Our hearts are with the family of the missing child her family, her classmates, and the entire Brenham community during this incredibly difficult time. We are holding them all close in our thoughts and prayers.
Below is the update on Devah Woods from the Officials in Brenham.
A benefit account has been set up at Austin County State Bank in Bellville, Texas, to support the family of Devah Woods during this difficult time. We’re grateful to the bank staff for going above and beyond to make this possible.
If you’d like to help, stop by or call the bank. They have all the details needed to assist with your donation, and every contribution will go directly to the family.
Bank Details:
Austin County State Bank – Bellville Branch
436 S Front St
Bellville, TX 77418
Phone: 979-865-4200
Fax: 979-865-3375
Lobby Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 9:00am – 4:00pm
Friday: 9:00am – 5:30pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Drive-Thru Hours:
Monday–Thursday: 7:30am – 4:00pm
Friday: 7:30am – 5:30pm
Saturday: 8:30am – 12:00pm
Sunday: Closed
The Brenham fire department extends its heartfelt thanks to all the agencies who responded to the call.
Updated: May 6, 2025 1:37pm
Community Mourns Loss of Brenham Elementary Student
We are heartbroken to share the tragic news that 10-year-old Devah Woods, the Brenham Elementary student who went missing during Monday’s severe weather, has been found. After an intensive 18-hour search involving local emergency responders, specialized rescue teams, and volunteers, Devah was located Tuesday morning. Tragically, she did not survive. Devah was a bright and joyful third grader whose light touched many at Brenham Elementary and beyond. Her passing is a profound loss to her family, friends, classmates, and the entire Brenham ISD community.
Her sibling, who bravely sought help during the incident, and the entire Woods family remain in our prayers. We encourage the community to continue surrounding them with love, support, and compassion in this time of immense grief. Brenham ISD has made counseling and support services available for students and staff as we all come to terms with this heartbreaking loss. The district also expressed deep gratitude for the countless first responders and volunteers who worked around the clock in the search effort.
Please continue to lift this family in prayer.
Updated: May 6, 2025 – 7:35 AM
BRENHAM, TX – A tragic situation continues to unfold in Brenham as search efforts remain underway for a missing Brenham student. The 10-year-old girl from Brenham Elementary was swept away by rapidly rising floodwaters on Monday afternoon, May 5.
In a statement released by Brenham ISD at 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning, district officials confirmed that the student remains missing and search operations are ongoing. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, and we ask our community to keep them in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time,” the statement reads. The district noted that out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further personal details will be shared at this time.
Brenham ISD is offering counseling and support services for students and staff affected by this tragedy.
Search Efforts Continue
As of 7:00 a.m. Tuesday, search and rescue teams resumed operations. The multi-agency search effort includes:
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- Four Swift Water Rescue Teams, including crews from Washington County Search and Rescue and Texas Task Force 1 – Conroe and San Antonio divisions
- Canine units actively participating in ground searches
- Thermal drones deployed overnight and continuing this morning
- Aerial support from Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas DPS en route
Operations continued through the night using advanced technology and trained personnel in hopes of locating the missing Brenham student. Despite difficult weather conditions, search teams remain committed to bringing her home.
Timeline of Events
- May 5 – 5:44 PM: Emergency services responded to a report near Fireman’s Park, where a school-aged child was reportedly swept away by floodwaters. Several rescue attempts were made, including by a Brenham Police officer who was also caught in the current but later rescued downstream and treated by EMS.
- May 5 – 7:05 PM to 7:58 PM: Multiple agencies including two Swift Water Rescue Teams conducted searches near the Burleson Street Bridge, extending toward Old Independence Road. Approximately 12 agencies were involved in the coordinated effort.
- May 5 – 9:24 PM: Up to 14 agencies were engaged in the search as Texas Task Force 1 and Washington County Search and Rescue remained on scene. Canine and drone units were deployed.
- May 5 – 10:20 PM: Water-based search efforts were temporarily paused due to a new round of thunderstorms. Ground-based teams, drones, and trained dogs continued searching throughout the night. Full operations resume at daybreak, weather permitting.
This is a developing story. Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
