The Brenham, Texas, community is in mourning after the body of 10-year-old Devah Woods was found by rescue crews, as reported by NTD. Woods, a student at Brenham Elementary, was swept away by flash floodwaters on Monday while she attempted to walk home from school with her sister.
Upon encountering a swollen creek, the circumstances became perilous, the surge proved too strong, however it is still unclear whether the girl slipped or the current overpowered her, her sister sought help leading to an immediate response from local authorities and bystanders, Brenham police officers and a male witness attempted a daring rescue nonetheless, they could not battle the fierce waters, both the officer and the witness were later treated for their injuries, this according to a statement by city spokesperson Melinda Gordon obtained by CBS Austin.
The body was located 1.2 miles from where Devah was last seen, a grim outcome after extensive search operations by the Brenham Fire Department and supporting agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety who ultimately located her, Lt. Steven Eilert lamented the tragedy during a news conference saying, “We have taken care of her as much as we could. Our hearts go out to (her) family. It is a difficult thing,” as reported by NTD.
Mayor Atwood Kenjura pointed out the Brenham community's unity and spirit in the face of the disaster, while the search was aided by more than a dozen agencies and utilized advanced resources like drones with thermal imaging and specially trained dogs, the city was left grappling with the heartrending loss of one of its young inhabitants, support services have been offered at Brenham Elementary to assist students and staff with their grief, the Brenham Independent School District conveyed its deep condolences, stating “Our hearts are broken for Devah’s family, and we ask that you continue to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time,” as NTD reported.
As the region still grapples with recovery efforts from last week’s severe storms, the National Weather Service has warned of continued severe weather posing further risks to southeastern Texas and the Gulf Coast, with past floods causing significant disruptions across southern Oklahoma and northern Texas, the community is reminded of nature's unpredictable power and the profound devastation it can leave in its wake.
