Texas Floods: Young Boy Dead as Search and Rescue Operations Continue
A 4-year-old boy's body was recovered from floodwaters near Fort Worth, Texas, as search and rescue operations continue amid the massive floods all over the state. The severe weather could also affect nearby states, such as Oklahoma and Kansas.
This was the first reported fatality in the series of storms that led to the massive flooding in Texas, which also affected the city of Houston. Over a third of the state's counties have now declared a state of disaster for their respective areas.
Johnson County Emergency Management Coordinator Jamie Moore announced that the little boy's body was found after authorities responded to a call around 2 AM over a vehicle becoming stuck in the rapidly increasing floodwaters. The boy was inside the stuck vehicle.
CNN reported that the boy was identified as Lucas Warren. He was with his parents as they tried to desperately escape their car when the flood waters made it stick. A 911 caller reported the incident and said the three were swept into the floodwaters as they were trying to get to safe ground.
His parents got out, but the little boy did not. They were rescued by first responders around 5 AM and were soon transported to a nearby hospital. The boy was supposed to turn 5 in three weeks.
"A current came up real high, and he just let go," said his mother, Chelsey Warren. "And I didn't hear anything from him. I think he just went under."
"I hope you will keep this family in your prayers," his mother told CNN in a statement. A GoFundMe page has been set up for his family.
Texas Flood Begins Receding in Houston
While several areas in Texas are still flooded, floodwaters in the Houston area, as well as parts of Southeast Texas, have begun to recede. This has allowed residents to begin returning to their homes and assess damages. Many were forced to flee as the floodwaters began to rise.
As the floodwaters begin receding, Governor Greg Abbott has confirmed there were at least three deaths in the state, including young Lucas. The receding floodwaters came after Texas finally had some sunny weather after days of heavy rainfall.
States Near to Texas Also in Danger of Floods and Other Disasters
While Texas was hammered by floods and heavy rain, states near it, particularly Kansas and Oklahoma, are in danger of experiencing dangerous weather as ominous clouds have begun forming in Oklahoma while apple-sized hail of 3 inches in diameter has begun to fall in Kansas.
Between these two states and parts of Texas, around 3.4 million people, 1,614 schools, and 159 hospitals are now under the most severe threat of tornadoes, the National Weather Service warned. Parts of these states are on high alert as floods, long-track tornadoes, hurricane-force winds, and baseball-sized hail may affect certain areas.
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This article is owned by Latin Post.
Written by: Rick Martin
WATCH: 8 million under flood threat as deadly flood water engulfs Southeast Texas - NBC News