A month and a half after the devastating Valley View tornado, cleanup efforts are still ongoing in the small Cooke County community. Debris piles remain stacked high along Green Meadow Drive, where the E-F3 twister caused significant destruction over the Memorial Day weekend. The storm claimed seven lives, including four children.
Across the interstate in Southeast Valley View, Smith Farms, a beloved local farm owned by Todd and Lisa Smith, is also recovering and seeking volunteer assistance this weekend. The sustainable farm and its livestock suffered extensive damage from the tornado.
Lisa Smith reports that they have cleared 60 acres of debris but still have a long way to go. “The problem that we’re faced with right now is the grass is growing, and after we had all that rain after the storm, the grass is growing and so it’s started to cover the debris, making it difficult to pick it all up,” she explained on Friday.
The storm destroyed fencing, and the debris poses a risk to the animals, forcing the Smiths to sell their cattle. They still have a few pigs and continue their honey and egg business, which many locals rely on. The Smiths are grateful for the support and volunteers who have helped so far and are hoping for more assistance this Saturday from 7 a.m. to noon. Volunteers are asked to wear work boots, pants, and bring sturdy work gloves. Water and sports drinks will be provided.
In June, Cooke County Emergency Management announced that FEMA has distributed over $2.5 million to affected residents in the county. However, the Smiths are not among the recipients. “No, they said that we don’t qualify because we have insurance, even though we’re very underinsured,” Lisa said.
Despite the challenges, the Smiths remain positive, recognizing that they are not the only ones affected. “We alone probably still have six months’ worth of cleanup, if not longer,” Lisa noted. “The rest of the community still has a lot of rebuilding to do. Yes, we’re a month and a half on from it, but it’s not going to go away quickly. It’s going to take a long time to rebuild.”
Several fundraisers are planned to support those affected by the Valley View tornado. This Sunday, July 14, Texas country music artist Cody Jinks and Red River Station in Saint Jo are hosting an outdoor fundraiser. General admission tickets are $150, and Jinks will perform at 7 p.m. All profits from ticket, food, and drink sales will go to residents affected by tornadoes in Cooke and Montague Counties, according to co-owner Kathryn Goff, who noted that ticket sales have already surpassed $90,000.
Additionally, Anderson’s Eatery and Distillery in Denton will hold a Valley View Tornado Relief festival on July 27 from noon to 10 p.m. The event will feature music, food, and raffles, and organizers will be collecting new clothing, shoes, backpacks, and other essential items for those in need.
