UAE embassy offers condolences over Texas flash floods
Ambassador Yousef Al Otaiba said "our thoughts are with those in Texas impacted by the devastating floods."
At least 59 people died in the flash flooding in Texas, and casualties could be even higher, a state official said Sunday as rescuers searched frantically for missing people.
US President Donald Trump on July 6 formally declared a 'major disaster' for the state of Texas under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued, including some who were clinging to trees, after a sudden storm dumped up to 15 inches of rain in an area around the Guadalupe River, about 85 miles (137 km) northwest of San Antonio.
Among the missing were 27 girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp, Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice said at a press conference on Saturday evening, and there may be others beyond that.
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Khaleej Times
a day ago
- Khaleej Times
Trump voices shock at Texas flood damage: 'Never seen anything like this'
US President Donald Trump spoke Friday of seeing devastation like he'd never before experienced as he toured parts of Texas hit by devastating flash floods that have left at least 120 people dead, including dozens of children. The Republican leader and First Lady Melania Trump were in the Hill Country of central Texas to meet first responders, victims' families and local officials, a week after a rain-swollen river swept away houses, camp cabins, cars and people. "This is a tough one. I've never seen anything like this," Trump said at a roundtable meeting in Kerrville, in the worst-affected Kerr County. "I've gone to a lot of hurricanes, a lot of tornadoes. I've never seen anything like this. This is a bad one." Trump lashed out at reporters for questioning authorities' response to the disaster and said he wanted to focus on solidarity with emergency workers and volunteers. "All across the country, Americans' hearts are shattered," said Trump, speaking at a table draped in a black banner with the message "Texas Strong." "I had to be here as president. The first lady wanted to be here." He compared the suddenly rising floodwaters to a "giant wave in the Pacific Ocean that the best surfers in the world would be afraid to surf." Earlier, the Trumps were met by Governor Greg Abbott near the Guadalupe River in Kerrville, in an area with numerous downed trees and an overturned tractor trailer. They were briefed by Texas Emergency Management and Kerrville Fire Dept officials, and greeted by 30 or so rescue workers and Coast Guard members. The search for more than 170 missing people, including five girls who were at summer camp, was in its eighth day as rescue teams combed through mounds of debris and mud. But with no live rescues reported this week, worries have swelled that the death toll could still rise. Trump has brushed off questions about the impact of his cuts to federal agencies on the response to the flood, which he described as a "100-year catastrophe" that "nobody expected." On Thursday, Homeland Security chief Kristi Noem, who was with Trump in Texas, defended the immediate response as "swift and efficient." But Texas officials have faced questions about why emergency evacuation messages to residents and visitors along the flooding Guadalupe River reportedly were delayed, in some cases by hours. Trump expressed support for a flood warning system in a telephone interview with NBC News on Thursday. FEMA questions The floods, among America's deadliest in recent years, have reopened questions about Trump's plans to phase out federal disaster response agency FEMA in lieu of greater state-based responsibility. FEMA began its response to the Texas flash floods over the weekend after Trump signed a major disaster declaration to release federal resources. But the president has so far avoided addressing questions about its future. Noem insisted FEMA should be "eliminated" in its current form at a government review meeting Wednesday. Officials in Kerr County, which sits astride the Guadalupe River in an area nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley," said at least 36 children were killed in the disaster at the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend. Details have surfaced about reported delays to early alerts at a local level that could have saved lives. Experts say forecasters did their best and sent out timely and accurate warnings despite a sudden weather change. ABC News reported Thursday that at 4:22am on July 4, a firefighter in Ingram, upstream of Kerrville, had asked the Kerr County Sheriff's Office to alert residents of nearby Hunt to the coming flood. The network said its affiliate KSAT obtained audio of the call, and that the first alert did not reach Kerr County's CodeRED system for a full 90 minutes. In some cases, it said, the warning messages didn't arrive until after 10:00 am, when hundreds of people had already been swept away. The flooding of the Guadalupe River was particularly devastating for summer camps on its banks, including Camp Mystic, where 27 girls and counselors died.
