Victims of North Texas Tornadoes Identified, Residents Rally Around the Families

[photo courtesy GoFundMe: Miranda, Laura and Marco Esparza]

NORTH TEXAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – As North Texas communities continue a long road to recovery in the wake of last weekend’s deadly storms, we’re learning more about the victims of a tornado that touched down in Cooke County Saturday night.

Seven people were killed, more than 100 injured and hundreds of homes and structures were destroyed across Cooke, Denton and Collin Counties.

Three victims were identified as Laura Esparza and her children 15-year-old daughter Miranda Esparza and 9-year-old Marco Esparza.

Their family created a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses and asked for prayers.

“If you cannot donate, please pray for the families as they work through this tremendous loss,” wrote organizer Allison Nelson.

A Cooke County official confirmed Monday that 5-year-old Tyrique McCrary and his 2-year-old sister Essence McCrary were killed. The two siblings were found in a pond behind their neighbor’s home.

Their 12-year-old sister Zamiya is hospitalized with back injuries. Our media partner WFAA TV reports Zamiya was babysitting her siblings while her mother went to pick up her husband from work when the storm hits.

Victor Ortiz was also among the victims. His family set up a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral expenses.

Authorities confirmed Lloyd Watson as the seventh victim of the EF-3 tornado that hit the area.

The Valley View Community Center is opening Tuesday morning for tornado victims to come for shelter, food relief and apply for emergency aid.

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