Southern Plains Flooding: At Least 31 Killed in Texas and Oklahoma; Texas' Trinity River Breaches Levees

Sean Breslin
Published: May 31,2015



 

Officials continue to deal with the aftermath of the catastrophic flooding that killed dozens and left several missing in Oklahoma and Texas over the last few days.
The Trinity River breached levees Sunday night, flooding Bristol, Texas, area homes, according to the National Weather Service. Residents were urged to act quickly and move to higher ground.

Submerged downtown connector in Atlanta.
(Glenn Warren)

Texas made history during this flooding ordeal, receiving a statewide average of 7.54 inches of rain so far this month, shattering the record of 6.66 inches in June 2004.
(MORE: When Will All This Rain End?)
At least 31 deaths have been reported from flooding and tornadoes over the last week. Several bodies have been identified, including that of 6-year-old Andrew McComb Friday night. In addition, at least 7 remain missing. Here are the latest impacts from both Texas and Oklahoma.

Louisiana

Heavy rains brought flash flooding to New Orleans Sunday, inundating several streets across the city, NOLA.com reported. Some vehicles stalled on the entrance and exit ramps of Interstate 610, and authorities are asking motorists to avoid certain roadways due to flooding.

Texas 

Some Bristol, Texas, area homes were flooded Sunday night as the Trinity River breached various levees, the National Weather Service reported.
Saturday storms brought more flooding to Houston, but according to spokesman Jeff Lindner of Harris County Flood Control District, the storms were moving, providing for a less-serious and more routine situation, the Associated Press said. Minor floodwaters inundated Minute Maid Park while the Houston Astros played, as well.
A woman's body was recovered from the Blanco River late Saturday afternoon, the AP reported. The body was found between San Marcos and Wimberley, Texas. The woman's identity has yet to be determined. Another unidentified woman's body was discovered Saturday morning.
Early Saturday morning, Dallas Love Field issued a ground stop on all flights taking off to avoid storms. The ground stop was lifted within a couple hours.
The body of a young boy discovered near the Blanco River on Wednesday was identified as 6-year-old Andrew McComb, KIII-TV reported. The boy's grandfather Joe McComb revealed the identity to the station Friday evening. McComb's mother and sister are still missing, and his father Jonathan was released from the hospital.
The McComb's were staying in a vacation home, located in the town of Wimberley, which was washed away by floodwaters while several families were inside, celebrating the Memorial Day weekend. Of the nine people believed to be inside the house at the time of the horrific ordeal, one has been found alive and two bodies have been recovered.
"We're not going to stop looking until we've found them," said Alan Daniel in an NBC News report. He's the brother-in-law of Michelle Carey-Charba, whose body was found and identified Wednesday.
Friday night President Obama signed a disaster declaration allowing the state to utilize federal funding in recovery efforts stemming from severe weather that started May 4.
The funding will assist in immediate aid like temporary housing and more long-term necessities like home repairs.
(MORE: Life-Threatening Floods Swamp Metroplex Overnight Thursday)
Authorities say a man drowned overnight in Mesquite, Texas, after he was swept away in his truck, The Dallas Morning News said.
Another flood victim's body was discovered Thursday in the Houston Ship Channel, KHOU-TV reported. Jack Alter, 87, and his wife Shirley Alter, 85, died during a failed rescue attempt in Tuesday's floods. Alter drowned in Brays Bayou, and his body was discovered by someone in a tug boat.
A mandatory evacuation order was lifted Saturday evening for residents of Wharton, Texas, Click2Houston.com reported. Mayor Domingo Montalvo had issued the order Friday afternoon.
The body of a 51-year-old fisherman swept away by floodwaters in the Brazos River was believed to be discovered on a southeast Texas beach Friday by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the Associated Press said. The victim's identity has not been released.
Gov. Greg Abbott expanded a disaster declaration to include 24 more counties Friday afternoon, bringing the total to 70 counties under the declaration, according to the AP.
Flooding returned to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex overnight Thursday, dumping more than a half-foot of additional rain in some areas. It led to water rescues and officially broke the Metroplex's all-time record for May rainfall.
Floodwaters inundated 75 homes in Shallowater Thursday afternoon, KCBD-TV reported. Lubbock County Emergency Management is collaborating with the American Red Cross to provide shelter and meet shelter needs for those affected. A woman was rescued by Good Samaritans after her car became stuck in floodwaters in Lubbock.
As the days drag on and search crews pore over acres of flooded land, it would be easy for family members to lose hope that they'll be reunited with loved ones who were swept away by the current. But in Hays County, Texas, friends and family refuse to give up until they find each one of the missing, dead or alive.
(MORE: The 8 Craziest Photos We Saw From Houston's Flooding)
The extreme, persistent rainfall in Houston drew comparisons to tropical systems that swamped the region in the past.

During a Tuesday morning press conference, Houston Mayor Annise Parker also confirmed there were more than 500 water rescues performed Monday night in the Houston area, and thousands remained without power into Wednesday. Officials said that at least 2,500 vehicles were abandoned by drivers Monday.
One person remains unaccounted for in the Houston area.

Alligator found in parking garage following Houston flooding.
(Rebecca Duensing )

Elsewhere in the Lone Star State, Damien Blade, 14, was confirmed dead in DeSoto after authorities found him in a storm drain Monday, the Dallas Morning News said. The teen went missing Sunday with two of his dogs. One of the two dogs was found dead near the boy's body.
(MORE: How This Flood Event Compares To Past Floods In Houston)
Floodwaters swept away 18-year-old Alyssa Ramirez in Devine as she drove back from prom celebrations Sunday night. Fox San Antonio reports that crews found her body and the vehicle Monday morning.

Oklahoma

With more rainfall on the way, nearly 30 state and U.S. highways remain closed Friday in at least 18 counties, the state department of transportation told the AP.
"Do NOT drive into high water," the Oklahoma DOT warned. "Drivers are cautioned to heed warning signs and to not drive around barricades."
Seven were confirmed dead from flooding and tornadoes over the last few days in Oklahoma, including a Claremore firefighter who died during a water rescue, and a 33-year-old woman who died in a storm-related traffic accident in Tulsa.
(MORE: May's Flooding And Rain Records)
A 37-year-old man was killed in Sapulpa due to the severe weather, according to the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management.
On Monday, authorities found a 19-year-old dead in Pawnee and a 91-year-old man dead in Tulsa.
A 34-year-old man died from flooding Friday.
In Blue, a woman died when a tornado destroyed her mobile home Monday, according to the Associated Press.
Claremore firefighter Jason Farley died in the process of rescuing residents caught in floodwaters, state emergency officials say.

Utah

About 100 homes were flooded due to flash flooding Wednesday in Gunnison Valley.
“We had a river going through here,” Gunnison’s Steve Grimshaw told KSL.com. “And we just rediscovered where all of the water used to run before there were homes here.”
Although the area recovered Thursday, mud still remains, KSL.com reports. Damage to the insides of homes was limited, but yards and landscaping were impacted as well.