UAE Moments
4 days ago
- UAE Moments
Ruidoso Faces Historic Flash Floods, Devastating Homes & Liv
Severe Flash Floods Devastate Ruidoso, Sweeping Away Homes and Causing Chaos RUIDOSO, N.M. — Flash floods unleashed significant destruction in the mountain town of Ruidoso on Tuesday afternoon, sending debris and even a house downstream as the community faced yet another challenge. The flooding continues to impact residents and infrastructure, prompting rescue operations and emergency precautions. Historic Flooding Reaches New Heights According to the National Weather Service, the Rio Ruidoso at Hollywood hit a provisional crest of 20.24 feet on Friday afternoon, marking historic levels. Comparatively, the devastating flooding caused by Hurricane Dolly in 2008 crested at 12 feet, while last year's floods peaked at 15 feet. This unprecedented rise highlights the severity of the current situation. Village Resources for Flood Victims In response to the disaster, village officials are directing residents toward critical resources: Emergency Family Contact: Residents with missing family members due to the flooding are urged to call the Ruidoso Emergency Operations Call Center at (575) 637-0398. Temporary Refuge: The Ruidoso Community Center at 501 Sudderth Drive is open for those in need of shelter. Assistance with Pets: The Humane Society of Lincoln County is helping with lost animals. Residents can call (575) 257-9841 to report missing pets. Moreover, residents are encouraged to complete a village survey to document property damage for assessment and relief purposes. Ongoing Challenges Due to Flooding The flooding challenges have compounded due to last year's wildfires, which left burn scars that intensify flash flood risks. One particular area of concern is the Blue 2 Burn Scar, where excessive rainfall is causing debris flows that include rocks, mud, and vegetation. These flows threaten multiple properties, highways, bridges, and recreational areas such as Bonito Lake. Flash Flood Warning for Ruidoso The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Warning for south-central Lincoln County, including the Blue 2 Burn Scar. Doppler radar detected thunderstorms producing heavy rain over the area, with rainfall amounts ranging from 0.25 to 1 inch. The warning detailed ongoing life-threatening flash flooding risks, particularly near the Rio Bonito and Upper Eagle Creek. Key impact zones include: Forest Service Road 107 Bonito Lake Rio Bonito bridges on Highways 37 and 48 Areas downstream of Highway 48 Upper Eagle Creek Road to Ski Run Road The floods are expected to bring debris flows that threaten homes and infrastructure in these regions. Infrastructure Damage and Recovery Efforts The Ruidoso Downs Racetrack and Casino, which recently installed new piping and a retention pond, was once again inundated by floodwaters. Viewer video shared with KOB 4 depicted the flooded race track, underscoring the scale of damage. Further compounding the disaster, the village is addressing a gas leak in the River Trail area. Zia Gas is currently working to resolve the issue, according to updates provided by village officials. Emergency Precautions and Rescue Operations Both the National Weather Service and Lincoln County Fire Services have reported multiple rescue operations as floodwaters swept through the town. Residents are urged to stay vigilant, avoid flood-prone areas, and adhere to warnings from local authorities to ensure their safety. This is an unfolding situation, and crews are actively responding to the ongoing emergency. Updates will continue to be shared as more information becomes available.
Zawya
5 days ago
- Zawya
Corn falls for second session, near one-week low on US crop outlook
SINGAPORE - Chicago corn futures lost more ground on Tuesday, dropping to their lowest in almost a week as improved U.S. crop ratings and expectations of more beneficial weather pressured prices. Wheat fell, while soybeans were largely unchanged. "U.S. corn crop is in good shape as the weather has been pretty favourable," said one agricultural broker. "Expectations of bumper production from the U.S. are going to keep pressure on prices." The most-active corn contract on the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) fell 0.2% to $4.20 a bushel as of 0252 GMT, have dropped to its lowest since July 2 at $4.19 a bushel. Soybeans added 0.2% to $10.23 a bushel and wheat slid 0.5% to $5.46 a bushel. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) said after trading ended that 74% of the nation's corn crop was in good or excellent condition, up one percentage point from a week earlier. Rains have benefited the U.S. Plains and western Midwest, and boosted soil moisture in Iowa, according to weather firm Vaisala. Temperatures will be near normal in most areas this week, the firm said, favouring the corn crop during the critical pollination period of development. Farmers in Brazil's center-south had harvested 28% of their 2025 second corn crop as of last Thursday, agribusiness consultancy AgRural said on Monday, up 10 percentage points from the previous week but well below the 63% reported a year earlier. Large speculators increased their net short position in CBOT corn futures in the week to July 1, regulatory data released on Monday showed. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission's weekly commitments of traders report also showed that noncommercial traders, a category that includes hedge funds, trimmed their net short position in CBOT wheat and increased their net short position in soybeans.
