The tragic recovery of a young girl swept away in rapidly rising floodwaters has brought sadness to the community of Brenham, Texas. Authorities announced that the body of Devah Woods, a 10-year-old student at Brenham Elementary School, was found following her disappearance on Monday. The grisly discovery comes as predictions indicate more heavy rainfall and potential flooding in the Houston region and along the Texas coast.
On Monday afternoon, Devah and her sister were on their way home from school when they encountered floodwaters emanating from a nearby creek, according to city spokesperson Melinda Gordon. While it’s unclear if Devah slipped or was drawn into the creek, her sister sought assistance immediately. Despite efforts from a witness and a Brenham police officer, they were unable to rescue her, with the man retrieving only her backpack before she vanished. Both rescuers received medical attention but were later released.
The rescue operation extended through Monday night, employing dogs and advanced drones equipped with thermal imaging to locate the girl. Operations were briefly reduced due to severe thunderstorms, but resumed at dawn with the renewed assistance of four swift-water rescue teams. The coordinated search involved more than a dozen agencies, demonstrating the immense support from the region.
It was not until a dive team from the Texas Department of Public Safety informed authorities around mid-morning that Devah’s body had been discovered, lying 1.2 miles from where she was last seen. Lt. Steven Eilert of the Brenham Police expressed deep sorrow during a news conference, conveying the community’s grief and condolences to Devah’s family.
Her mother was present at the news briefing but chose not to address the public. Brenham’s Mayor, Atwood Kenjura, highlighted the unified and compassionate response from the community, which has a population of approximately 19,000 and is located 70 miles northwest of Houston. The outcome, he lamented, was not what anyone desired. Meanwhile, Brenham Independent School District has initiated support services for students and staff at Devah’s school to help them cope with the loss.
The district released a message via social media asking for continued thoughts and prayers for Devah’s family during these trying times. As the community mourns, parts of southeastern Texas brace for further storms predicted to deliver up to 6 inches of rain, potentially exacerbating flooding conditions. Hazardous surf conditions and flooding risks are expected along Gulf-coastal areas, particularly during high tides.
Many regions across Texas and nearby states such as New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi remain under flood watch. Recent storms in the area have already caused substantial disruption, with roads washed out and numerous flight cancellations.