Moore Community Grieves Tragic Loss of Mother and Son After Floodwater Accident
MOORE, OK — A heartbreaking tragedy has rocked the Moore community after the bodies of a mother and her young son were recovered from floodwaters early Sunday morning. Authorities confirmed that 39-year-old Erika Lott and her 12-year-old son, Rivers Bond, died after their vehicle was swept away near Southeast 12th and Eastern Avenue in Moore during intense overnight storms.
The incident unfolded late Saturday night when the family’s vehicle disappeared into fast-moving floodwaters amid heavy rainfall. According to officials, there were three occupants in the car at the time. Only one person managed to escape, while Erika and Rivers remained trapped. Emergency crews launched a desperate search through the rising water and dangerous conditions.
Despite relentless efforts by first responders, the car was located and the bodies of Erika and Rivers were discovered just before 2 a.m. Sunday morning, submerged in a ditch near the original disappearance site. The rain continued to fall steadily as crews worked through the night, the weight of the tragedy hanging in the air.
Rivers Bond was a sixth-grade student at Apple Creek Elementary School, where he was known for his cheerful smile, curious mind, and warm personality. His loss has sent shockwaves through the school community, where grief counselors have been brought in to support students and staff struggling to process the unthinkable.
“This is a devastating loss,” said a spokesperson from Moore Public Schools. “Rivers was a bright young soul with his whole future ahead of him. We mourn not just the loss of a student, but a beloved member of our school family.”
Erika Lott was remembered by those who knew her as a devoted mother and a kind-hearted woman who worked hard to provide a loving home for her children. Friends and neighbors describe her as compassionate and strong—a pillar of grace and warmth. The bond she shared with Rivers was evident to all who knew them.
“I still can’t believe they’re gone,” said a close friend of the family. “Erika loved her kids more than anything. She was always smiling, always full of love. Rivers had his whole life ahead of him.”
The tragedy underscores the devastating power of sudden flash flooding in Oklahoma, where heavy rains can quickly turn roads and intersections into deadly hazards. Local authorities are urging the public to remain vigilant during severe weather and avoid driving through water-covered roadways, no matter how shallow they appear.
“Our hearts go out to the family during this unimaginable time,” Moore Police stated in a release. “We’re committed to supporting the community and ensuring every effort was made to bring closure.”
As the Moore community reels from this loss, a growing memorial has taken shape near the site of the incident—flowers, stuffed animals, and candles now line the roadside. A vigil is expected to be announced in the coming days to honor Erika and Rivers and to offer a space for the community to grieve together.
This profound tragedy serves as a painful reminder of how quickly lives can be changed—or lost—by the forces of nature. Yet in the face of loss, the Moore community is coming together in compassion and unity, offering support to the grieving family and holding tightly to the memories of a mother and son taken far too soon.
May Erika Lott and Rivers Bond rest in eternal peace.