Moore, Oklahoma, a suburb of Oklahoma City, experienced two fatalities on Saturday night when floodwaters swept away a vehicle carrying a 12-year-old boy and his mother, Erika Lott, according to authorities. The deadly floods struck Oklahoma after severe rainfall inundated the area, trapping approximately a dozen vehicles in high water, with water surging over curbs in specific locations, as reported by the Moore Police Department.

One vehicle left the waterlogged road and was swept under a bridge. Of the three occupants in the submerged vehicle, one survived and was hospitalised in stable condition, while the bodies of Lott and her son, Rivers Bond, were discovered later in a nearby creek. Moore Police described the weather event as “historical,” noting it impacted roads and resulted in numerous high-water incidents across the city.​

Rescue operations involved ground crews, drones, and dive teams searching the creek beneath the bridge where the truck was pinned. Dramatic footage showed an emergency responder suspended by a harness above the swift-moving water, attempting to reach the vehicle. Additionally, video footage depicted a person wading through waist-deep floodwaters beside a submerged car. ​

Storms Continue to Threaten Southern and Midwestern States

On Easter Sunday, a line of hazardous thunderstorms swept across the southern and midwestern U.S., posing a threat to over 45 million people. The system, stretching from East Texas to southeastern Iowa and Illinois, brought flooding and the potential for tornadoes.​

In Moore, storms were expected to persist through Sunday. The National Weather Service in Norman has issued a warning for additional flash flooding, which is anticipated to worsen during the early morning hours. By Saturday, multiple water rescues had already occurred in the region.​

The Storm Prediction Center issued a warning for damaging winds and large hail that could impact Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. Tornado watches were in effect Sunday for parts of those two states, as well as eastern Oklahoma and portions of southwestern, central, and northern Texas.​

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Rescue Operations Underway in Texas and Beyond

A powerful storm caused high water in Montague County, Texas, approximately 80 miles northwest of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, necessitating boat rescues, according to CBS News Texas. As of Saturday night, there were no reports of injuries or damage to homes or businesses, despite the areas being soaked.

The strongest storms over the weekend were predicted to weaken by Monday. However, with ongoing tornado alerts and the potential for continued flash floods in affected regions, officials remained on high alert. The deadly floods struck Oklahoma and served as a stark reminder of the severity of the weather system impacting the southern and midwestern states.

The Moore Police Department extended its sympathies to the relatives and friends of the victims and expressed gratitude to neighbouring agencies for their assistance in the rescue efforts.

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