Texas to face more life-threatening floods? Warning issued amid disaster
This warning comes as crews are working to find more survivors, even though the outlook seems bleak. Authorities are facing growing questions about whether they had issued enough warnings in areas that have long been vulnerable to flooding. Questions are also being raised about whether enough preparations were made.
Donald Trump signs major disaster declaration
Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday, activating the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to Texas. Trump said he might visit on Friday. "I would have done it today, but we'd just be in their way," he told reporters before boarding Air Force One back to Washington after spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster. "It's a horrible thing that took place, absolutely horrible."
In a Truth Social post, Trump wrote, 'I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need. These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing. The Trump Administration continues to work closely with State and Local Leaders. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was on the ground yesterday with Governor Greg Abbott, who is working hard to help the people of his Great State. Our incredible U.S. Coast Guard, together with State First Responders, have saved more than 850 lives. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!'
Abbott has promised that authorities will work around the clock, and declared Sunday a day of prayer for the state. "I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday — for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines," he said in a statement.
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Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Could Florida's St. Johns River witness flash floods similar to Texas that claimed 120 lives?
Florida is preparing for the season's first hurricane as the 'Sunshine State' is witnessing tropical waves. U.S. Secret Service counter sniper team members set up along the flood damaged Guadalupe River as President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump visit with state and local leaders, first responders and victims of last week's flash flooding on July 11, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. (Getty Images via AFP) According to the National Hurricane Center, several tropical waves this week could turn into more significant storms, but no catastrophic activity is predicted for the next week. Forecasters are particularly monitoring the region where storm Chantal formed earlier this month. Dexter will be the next named storm of the hurricane season. Meteorologists and scientists are warning about the effects of Trump's severe cuts to scientific organisations. In late June, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced that the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) would 'discontinue ingest, processing, and distribution of all DMSP data no later than June 30, 2025, ' Irish Star reported. NHC monitoring four tropical waves The National Hurricane Center is keeping an eye on four tropical waves that have the potential to intensify into more severe storms. Although the tropical Atlantic is predicted to stay calm for the next few days, forecasters caution that there is a less probability of another tropical depression or storm developing from July 15 to 18 in the same area along the southern Atlantic coast, especially the northeast Gulf, which they were tracking closely in early July. An extended region of comparatively low pressure that travels from east to west throughout the tropics is called a wave. It may result into a development of tropical cyclone. Also Read: Photos: Trump, Melania tour flood-ravaged Kerr County as President vows Texas relief; 'Never seen anything like this' Could Texas-style flash floods occur on the St. Johns River? According to Jessie Schaper, a meteorologist and hydrology program manager at the National Weather Service in Melbourne, there is a slim likelihood of flash floods along the St. Johns River, despite the fact that Florida has an abundance of the moist tropical air that led to the rainfall which triggered the devastating floods in Texas, reported Daytona Beach News-Journal. On being asked about the possibility of flash floods in Florida, Schaper stated, 'Absolutely not.' 'We do not have the terrain here that they do in Texas Hill Country, so that type of thing we'd never see on the St. Johns,' she stated. 'It is a very slow-moving river. It drains a large area, but it's essentially flat.' Over its 310-mile course, the St. Johns River has an extremely modest elevation drop of less than 30 feet. The St. Johns River Water Management District claims that it is one of the 'laziest' rivers in the entire world, with an average dip of roughly 1 inch every mile. The soil, which soaks water very quickly, is another significant distinction between Florida and Texas, according to Schaper. The Guadalupe River overflowed after heavy rains on July 4th, causing flash floods in Texas that claimed lives of at least 120 people and left several others missing, as per AP. It is worth considering whether the St. Johns River in Florida could experience the same devastating flooding.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Trump visits Texas: US President in flood-ravaged state; gets briefed by emergency responders
US President arrived in central Texas on Friday to survey the catastrophic damage caused by flash floods that have killed at least 120 people, including dozens of children, and left over 170 missing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Touching down in Kerrville - the heart of the disaster zone- Trump was accompanied by First Lady Melania Trump and Texas Governor Greg Abbott. The president could be seen meeting with first responders, local officials, and grieving families at a briefing site near uprooted trees and emergency vehicles. Wearing a white 'USA' ballcap, Trump received situational updates from emergency personnel alongside Governor Abbott, as reported by Associated Press. The First Lady, dressed in a khaki jacket, olive pants, and Converse sneakers, joined him in meeting rescue crews and posing for photos with hardhat-clad officials. 'I'm going to be with some of the great families,' Trump had told reporters before departing Washington, calling the floods a 'terrible thing' and a '100-year catastrophe.' Trump will also reportedly conduct an aerial tour of the worst-affected areas later today (local time) aboard Marine One. The flyover is expected to give him a firsthand view of the flood's toll, particularly along the Guadalupe River, which surged rapidly on July 4, sweeping away summer camps, homes, and vehicles. At least 36 children were among the dead, with 27 fatalities at Camp Mystic alone. Officials fear the toll may still rise as search efforts continue into their eighth day. While Trump has expressed support for installing improved flood warning systems, he brushed aside criticism that federal agency cuts may have hampered the response. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'The local officials were hit by this just like everybody else,' he told NBC News. Kerr County Commissioner Jeff Holt, who met the president Friday, said the visit sends an important signal. 'He's here to pledge federal support, like he already has with FEMA. That's what a leader does,' said Holt who also serves in the local fire department, as quoted by AP. Trump's visit comes as the response- including delayed evacuation alerts- faces scrutiny. A House Oversight Committee inquiry is underway, and lawmakers have requested records from FEMA and other agencies to assess whether staffing cuts or internal changes contributed to the crisis. The president has not directly addressed the future of FEMA, despite his administration's broader push to devolve disaster management to states. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the federal response as 'swift and efficient.'
The Wire
3 days ago
- The Wire
Afghan Taxi Drivers Have a Solution to Passengers' AC Woes
Broken air conditioning? Afghan taxi drivers have cobbled together a creative solution to spare them and their passengers from the sweltering heat. In Kandahar city in southern Afghanistan where temperatures easily exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit), blue taxis can be spotted with an air conditioning unit strapped to the roof with an exhaust hose delivering the cool air through the passenger window. "It started getting extremely hot three or four years ago. These cars' AC systems didn't work, and repairs were too expensive. So I went to a technician, (and) had a custom cooler made," said driver Gul Mohammad. The 32-year-old spent 3,000 Afghanis ($43) for the system, which he connects to his taxi's battery and regularly refills with water. "This works better than (built-in) AC. ACs only cool the front – this cooler spreads air throughout," said fellow driver Abdul Bari. Other devices are connected to solar panels, also mounted on the taxi's roof. Afghanistan, one of the poorest countries in the world, is also one of the most vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It is particularly affected by heat waves and is suffering from increased drought. Murtaza, a 21-year-old technician, said that demand from taxi drivers has been growing over the past two or three years. "Many cars weren't equipped with air conditioning anyway, which is why we're installing these," he told AFP in his small shop in central Kandahar. Afghan cities are often saturated with ageing vehicles, which are enjoying a last-ditch life after being transferred from neighbouring countries. "When there's no cooler, it becomes very difficult," said Norullah, a 19-year-old passenger who did not provide a last name, his face inches from the blast of cold air. "These drivers are helping solve the problem, and that's great."
