Flooding Brings Tragedy To Palestine Family
Follow CBSDFW.COM: Facebook | Twitter
PALESTINE (CBSDFW.COM) -A great-grandmother and four great-grandchildren died when floodwaters breached their home in Palestine Friday night.
Lenda Asberry, 64, and her great-grand kids ages 6 through 9, were the victims.
In addition, one person is missing after flooding in Anderson around Anderson County Road 370.
Seven and a half inches of rain was reported in about an hour.
Anderson County has asked the state for assistance in finding the missing person and a task force has been assembled and is searching the area.
Seven homes were evacuated in the Timber Drive area. The city set up a temporary shelter at the Palestine Mall with food.
The Red Cross says 20 to 30 residents are displaced.
Homes and businesses were damaged in the low-lying areas of the city, but there's no official count of how many.
The city says three businesses in Old Town Palestine were damaged in the flash flooding.
A railroad track at Sycamore and Gillespie streets have washed out.
Mayor Bob Herrington issued this statement on the flooding:
"The City of Palestine has suffered the worst flooding event in my 59 years of living here. I don't recall ever seeing this much water rise so fast and in such a short period of time. Our emergency management coordinator (EMC), Scott Parkhurst, has been briefing me throughout the early morning hours and throughout the day. Our first responders worked through the night and made numerous high water rescues. My sincere thanks to that group of dedicated and talented individuals for the job they do for our residents.
Unfortunately, five lives have been lost as a result of the flooding. It is a sad day for our city and our condolences go out to the families of the victims. Despite the tragedy, I'm reminded of the wonderful community in which we live. The outpouring of concern and offers to volunteer or to help with donations is increasing by the minute. I'm extremely proud of the way our town rises up as one when faced with difficult challenges.
"A temporary shelter has been set up in the police training room at Palestine Mall and the Red Cross as well as our local United Way will be there to help. Our communications director, Nate Smith, will have contact information for displaced residents who may have questions about the availability of food and shelter and he'll be releasing periodic updates regarding the relief efforts.
"It is too early to know the full extent of the damage, we have homes and businesses that have suffered flood damage and many of our roads have suffered significant deterioration as well. Total damage estimates will be developed in the near future and will be available to interested parties.
As for today, clean up efforts are underway, the mourning period has begun for the lives lost. We'll have further statements and information as we work through this difficult process.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help Asberry's family.
(©2016 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
