Area families mourn those who lost their lives.

As Houston grapples with the aftermath of widespread flooding, the families of those who died in the rising waters are grieving for their loved ones.

Seven people are confirmed to have drowned in the floods, and one man’s death is being investigated as a possible flood-related fatality from the heavy rains that hit the Houston area beginning Sunday night and continuing into early Tuesday.

They include a popular school teacher, an engineer, a truck driver, a community college student. Some were going to work, while others were going home. At least two were out because they had gone to help or check on family members.

Most were caught in the waters in northern Harris County, although three people died in southwest Houston on an exit ramp from the Westpark Tollway to Loop 610 that stretches deep underneath U.S. Highway 59. Two others died in Waller and Austin counties.

The deaths brought a public service reminder from Austin County Sheriff Jack W. Brandes.

“In the event of high water over roadways, please turn around, don’t drown,” he said.

Here are the details that have emerged about the eight people believed to have died in the flooding. German Antonio Franco

German Antonio Franco, 66, of Spring, was found dead in a vehicle in a flooded roadway near 17400 Imperial Valley and Greens Road. Officials are still determining whether his death was caused by the flooding or some other cause.

According to a memorial page, Franco was born in Cali, Colombia, and moved to New York, where he started his career in the produce industry. He was retired and had been married for 43 years. Claudia Melgar

Claudia Melgar, 25, a community college student, was formally identified Wednesday by the Harris County medical examiner’s office.

Melgar was seen driving into water at the Westpark Tollway exit onto Loop 610 about 6 a.m. Monday. A tow-truck driver had blocked the exit ramp and tried to get Melgar to stop, but she drove her sport utility vehicle around the truck and into what was estimated to be about 17 feet of water.

The waters in the underpass continued to rise, however, and officials worked more than 36 hours to pump enough water out to reach the vehicle. She was still inside.

Family members watched from the roadside as workers pulled the vehicle from the waters. Sunita Vikas Malhara Singh

Sunita Vikas Malhara Singh, 49, drowned on the same tollway exit ramp that Melgar took. She was trapped in her sedan after driving into the floodwaters.

Singh was a senior electrical engineer at Bechtel Oil, Gas, and Chemicals. Bechtel issued a statement late Wednesday describing her as an “accomplished” engineer and a “recognized expert in the power systems industry.”

“Colleagues respected her extraordinary scholarship and knowledge, loved her sense of humor, and appreciated her permanently positive outlook on life,” according to the written statement from Bechtel.

“She was always willing to offer help when needed. We are thankful Sunita was part of our family. She will be greatly missed. We offer our heartfelt condolences to Sunita’s family and friends at this difficult time.” Pedro Rascon Morales

Pedro Rascon Morales, 61, was a truck driver in El Paso. He drowned in the cab of an 18-wheeler trapped in a flooded roadway at 800 North Sam Houston Parkway East, between Imperial Valley and West Hardy Road.

It is not known if he had been living in the Houston area or was just traveling through the area when the storms hit. Charles Edward Odum

Charles Edward Odum, 56, of Pattison, in Waller County, was a junior high social studies teacher for the Royal Independent School District. A married father of two children, Odum apparently got into trouble while trying to help his parents evacuate. He was later found under water in his vehicle. A former student praised him as a good teacher who cared for his students. Suresh Kumar Talluri

Suresh Kumar Talluri, 36, of Katy, drowned in a sport utility vehicle that went under water at the Westpark Tollway ramp at Loop 610. He is survived by a wife and two children.

Talluri’s relatives also set up a gofundme.com fundraising site to seek financial assistance.

“Anyone who knew Suresh would vouch for the ball of energy he was,” the page states. “He was a dedicated professional, a dutiful son, a devoted father, and a loving husband.”

The page notes that his family is enduring tough times. “While we are all struggling to cope with the loss, it has been the most tenuousfor his family ,” the page states. Teri White Rodriguez

Teri White Rodriguez, 41, drowned in a vehicle found in a drainage ditch at 1807 Briarcreek. She had gone to check on relatives that night, then headed home to be with her husband.

Rodriguez’s relatives also launched a gofundme page to raise money.

“Teri Rodriguez was a loving and caring mother of three,” notes the page. “She was loved by many and will continue to be loved long after.”

The page notes that she was recently denied life insurance and the family she left behind has nothing to help with the cost of her funeral.

“Anything at all helps because funeral arrangements are extremely expensive, stressful, and difficult,” the page continues. “The entire family will be incredibly grateful and immensely appreciative of any effort to alleviate the painful situation. Please help by donating money to our humble family.” Austin County death

In another death attributed to flooding, the Austin County Sheriff ’s Office confirmed that a woman there drowned Monday after driving her vehicle into high water on Plum Creek Road while returning from work.

Her name had not been released late Wednesday, pending notification of family.