Several deaths; Missing – Tornado damage north of DFW Metroplex

FORT WORTH – (WBAP/KLIF) – At least five people were reported killed after one or more tornadoes ripped through the Sanger/Valley View area Saturday evening. Damage is reported in Cooke and Denton counties. More victims are likely, according to officials, who responded to calls for help when a travel center on Interstate 35 collapsed, with people inside apparently seeking shelter.

Daneil Huckaby, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, told WBAP News that a tornado would have sparked events in Eastland County, but it was just after dark that the supercell storm system developed , spawning at least one tornado that destroyed homes, businesses and crossed 35, leaving behind a tractor-trailer. platforms overturned and in disarray.

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington reported 60 to 80 people were injured in the AP Travel Center during the storm; located at I-35 and Lone Oak Road. Sappington estimates the death toll is likely to rise, due to extensive damage in the FRF areas, where teams worked overnight on search and rescue efforts. At least two other children are missing in Cooke County.

The National Weather Service sent a few survey teams to the hard-hit region to determine the number of tornadoes and their intensity.

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