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Monday 2 May 2016

62-Year Old Woman & Her Four Grandchildren Killed After Getting Swept Away From Their Home During Devastating Texas Flash Flood



A 62-year-old and her four young grandchildren have died after being swept away from their home during devastating Texas flash flood. A family member identified the victims as Lenda Asberry, Voniyaejah Johnson, 9, Devonte Johnson, 8, Von Anthony Watkins, 7, and Jamonica Johnson, 6.

'The water was up to the roofline of the homes and that's what prevented the people from being able to get away,' said Captain James Muniz of the Palestine Police Department.

'The water just came up too fast.' More than 7 inches of rain fell in less than half an hour on Friday night.


Muniz said that six to 10 homes in a Palestine cul-de-sac were severely damaged following the heavy rainfall.



Police said that several people called to tell them that the grandmother and her children were missing.
Tragic: The four children were identified as Voniyaejah Johnson, 9, Devonte Johnson, 8, Von Anthony Watkins, 7, and Jamonica Johnson, 6 (all pictured); it is unclear when this photo was taken
Tragic: The four children were identified as Voniyaejah Johnson, 9, Devonte Johnson, 8, Von Anthony Watkins, 7, and Jamonica Johnson, 6 (all pictured); it is unclear when this photo was taken
Lenda AshberryLenda Ashberry
Hearbreaking: Asberry and her grandchildren were killed during a flood that took over their home in Palestine, Texas early on Saturday 
'The water was up to the roofline of the homes and that's what prevented the people from being able to get away,' said Captain James Muniz of the Palestine Police Department
'The water was up to the roofline of the homes and that's what prevented the people from being able to get away,' said Captain James Muniz of the Palestine Police Department
Inside the flooded home in Palestine. One neighbor told authorities that he saw the family but lost sight of them as he waded through waist-deep water
Inside the flooded home in Palestine. One neighbor told authorities that he saw the family but lost sight of them as he waded through waist-deep water
Police said that several people called to tell them that the grandmother and her children were missing
Police said that several people called to tell them that the grandmother and her children were missing

'We started to get overwhelmed with calls,' said Muniz.
'We had fire and other city workers out looking for them and once the water receded, we found them,' he told NBC.  
Officials say that floodwaters from a creek swept Giovani Olivas, a 30-year-old man also from Palestine, away from his vehicle off U.S. 79 shortly after midnight.  
'The water was rising so he got out of his vehicle. Some folks on the other side of the creek tried to help him, and he didn't make it,' Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said. 'He washed away.'
Olivas was the flood's sixth victim. 
Palestine police say all six bodies have been taken to Tyler for autopsies, which will be completed on Monday. 
Residents who evacuated their homes are now trying to see if they can save their personal belongings from the damage.


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