Texas flooding death toll rises
At least 81 people, including dozens of children, are dead and more than 40 still missing, with a huge search-and-rescue operation underway.
As the state grapples with the tragedy, it is also confronting the reality of extreme weather events that are becoming ever more frequent. Insurance premiums are up — they rose 19% last year and 21% in 2023, The Washington Post reported recently — and many Texas homes are now uninsurable.
The problem is particularly acute as the state has seen huge population growth in recent years, especially in popular metro areas such as Houston and Austin, partly thanks to its low housing costs.
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Multiple fatalities reported in Tropical Storm Chantal flooding in North Carolina
Multiple people died in central North Carolina after Tropical Storm Chantal brought a deluge of rain and flooding to the area on July 6, according to officials. The Raleigh-Durham area saw nearly 12 inches of rainfall in 24 hours, while neighboring areas reported at least nine inches, according to the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. The influx of rain caused flooding in several areas including Alamance, Chatham, Moore, Orange and Person counties, according to the Citizen Times. Chantal was downgraded to a tropical depression by July 7, but was still dumping rain across the mid-Atlantic. North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said at a news conference on July 8 that officials from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services were still working to confirm the total number of fatalities from the flooding, but that there are "a handful of reported deaths to date." The NCDHHS said it does not currently have verified information on storm-related deaths but referred USA TODAY to local law enforcement. The North Carolina Department of Emergency Management told USA TODAY in a statement that the state's emergency response team "is aware of potential fatalities linked to Tropical Storm Chantal as reported by law enforcement" and is awaiting reviews from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. Here's what we know. In Chatham County, which is just west of Raleigh, three people died in the floods, officials confirmed to USA TODAY. Sandra Portnoy Hirschman, 83, of Pittsboro, North Carolina, died around 11:30 p.m. local time on July 6 when her car became submerged in water, Steve Newton, Chatham County's emergency management director, told USA TODAY. Two individuals who went boating on Jordan Lake around 5 p.m. on July 6 also died, Newton said. One boater was recovered on July 8, while the second individual was found July 9 — both are awaiting positive identification from the medical examiner's office, Randall Rigsbee, Chatham County Sheriff's Office public information officer, told USA TODAY. Monica Butner was driving to work in Hillsborough, North Carolina, on the evening of July 6 when her car got stuck in floodwater, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said in a release. The 58-year-old called 911 around 10:30 p.m. local time amid the heavy rainfall, but the call disconnected, OCSO said. Firefighters soon located her unoccupied car. First responders found Butner dead around 5 p.m. on July 7. Officials said she was "almost completely obscured by fallen trees and debris approximately 120 yards downstream from her vehicle." 'The devastating power of stormwater caused Ms. Butner's tragic death, despite the heroic efforts of searchers and the work of the top-notch professionals at Emergency Management who coordinated the incoming resources," Sheriff Charles Blackwood said in the release. "I am grateful to everyone who assisted with this search, and I offer my condolences to all affected by this tragedy.' In Alamance County, two people died under the jurisdiction of the Alamance County Sheriff's Office, Byron Tucker, public information officer, confirmed to USA TODAY. Hajar Hassib, 23, of Graham, North Carolina, was reported missing in Graham and later found dead in the flooding, Tucker said. James Michael Parcell, 71 of Haw River, North Carolina, was also found dead after being reported missing to ACSO. Both were "a result of swift water across the roadway," and found within miles of each other, Tucker said. Parcell's obituary said he died in a car accident. Known as Mike, Parcell "lived life to the fullest" and "always found a way to make you laugh," according to his obituary. USA TODAY has reached out to Gov. Stein's office for more information. This story has been updated with additional information. Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Chantal flooding in NC kills multiple people
Yahoo
an hour ago
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St. Johns County Fire Rescue: 3 people injured by lightning strike at St. Augustine Pier
Lightning struck the St. Augustine Pier, injuring at least three people, including one transported in critical condition, according to St. Johns County Fire Rescue. The agency said first responders treated and evacuated three patients Saturday afternoon. One was transported in critical condition to a local trauma center. Another person who had minor injuries was taken to a local hospital. And a third person refused transport, according to the St. Johns Fire Rescue post on Facebook. Both St. Johns and St. Augustine Fire Department personnel were at the scene and evacuating patients, according to the initial post at 3:07 p.m. They asked the public to avoid the pier while emergency operations were ongoing. They also urged people to go inside when they hear thunder. The St. Augustine strike comes two days after a pair of teenagers were killed by lightning in Waycross, Ga. The Waycross mayor said Joey Nelson and Randall Martin III were struck by lightning on July 10 during a summer storm, reported First Coast News, the Times-Union news partner. The mayor and Martin's family told First Coast News that he was on a fishing trip with his friend, Joey Nelson — a 2024 graduate of Ware County High — when the two were struck by lightning during a storm and died near their vehicle. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Lightning strike injures 3 people at St. Augustine Pier
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an hour ago
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Free curbside pickup for flood debris starts Monday on these Travis County roads
Flood debris pickup will begin on Monday in Travis County, as cleanup efforts continue in flood-ravaged areas. The initiative will focus on county-maintained roads in neighborhoods severely impacted by the recent flooding over the July 4 weekend, according to a news release issued by the Travis County Transportation and Natural Resources Department. Residents along the designated roads are being urged to place sorted debris at the curb over the weekend in preparation for pickup. The curbside collection is being offered free of charge. Austin benefits, ways to donate: How to help victims of Central Texas floods The following roads are slated for pickup, although the list may change as recovery operations continue: Long Hollow Loop Summit View Drive Layne Loop Long Hollow Trail Sheel Hollow Trail Juniper Trail Yaupon Trail Juniper Court Windy Valley Drive Round Mountain Road Big Sandy Drive Sandy Meadow Circle Pecan Hollow Sunset Hollow A portion of Nameless Road Residents must separate materials into the following categories: Appliances: Refrigerators, washers, dryers, air conditioners, stoves, and similar items Construction and demolition materials: Drywall, lumber, carpet, furniture, plumbing items Brush and vegetation: Tree trunks and limbs (limited to under 10 feet in length) Hazardous waste: Oil, batteries, paint, and cleaning products Electronics: Televisions, computers, phones, and gaming systems Household trash will not be accepted as part of the curbside service. Materials that are not sorted will be left uncollected. Debris should be placed along the road at the edge of residents' properties without blocking access or roadways. In areas with sidewalks, debris should be positioned between the sidewalk and the curb with a 3-foot clearance around it. For efficient and safe removal, residents should avoid stacking debris near trees, utility poles, mailboxes, fire hydrants, or meters. Obstructed or improperly placed debris may be bypassed by crews. More: Photos, videos capture devastation caused by 'catastrophic' floods in Texas Household trash can be taken to a dumpster on the north side of the Sandy Creek Bridge, accessible on foot. For those able to transport their waste, the FM1431 Citizen Collection Center is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday. Construction of a two-way low-water crossing is underway near the damaged Sandy Creek Bridge. A resource center will be open this weekend from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Danielson Middle School. Transportation is being provided by CapMetro and Leander ISD from Round Mountain Baptist Church, Leander Park & Ride, and HEB. Officials strongly advise residents not to enter waterways to remove debris, citing ongoing safety hazards such as sewage contamination, sharp debris, chemicals, or downed power lines. Active search and rescue operations are ongoing, and crews require a 100-yard clearance zone on both sides of the creeks. Questions regarding debris pickup can be directed to TCflooddebris@ and find more info at This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Free curbside flood debris pickup starts Monday in Travis County
