Flash floods sweep across Texas, killing 4-year-old in Johnson County

Rushing waters flooded parts of Texas early Sunday following torrential rains, prompting hundreds of rescues from homes, rooftops and washed-out roads.

Water swept roads in rural Johnson County, south of Fort Worth. A child died in the floods.

A social media post Sunday morning from Johnson County Emergency Management said he was 5 years old. Later Sunday, the Tarrant County medical examiner’s website identified him as 4-year-old Lucas Warren of Burleson.

Related:More rain headed for swamped Houston

At one point, a rescuer also became trapped in high water, the post said.

Around 5 a.m., first responders rescued the man and woman, who were taken to the hospital. A little over two hours later, at 7:20 a.m., they found the boy’s body in the water.

“I hope you will keep this family in your prayers,” the department wrote.

In a GoFundMe post, someone who identified himself as the brother of Lucas’ father said the death of the 4-year-old is the “hardest thing” the family has experienced.

“The accident totaled their only car, ruined their phones, and swept away their wallets,” the post read. “They are in extreme need and anything y’all can contribute will be used to pay for Lucas’ funeral and help rebuild their lives.”

In dallas, both the Trinity River and White Rock Creek near downtown flooded overnight Saturday, according to the National Weather Service in Fort Worth. Walnut Creek in mansfield also flooded.

Rain totals varied widely across the region. Dallas Love Field reported 3.5 inches of rain in 24 hours ending at 7 a.m. Sunday. During the same period, DFW International Airport reported 1.15 inches.

Related:Texas weather set to go more extreme, report predicts

In Tarrant County, the downpour disrupted repairs to two large wastewater pipes, leaking sewage into nearby rivers.

Crews on Saturday morning found a 78-inch wastewater line leaking into a creek that flows to the Trinity River. Attempts to repair the pipe in the 7900 block of Trinity Boulevard failed because of the pressure and flow, the Fort Worth water department said in a news release. Overnight rains then washed out a dam built to contain the overflow. Once the water level recedes, the department said, crews will rebuild the dam and pump out wastewater.

Late Friday, a piece of a 33-inch wastewater line became exposed due to erosion of a creek bank. Storms delayed repairs, and the pipe, near 5301 E. Belknap St. in Haltom City, began leaking Saturday to Little Fossil Creek. Crews worked to repair that leak Sunday.

City officials estimate each leak is discharging about 30 gallons of sewage a minute. Drinking water is not affected, but people should avoid contact with water and soil in the area.

A wide region has been swamped from Houston to rural East Texas, where game wardens rode airboats through waist-high waters this weekend rescuing people and pets who did not evacuate in time. One crew brought a family and three dogs aboard as rising waters surrounded their cars and home.

“It’s going to keep rising this way,” said Miguel Flores Jr., of the northeast Houston neighborhood of Kingwood. “We don’t know how much more. We’re just preparing for the worst.”

Related:Did April bring more rain than normal to Dallas-Fort Worth? Compared to recent years, yes

Rain in North Texas has largely subsided Sunday, with only a small chance of pop-up storms forecasted for the afternoon, said Matt Bishop, a weather service meteorologist. A flood watch expired at 1 p.m. Sunday.

“There could be some residual flooding,” said Juan Hernandez, a weather service meteorologist. “Don’t drive into high water. It’s impossible to know how deep it is.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Related:Houston flooding with more rain to come

Credits