Body of 10-Year-Old Girl Found After Texas Floods

BRENHAM, Texas -- In a tragic turn of events, rescue teams have recovered the body of a 10-year-old girl who was swept away by rising floodwaters in Texas. The girl, identified as Devah Woods, was a third-grade student at Brenham Elementary School. Her body was located approximately 1.2 miles from where she was last seen.

The incident occurred on a Monday afternoon when Woods and her sister were walking home from school around 4 p.m. They encountered flooding from a nearby creek, which rapidly rose due to heavy rains. While the details surrounding Woods' disappearance are unclear, her sister reportedly ran for help after witnessing the incident. A bystander and a police officer attempted to rescue her but were unsuccessful, with the bystander able to retrieve her backpack but not the girl herself.

Following the incident, rescue operations commenced promptly, with teams utilizing dogs and drones equipped with thermal imaging technology to locate the missing child. Due to severe thunderstorms that moved through the area overnight, the water rescue efforts were temporarily suspended but resumed early Tuesday morning with four swift water rescue teams.

Authorities confirmed the discovery of Woods' body around 10:45 a.m. on Tuesday, as reported by a dive team from the Texas Department of Public Safety. The local police expressed their condolences to the family during a news conference, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation on the tight-knit community.

The girl's mother was present at the news conference but did not make a statement. The community of Brenham, which boasts a population of around 19,000 and lies approximately 70 miles northwest of Houston, is mourning the loss of a young life.

Mayor Atwood Kenjura remarked on the overwhelming response from the community, emphasizing their close-knit and supportive nature. The local school district has offered support services to students and staff affected by this tragedy, expressing their sorrow and urging the community to keep Woods' family in their thoughts and prayers.

As the situation unfolds, the National Weather Service has issued warnings for additional severe storms, predicting up to 6 inches of rain in southeastern Texas. Flood watches are in effect for a broad area, including parts of New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, raising concerns over further flooding and hazardous conditions.

Recent weather events have already caused significant disruptions, including road washouts and numerous flight cancellations across southern Oklahoma and northern Texas. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, as the safety of residents remains a top priority.