A Cooke County mother and two of her children were tragically killed during the tornado that swept through North Texas on Saturday night.
The Esparza family informed NBC 5 that Laura Esparza, her 15-year-old daughter Miranda, and her 9-year-old son Marco perished while trying to shelter from the storm.
“They were waiting on their bathroom floor for the tornado to pass, but the wind picked up their mobile home and dragged them about 100 feet,” said family member Jesus Cancino.
Twenty-four hours after the severe storm ravaged four North Texas counties, state and local leaders emphasized that these communities would spend the coming days clearing the debris.
“Texans across the state are saddened by the tragic loss of life,” said Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Officials reported that more than 38,000 homes and businesses remained without power as of Sunday night, and no additional missing persons were reported in connection with the storm.
The governor signed a disaster declaration seeking aid for the families in more than 370 homes damaged or destroyed by the storm, as well as for the loved ones of the seven people killed in the tornado.
“When they woke up yesterday, they had no way of knowing their family would be literally crushed by this horrific storm,” Abbott said.
Among those grieving were the Esparzas.
The Cooke County family said Laura and Refugio Esparza and their three children were taking shelter when their home was lifted and flung by the winds.
“My brother-in-law said it took less than a minute,” Cancino said. “He said he just laid there, and all of a sudden, the electricity went out. He didn’t know anything more until he woke up in the hospital this morning.”
Laura Esparza, her daughter Miranda, and her son Marco were killed, their bodies found on the other side of the street under several trucks.
In his hospital bed, Laura Esparza’s husband learned nearly all of his family was gone.
“We didn’t even want to tell him because we knew he would be in bad shape when he found out,” Cancino said. “But we had to tell him, and he’s really devastated.”
Amidst the devastation, the family said moving forward felt nearly impossible at the moment, but they planned to keep going for those who needed them most.
“His family,” said Cancino. “Losing three family members at once, it’s terrible.”
Anyone wishing to support the Esparza family can donate to their GoFundMe campaign.
Cooke County has also established an official community relief fund for the tornado victims at First United Bank in Gainesville. The bank can be reached at 940-665-3484.
