Taste of the Old West: Cattle rescued from Texas river

DAYTON, Texas — More than 500 head of cattle stranded in rising water were rescued Sunday in a move that hadn't been seen in Texas in hundreds of years.

With the help of cowboys and law enforcement, the animals had to travel 9 miles to escape the flooded land from the swollen Trinity River.

"This is something," said Ricky Brown. "It's really a taste of the Old West coming back in here."

The rescue efforts began Sunday morning as the water closed in on the cattle. Nearly 1,800 acres of dry land quickly dwindled to 50 acres, so owner Pat Hencey began to lead them away from the area.

Many residents of this town of 7,390, gathered along Highway 90 to watch the cattle go by. Dayton is about 40 miles east of Houston.

"Everybody just wants to be a part of this," Brown said. "This is something that hasn't happened in probably 200 years."

More than 10 inches of rain has fallen during the last 30 days across nearly the entire central and eastern portion of the state — from the Texas Panhandle to the Mexico border. Isolated areas have received 15 to more than 20 inches.

This week, an extended period of sunshine is expected throughout the state.

At least 31 people have been killed in storms that began in Texas and Oklahoma over Memorial Day weekend. Twenty-seven of the deaths have been in Texas, and at least 10 people were still missing over the weekend.

In Dayton on Sunday, many couldn't wait to see the livestock — valued at $1 million — make the trip through town.

"Once it comes down, it's going to be pretty neat I think," said Aaron Privett, who brought his fiancée and four daughters to see the cattle.

Dozens of families showed up, bringing trucks, snacks and even tents to watch the action. After hours of waiting, the herd finally made its way through town and on Highway 146.

"To me, it's a once-in-a-lifetime experience you get to see something you don't see every day," Privett said.

After hours of swimming and walking, at least 200 cattle made the journey to CMC Rail Yard safe and sound. Many of the calves were transported by airboat, but some drowned in the river.

Captain Ken DeFoor with Liberty County Sheriff's Office said the surviving cattle will stay at CMC Rail Yard until the water levels in Trinity River go back down.

Contributing: The Associated Press.