Rescue Crews Warn Of Dangers After Father And Son Drown In Rising Floodwaters

A father and son who were swept away by floodwaters Friday night near Haskell were found dead Saturday morning after a multi-agency search.

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol identified the victims as Lloyd Eubanks and his son, William Eubanks. Officials say the son went into the rising waters to rescue his sister, who was attempting to clear debris. The father then entered the water to help his children.

First responders from Creek Nation, OHP, Haskell and Stone Bluff Fire Departments, Haskell Police Department, Wagoner, and Muskogee County Emergency Management worked through the night to recover the bodies.

“They all came together and helped,” said Jeff Smith, Director of Muskogee County Emergency Management.

Smith said crews worked until conditions became too dangerous, suspending the search around midnight and resuming at 6 a.m. The victims were located just before 8 a.m.

“We just need people to heed these warnings,” Smith said. “We had amassed a lot of resources out here last night and today to perform this search and recovery. We do not enjoy this. We do not enjoy responding to things like this.”

Ed Calianese, Warning Coordination Meteorologist with the National Weather Service Tulsa, said recent rainfall in the area led to flash flood conditions. “Very little rain, and all of a sudden the weather system changes, and we have several storm systems move into the area,” Calianese said. “We saw several events with widespread heavy rainfall this past week.”

Calianese urged residents to avoid flooded areas, especially at night. “It’s difficult to see if the road is even there because, a lot of times, the road is eroded away or washed away by the water,” he said.

The medical examiner’s office will determine the cause of death.