A Community Grieves: Remembering Erika Lott and Rivers Bond
Moore, Oklahoma is mourning an unspeakable tragedy after a flash flood claimed the lives of a devoted mother and her young son. In the early hours of a stormy night, as relentless rain battered the city, Erika Lott and her 12-year-old son, Rivers Bond, were swept away when their car vanished beneath rising floodwaters near Southeast 12th and Eastern.
What began as a terrifying disappearance turned into a devastating discovery. Around 2 a.m., after hours of searching in darkness and rain, first responders pulled two bodies from a ditch—the mother and son who never made it home. Of the passengers in the vehicle, only one survived.
The grief is overwhelming.
Erika Lott was known in her community as a loving, hardworking mother who centered her world around her children. Those who knew her speak of her strength, her selflessness, and the way her face would light up when she talked about Rivers. She was a provider, a protector, and a friend—someone who carried life’s weight with grace and humility.
Rivers Bond, a sixth-grade student at Apple Creek Elementary, was a bright, kind-hearted boy with a curious mind and a wide, unforgettable smile. Teachers remember him for his enthusiasm in the classroom, his playful nature, and his compassion for others. He was the kind of child who made friends easily and always looked out for those around him. He had a love for learning, a deep affection for his family, and a future that was just beginning to unfold.
His sudden and tragic passing has left Apple Creek Elementary School reeling. In response, the school has brought in grief counselors and support staff to help students and teachers process the loss. Classrooms that were once filled with the sound of his laughter now sit in heavy silence. The pain is raw, and the reality of his absence is deeply felt.
The location of the accident—so ordinary on any given day—has now become a site of quiet mourning. Locals have started leaving flowers, candles, and handwritten notes near the area where Erika and Rivers lost their lives. Strangers stop and bow their heads. A mother and her child, taken in a moment, now remembered in every tear and every whisper of wind.
As the rain continued to fall that night, it felt as if the sky itself wept alongside the community.
This tragedy is a sobering reminder of how quickly nature can turn deadly, and how fragile life can be. But it’s also a moment where love and community rise up. Friends, neighbors, and even those who never met Erika or Rivers are coming together—to grieve, to comfort, and to remember.
In the wake of the heartbreak, there is still a heartbeat of hope: that in telling their story, we honor who they were. That in comforting one another, we carry their memory forward. That in standing together, we remind each other that we are not alone in sorrow.
To the loved ones of Erika Lott and Rivers Bond—our hearts are with you. May you find moments of peace amid the pain, and may you feel the strength of a community that holds you close in this unimaginable time.
Rest in peace, Erika and Rivers. Your lives mattered. Your memory lives on.