Devastating Flash Flood Hits Texas, Kills Several, Forces Evacuation

One woman and her four grandchildren died after flood waters swept them away on Saturday at Palestine, Texas.

CNN reports that Lenda Asberry, 64 and her grandchildren Jamonicka Johnson, 6; Von Anthony Johnson Jr., 7; Devonte Asberry, 8; and Venetia Asberry, 9 tried to escape the rapidly increasing floodwater in the middle heavy rain fall and dark night.

A heavy rain creating quite a lot inches in less than an hour resulted in the hasty floodwater rise. Waters were already up to the roof of their low-lying house near the creek when the family managed to flee, which turned out to be a late escape.

"The water came up extremely quickly. The people tried to get out, but before they could get out, the water was already at the roof of the house," said James Muniz, police spokesperson.

Doniell Hudnall, Lenda Asberry's son suspects that his mother got weak after taking so many steps which resulted in her tragic death.

The bodies of the five victims were recovered three hours after the incident when the water finally receded. They have been turned over to Palestinian police for autopsy, according to The Guardian.

Meanwhile, a temporary shelter has been set up in Palestine by the Red Cross, 100 miles southeast of Dallas to house the 18,000 residents affected by the flood.

An emergency declaration has been signed by Bob Herrington, Palestine mayor saying that this is the first time in his 59 years of living in the city that he saw such amount of rain in such a short period of time.

Another body was recovered on the incident known as Giovani Olivas, 30. She was discovered by Merta White, one Palestine resident.

"I thought it was a mailbox, but then I realized what it really was, and I started screaming," said White, as per SF Gate.  

This video gives a glimpse on the actual site of the flash flood.