Five Fort Hood Soldiers Dead in Historic Flooding: Texas Declares State of Emergency

Teresa Neumann : Jun 3, 2016
Camila Domonoske — NPR News

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to the soldiers, their families and the Fort Hood community." — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott

(Fort Hood, TX) — [Camila Domonoske — NPR News] At least five soldiers from Fort Hood died yesterday, and several are still missing, after an army vehicle they were in was swept away in a flood-swollen creek.

"Heavy rains have drenched central Texas over the past couple of weeks, causing rivers and streams to swell," said Nathan Bernier of KUT in Austin.

"That's what happened at Fort Hood," he added, "and when the driver of a tactical vehicle carrying a group of soldiers tried to pass a low-water crossing, the vehicle was swept away and overturned." 

A Fort Hood statement noted that three soldiers who had been injured in the accident had been rescued and were in stable condition. Meanwhile, search and rescue teams are looking for four missing soldiers. 

"The 1st Cavalry Division is grieving after a training accident at Fort Hood during flash flooding this morning. We are deeply saddened by the loss of several Troopers and continue search operations," said Maj. Gen. John C. Thomson III, 1st Cavalry Division commanding general. 

Governor Greg Abbott has since declared a state of emergency in 31 Texas counties. 

Camila Domonoske — NPR News