North Texas and Texoma

An EF3 tornado crossed southern Cooke County near Valley View on May 25, 2024, killing 7 and injuring 100 along a 47-mile track. Texas General Land Office grants are open to Cooke County residents damaged in those storms (disaster DR-4781); they repair or reimburse damage but cannot buy new storm shelters. The county's own safe room rebate is the route for a shelter.

Grayson County sees tornadoes too, and its Office of Emergency Management, under the County Judge, runs CodeRED emergency notifications alongside the shelter registry. In Cooke County the emergency management coordinator and fire marshal post is vacant, likely until January 2027, and the County Judge's office (940-668-5435) handles requests meanwhile. After hail or wind damage, the roofing guide explains how a Texas roof claim is paid.

Unincorporated Grayson County has no zoning except the Lake Ray Roberts Zoning District and the North Texas Regional Airport regulation, though deed restrictions and HOAs may still apply. Its Fire Marshal permits new commercial, public and multifamily buildings of four or more units. Septic permits go through Grayson County Development Services on MyPermitNow, and floodplain development permits follow a Flood Damage Prevention Order dated August 2, 2022. In Cooke County, the OSSF inspector (940-372-0487) handles septic permits and inspections.

Inside Sherman, every contractor must register with the city, and state-licensed electrical, plumbing, mechanical and irrigation contractors do it through the Self Service Portal. Sherman and Valley View are on Oncor's list of cities served, though some edge areas may be on a co-op, so check your address. In Wichita Falls ZIP 76301 both Oncor and TNMP are wires utilities in ERCOT's retail-choice market. The electrician guide covers the state license to check.

Property is appraised by Grayson CAD (graysonappraisal.org, with an ARB evidence upload), the Cooke County Appraisal District (cookecad.org) and the Wichita Appraisal District, which accepts protests online. In most cases you have until May 15, or 30 days after the notice of appraised value is mailed if later, to file a protest.

Grayson County places

Grayson County civil cases are filed with the District Clerk at the Justice Center in Sherman.

• Sherman

Cooke County places

The Cooke County Subdivision & Development Department posts the county flood plain map.

• Valley View

Wichita County places

The Wichita Appraisal District is at 600 Scott Avenue, Suite 300, in Wichita Falls.

• Wichita Falls