Weather News

Collin County issues disaster declaration over tornado damage in Celina

Celina was hit hard by a tornado on May 25.

Facebook/City of Celina

A massive tornado swept through North Texas on May 25, wreaking extensive damage on the town of Celina, 43 miles north of Dallas — prompting Collin County judge Chris Hill to issue a disaster declaration.

According to a release, an unconfirmed F3 tornado struck Collin County, causing extensive damage in and near the city of Celina. Several homes have been completely destroyed, although there were no no fatalities.

Overnight, approximately 15,000 county residences were without power due to downed power lines. As of 11 am on May 26, that number had been reduced to 2,146 power outages.

Suspected tornadoes crossed central U.S., killing at least eight people, causing power outages, and forcing residents to shelter in-place on Memorial Day weekend, according to CNN. Areas affected included Cooke County, Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri, and Arkansas.

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington told CNN that five fatalities were reported, including three in one household, and two children. A reported tornado hit a mobile home park and a Shell Station Travel Center.

In Denton County, a possible tornado caused injuries, damaged several homes, overturned 18-wheelers, downed trees, and knocked out power lines, while Lake Ray Roberts Marina in Sanger sustained damage to boats and boat houses.

Denton tornado Tornado havoc to a building in Denton.Denton Fire Dept.

Two women, Valenia Gill and Brenda Procter Dance, were driving through Cooke County in Valley View, at I-35 and FM 3002, at 10:45 pm and got caught in the middle, which they documented with a cell phone video which currently has 153 million views. (Brenda has kindly set up a GoFundme to help Gill repair the damage her car endured.)

"I am heartbroken from the reports of devastation sustained by our friends and neighbors in Collin County last night," said Judge Hill in a statement. "Our teams from Collin County, Celina, and partnering agencies worked throughout the night and will continue working throughout the day to clear the debris from roadways and to assess the damage to homes."

Residents in immediate need of supplies and resources may contact GraceBridge, a nonprofit serving the families of Celina. GraceBridge will be open today at 402 South Oklahoma Dr. in Celina to accept donations of essential supplies and resources for families in need.

The Salvation Army of North Texas has also established a presence in several areas affected by the storm, including Lake Ray Roberts Marina, Celina, and Valley View, with units equipped to deliver food, water, and basic comforts directly to first responders and those in need within devastated areas.

In collaboration with The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Service (EDS) team, the Salvation Army has mobilized three mobile kitchens from Lewisville, Fort Worth, and Sherman and a Rapid Response Unit from Irving to provide critical support to the affected communities.

RIP Pete

Dallas businessman and former Schepps Dairy owner Pete Schenkel dies

Courtesy photo

Pete Schenkel

Dallas businessman Pete Schenkel, a philanthropist and former owner of Dallas-based Schepps Dairy, passed away at his Highland Park home on November 27 while in hospice care.

Born and raised in South Dallas where he worked on his father's dairy farm, Schenkel worked his way up from a Schepps Dairy deliverer to become an owner of the company in 1987. He went on to serve as President and owner of Southern Foods, which later sold to Suiza Foods and became Dean Foods, for which he also served as president and board member.

A statement from the city of Dallas says that Schenkel "leaves a legacy where he will be remembered for sharing his success with others and for his steadfast commitment to serve with pride and humility. Pete was unwavering in his dedication to making Dallas one of the safest large cities in the United States and was instrumental in promoting our economic growth and social vibrancy. We will strive to carry on his legacy by continuing to make Dallas a better place for all."

Founded by Harmon "Hymie" Schepps in 1942, Schepps Dairy traded hands and emerged from a bankruptcy under the primary ownership of Schenkel, who was Schepps' business partner. In 2000, the company was acquired by Suiza Foods Co., which then merged with Dallas-based Dean Foods the following year.

Schenkel was also involved in Dallas politics from the '80s to the '00s, both with sought-after endorsements as well as working on campaigns for mayoral candidates such as Jack Evans and Ron Natinsky.

In 2017, he was honored with an award from the NFF Gridiron Club for his role in helping bring football back to the Cotton Bowl on New Year's Day. He fought to keep the annual Texas-Oklahoma rivalry game at Cotton Bowl Stadium and has been the key negotiator in keeping the game there ever since.

Schenkel served on many influential boards that helped shape Dallas and North Texas, including chairing the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Board of Directors and the Methodist Health Care Foundation. After retiringm he remained active in nonprofit circles, helping direct a charitable fund with his wife, the Pat and Pete Schenkel Charitable Trust. He also served on the board of the Dallas Blue Foundation, which provides financial assistance to families of Dallas police officers killed or wounded in action.

His multiple awards and commendations including receiving the 82nd annual Linz Award for civic service in Dallas in 2011, as well as a Russell H. Perry Award from Dallas Baptist University, which lauded Schenkel for adhering to the highest ethical standards and being loyal to and respectful of friends and customers, as well as his modesty, shying away from the spotlight and shining it on others instead.

He's survived by his wife Pat, three children and seven grandchildren.

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