Mother and Son Die in Floodwaters During Severe Weather in Moore, Oklahoma

MOORE, Okla. — A mother and her 12-year-old son have died after their vehicle was swept away in floodwaters during severe weather on Saturday night, April 19. The Moore Police Department responded to reports of a swift water rescue involving two vehicles near Southeast 12th Street and S Eastern Avenue.

According to officials, at approximately 9 p.m., the vehicle containing the mother and son was washed into a creek and later located wedged against a drainage pipe. “At the time of the incident, all but two occupants were rescued,” the police department stated in a news release. “It is with great sadness that we report that two individuals, an adult female and a 12-year-old male, were later located deceased.”

The victims have been identified as Erika Lott, 44, and her son, Rivers Bond, 12. Rivers was a sixth-grade student at Apple Creek Elementary School. Principal Rachel McNear communicated this tragic news to the school community, emphasizing the need for understanding and support among students as they process the loss.

“It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that one of our sixth-grade students, Rivers Bond, and his mother tragically passed away during the severe flooding,” McNear wrote in a letter.” She highlighted Rivers’ joyful nature, noting his ability to make others smile.

Londyn, a 12-year-old classmate, remembered Rivers as a funny kid who knew how to lift spirits. “He always knew how to make us smile,” she said. “It was just so confusing. I felt really bad.”

Meanwhile, a fundraiser has been established for Jason Lott, the husband of Erika and stepfather to Rivers. “Jason was the lone survivor in this tragedy,” the description for the GoFundMe campaign stated. “Words cannot express the heaviness of this loss. It’s time for our community to support Jason on his worst day.”

The severe weather that struck Moore resulted in “dozens of high-water incidents,” with authorities expressing concern over the rising floodwaters that have caused significant devastation in the area. Drivers are advised to remain cautious as debris from the flooding continues to pose hazards on roadways.