Cooke County Texas

Volunteer Forms (Pinned)

Individual Volunteer Form Group Volunteer Form

Print the right form, complete it, and bring it to the volunteer site at 101 S Lee St, Valley View, Texas. Bring your Driver license so that intake can make a copy of it with your form. There are no plans for online submission of volunteer forms right now. Thanks for your interest in volunteering!

May 30, 2024. 6:00 AM

It's inspiring to see the humanity in our county as our neighbors are working so hard to get their lives back in order.  Some aren't waking up in their home because it's been destroyed.  Many will wake up and continue to repair and rebuild their homes.  Most just need a little extra help to get through this event. The outpouring of support and hands on work by our friends and neighbors, fellow Texans and our neighbors in Oklahoma is an inspiration and reaffirms the belief that we live in a great community!  What's next?

Our work helping those impacted with the rebuilding process is ongoing.  Debris management will be ongoing.  We are working on getting collection locations developed so we can start consolidating the housing debris and vegetative debris throughout the affected area.  At this time the debris should be sorted into the five categories of; appliances, construction debris, vegetative, hazardous waste, and electronics then placed at the edge of your property where public crews can access it from the road.  We will not be able to come on private property so it needs to be as close to, without blocking or hindering traffic, the edge of the street or road as possible. 

If you would like to volunteer please contact 940-612-5323, our VOAD management team, and let them know what you can do or bring and your availability.  If you would like to donate cash, which is what is most needed at this time, please contact or go to 1st United Bank in Gainesville at Broadway and Dixon Streets.  Let them know you want to donate to the VOAD/Disaster account.  All monies will be allocated to this recovery effort in Cooke County.

Individual Volunteer Form Group Volunteer Form
(Print the right form, complete it, and bring it to the volunteer site at 101 S Lee St, Valley View, Texas. Bring your Driver license so that intake can make a copy of it with your form. There are no plans for online submission of volunteer forms right now.)

If you need assistance as a result of this event please contact the VOAD at the same number, 940-612-5323 with your need.  One part of what they do is connect those who want to help with those that need help.

Register with FEMA at 1-800-621-3362 or log in to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ for assistance.  FEMA representatives are already out and about in the impacted area visiting with residents.  If you haven't already please go to https://damage.tdem.texas.gov to document your damage.

Ray Fletcher
Cooke County Emergency Manager
https://www.facebook.com/cookecountyfiremarshal/

May 27, 2024. 10:00 PM

Today we moved out of the rescue phase of this disaster and into the recovery phase. This phase of disaster management is the longest and will be a challenge for everyone involved. Our goal is to help the property owners/those impacted by this event to get back to where they were.

Cooke County has been designated a Federal Disaster for damage received as a result of the tornado on 25 May, 2024, DR-4781-TX. Impacted residents are encouraged to call 1-800-621-3362 or log in to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/ for assistance.

A team (Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster or VOAD) has been set up to connect those wishing to provide assistance with those needing assistance. This can range from transportation, construction assistance, debris removal, or administrative assistance to name just a few areas. If you need assistance or can provide assistance please call 940-612-5323 to reach a VOAD volunteer who will take your information.

The National Weather Service in Fort Worth has adjusted the severity of the tornado that struck Cooke County up from and EF-2 to an EF-3. Thank you to all the volunteers, first responders, and others that have stepped up to support the effort to assist our neighbors.

Ray Fletcher
Cooke County Emergency Manager
https://www.facebook.com/cookecountyfiremarshal/

May 27, 2024. 8:00 PM

For those affected by the recent tornado, please follow these guidelines to safely and efficiently separate and remove debris from your property. We are actively working on a plan for debris removal.

By following these guidelines, you can help ensure a safe and efficient cleanup process. Thank you for your cooperation and resilience during this challenging time.

Ray Fletcher
Cooke County Emergency Manager
https://www.facebook.com/cookecountyfiremarshal/

May 27, 2024. 4:00 PM

Once more we wish to remember those lost in the tornado last night; may they rest in peace.  A primary search last night and a secondary search today resulted in the identification of 7 deceased victims of the 25 May, 2024 Cooke County tornado.  They were aged between 2 and 72 years old.  There were approximately 69 victims transported to various regional hospitals, and more were assisted or self transported.  Approximately 200 homes in the tornados path sustained major or worse damage.  An additional 100 homes sustained damage.

The tornado was studied by the National Weather Service in Fort Worth and assigned an EF-2, with 135mph winds. Our thanks once again to all the first responders and public employees who worked through the night to rescue residents, restore power, direct traffic, and more.  This region we live in, north Texas and southern Oklahoma is blessed with citizens of character.  They are not afraid to roll up their sleeves and help out a neighbor.  The best way to help out your neighbors is to donate cash.  There is an account managed by the Cooke County VOAD (volunteer organizations active in disaster) at the 1st United Bank on the corner of Dixon St and Broadway St.  Let the teller know you would like to donate to the VOAD Disaster account/fund.  The organization is managed by Cooke County residents who will ensure the money is used to assist local residents.  Homeowners who sustained damage should go to the website:  https://damage.tdem.texas.gov and report it.  This will possibly help our county with meeting the FEMA threshold for uninsured and underinsured damages.  

Donations of items such as bottled water, sports drinks, and non perishable food may be taken to the Valley View Community Center just off the southwest corner of the square.

Ray Fletcher
Cooke County Emergency Manager
https://www.facebook.com/cookecountyfiremarshal/

May 26, 2024. 6:00 PM

At 9:56 PM on May 25, 2024, a severe storm swept through Southern Cooke County, leaving a path of destruction along FM 922 to Rosston, south of Era, and onto the area at I-35 and Lone Oak Rd. The storm has caused significant damage to numerous homes and businesses, including the Gateway AP Travel Center, which received major damage. Emergency services are actively searching the debris for missing persons, and there have been numerous injuries of varying degrees reported.

In response to this disaster, a shelter has been opened for those in need of shelter and assistance at the First Baptist Church (ROC), located at 503 North Lee St., Valley View, TX. The American Red Cross is on-site, providing aid and support to those affected by the storm. Additionally, a feeding station for first responders and those directly impacted by the storm has been set up at the Valley View United Methodist Church, located at 201 Church St., Valley View, TX.

Statement from Emergency Management: "Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this devastating storm. We are working tirelessly to search for any missing persons and provide assistance to those in need. We urge everyone to stay safe and follow the guidance of emergency services. 

More information will be released as it becomes available. Residents are encouraged to monitor local news and official channels for updates.

A video is available of the press conference that was held with Texas Governor Greg Abbott at the AP Travel Center at 1700hrs on 5/26/24.

Ray Fletcher
Cooke County Emergency Manager
https://www.facebook.com/cookecountyfiremarshal/