Severe Flooding in Oklahoma Claims Lives, Traps Vehicles Amid Storms

MOORE, Okla. — Dangerous flooding in central Oklahoma resulted in the deaths of a 12-year-old boy and a woman on April 20, 2025, as severe storms wreaked havoc across the region. The Moore Police Department reported numerous incidents involving vehicles trapped in high water, describing the storms as a ‘historical weather event.’

The woman and the boy were in a vehicle that was washed into a creek and subsequently wedged against a drainage pipe. A third passenger was able to escape and was taken to the hospital in serious condition. During a search operation by Moore police and neighboring agencies, the bodies of the woman and child were recovered.

Rachel McNear, principal of Apple Creek Elementary, confirmed the unfortunate news in a letter to parents, identifying the boy as Rivers Bond. ‘It is with profound sadness that I share the heartbreaking news that one of our sixth-grade students… tragically passed away during the severe flooding,’ McNear wrote.

Moore police noted a significant increase in water levels, stating they were ‘significantly higher than we’ve seen in recent years.’ Many residents reported that their vehicles became stranded in the high waters earlier in the evening.

While flooding levels have receded, police warned about large debris remaining on roads, posing risks for motorists. The severe weather extended beyond Moore, hitting multiple states in the South, with tornado and flood warnings issued for several counties in Texas and Oklahoma.

As the storms moved east, forecasters predicted a heightened tornado threat for Sunday, affecting over 20 million people from Illinois to Louisiana, including cities like St. Louis, Memphis, Little Rock, and Shreveport.

As of early Sunday morning, millions remained under flood watches, with anticipated rainfall totaling between 2 to 3 inches across the impacted areas. Some locations may experience over 5 inches of rain, increasing the risk of flooding.

The flooding risk is compounded by the previously saturated ground from earlier storms earlier in April, making it precarious for many regions.