A flood brought on by heavy rain in Palestine, Texas, has left a trail of destruction in its wake and killed six people, including four children.
Early Saturday, five of the victims were identified as 64-year-old Lenda Asberry, and her four great-grandchildren: 9-year-old Venetia Asberry, 8-year-old Devonte Asberry, 7-year-old Von Anthony Johnson Jr. and 6-year-old Jamonika Johnson. Additionally, 30-year-old Giovani Oliva was swept away by the flash flood waters.
“She had all four kids trying to lift them up out the water. I don’t know how she was doing it,” said Asberry’s son, Doniell Hudnall.
Hudnall said that Asberry was the legal guardian for the four children and noted that these were children that “she loved as if they were her own.”
“Loved by their aunties, loved by their uncles, loved by the great-grandmother. She basically gave her life trying to save them,” nephew Derrick Asberry said.
The flooding came on so suddenly that those in its path were unprepared for its destruction.
“The water came down the hill. The street was full of mud, so the water just came up. With the enormous amount of rain we had, we had people tell us that within minutes, the water was waist deep,” Palestine Police Capt. James Muniz explained. “I’ve worked for the police for 22 years. This has never happened on that street like this, ever.”