Latest news with #DevonPaige
Hamilton Spectator
38 minutes ago
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
The Latest: Massive search for survivors underway after deadly Texas floods
A July Fourth weekend deluge in Texas caused catastrophic flash flooding that has killed at least 89 people. Camp Mystic in Kerr County says Monday morning that it is 'grieving the loss' of 27 campers and counselors as the search continues for victims of the disaster. The flooding sent a wall of water through the century-old summer camp Friday. The risk of life-threatening flooding was still high in central Texas with more rain on the way. The Texas Hill Country is home to several summer camps. Searchers there have found the bodies of 75 people, including 27 children. Fourteen other deaths have been reported in other parts of Texas. Here's the Latest: Moisture powered the storm from many directions The warm water of the Gulf fueled the moist atmosphere , and even more moisture came from areas over the Pacific Ocean to the west. Remnants of moisture from Tropical Storm Barry also lingered over Texas because the jet stream, a current of air that moves weather patterns, wasn't there to push it away. The combination gave the storm plenty of fuel once it got started. Meteorologists said that an atmosphere warmed by human-caused climate change can hold more moisture and allow bad storms to dump more rain, though it's hard to connect specific storms to a warming planet so soon after they occur. A Camp Mystic nurse captured the escape in a series of TikTok videos A video posted by Devon Paige shows girls on a bus singing the lyrics to 'Pass It On,' a Christian hymn written by Kurt Kaiser. 'I wish for you, my friend,' they chant, their bus rolling past toppled trees, and a rescue vehicle, flashers on. 'This happiness that I've found.' As the bus passes a National Guard Jeep, the terrified chorus sings, 'I'll shout it from the mountaintop.' In unison, they shout, 'Praise God.' The Mexican consulate in San Antonio is helping 30 Mexican people affected by the floods Most of those requesting assistance needed help replacing their passports, President Claudia Sheinbaum said. Nine people asked for help to return to Mexico. Sheinbaum said proudly that two Mexican girls helped to rescue other girls. She said that the consulate is 'in constant communication with the families, and when weather conditions permit, they will visit the shelters.' Cruz says recent cuts to FEMA and the National Weather Service didn't impact late warnings 'This is not a time for partisan finger-pointing and attacks,' the Republican senator said. 'There will be a time to find out what could have been done differently. My hope is, in time, we learn some lessons to implement the next time there is a flood.' Sen. Ted Cruz says he picked up his daughter from a camp in the area just a week ago Cruz said the situation in Kerr County is 'every parent's nightmare.' 'The pain and agony of not knowing your children's whereabouts is the worst thing imaginable,' Cruz said during a news conference with local officials. Kerr County's death toll rises to 75 The bodies of 27 children are among those that have been recovered, officials said during a news conference. Ten campers and one counselor remain missing, officials said. Officials had previously said the death toll in Kerr County was 68. Ten other deaths have been reported in other parts of Texas. Forecasters issue a flood watch for San Antonio and Austin Slow-moving, heavy rainfall is expected to reach up to 4 additional inches, the National Weather Service said. The flood watch lasts through 7 p.m. local time. Officials to hold a news conference on the search and rescue effort The 10 a.m. Central news conference will be the first official update since Camp Mystic officials confirmed early this morning that they lost 27 campers and counselors when a wall of water swept through the campground in the middle of the night on the Fourth of July. The floods were at their worst when many people were asleep The Texas Hill Country in the central part of the state is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. Friday's flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark, early morning hours. ▶ What to know about the flash floods Officials face scrutiny over flash flood warnings Survivors have described the floods as a 'pitch black wall of death' and said they received no emergency warnings. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, who lives along the Guadalupe River, said Saturday that ' nobody saw this coming .' Various officials have referred to it as a '100-year-flood,' meaning that the water levels were highly unlikely based on the historical record. And records behind those statistics don't always account for human-caused climate change. Additionally, officials have come under scrutiny about why residents and youth summer camps along the river were not alerted sooner than 4 a.m. or told to evacuate. Officials noted that the public can grow weary from too many flooding alerts or forecasts that turn out to be minor. Kerr County officials said they had presented a proposal for a more robust flood warning system, similar to a tornado warning system, but that members of the public reeled at the cost . Search and rescue teams are heading back out to look for flood victims Organizers at a staging area in Center Point said more than 1,000 volunteers have been directed to the area about 8 miles (13 kilometers) south of Kerrville, and more are being sent.
Scottish Sun
6 hours ago
- General
- Scottish Sun
Heartbreaking vids show kids having fun at Camp Mystic – before singing through sobs & tears as they flee deadly floods
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HEARTBREAKING video shows girls having fun at Camp Mystic just days before flooding would tragically kill five. Dozens were evacuated after the disaster with video filmed by a nurse catching them singing through tears fleeing the deadly floods on a bus. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 8 Campers played games just hours before disaster struck Credit: Devon Paige 8 A Camp Mystic nurse captured the campers singing as they are evacauted Credit: Devon Paige 8 The bus evacuating the girls drone through a flooded river Credit: Devon Paige 8 The young girls sing worship songs as they drive through the devastated zone - with trees torn up, fences pushed over, and cars pushed on top of each other. At least 10 girls and one councillor remain missing from the camp which sat on the bank of the Guadalupe River in central Texas. Video shows girls laughing and playing games at the historic all-girls Christian camp - which is nearly a century old. They include running around the dining room with trays above their head, carrying another girl in a team game, and a sport on a field. But hours later they would be evacuated in the horrific tragedy. The Guadalupe River rose 26ft in just 45 minutes after heavy rain hit central Texas at around 4am on Friday. Younger girls slept in cabins just 500ft from the river on a small flat area of land off a bend in the watercourse. At least 28 children died in Kerr County - where Camp Mystic is located. Tragically, three girls confirmed to have died at Mystic River were aged 8 and 9 years old. Older girls slept in cabins further away from the flooding. Trump mourns 'unimaginable tragedy' as deaths rise to 78 in Texas floods with 10 girls still missing from Camp Mystic As the water quickly rose the girls were forced to flee, with adults at the camp desperately trying to save them. But the flooding was too strong and at least 30 adults, like the camp's beloved director Dick Eastland, were killed. Camp Mystic said in a statement: 'This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. 'Our hearts are broken alongside the families that are enduring this tragedy, and we share their hope and prayers.' 8 Best friends Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner were sharing a cabin and both lost their lives Credit: X/Keenan Willard 8 Floodwater rose into the cabins in the disaster Credit: AFP Rescuers are now scouring the devastated landscape as they search for survivors. A total of 41 people remain missing, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Camper Lila Bonner tragically was one of those killed with her family releasing a statement confirming her death. They wrote: "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. "We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly." Lila shared a cabin with her best friend Eloise Peck, 8, who also lost her life. 8 Girls could be seen playing games in the dining room Credit: Devon Paige 8 They also played team games having to carry each other in a race Credit: Devon Paige Her mom, Missy Peck, told Fox4: 'Eloise was literally friends with everyone. She loved spaghetti but not more than she loved dogs and animals. 'She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. "Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.' A total of 41 people remain missing, according to Governor Greg Abbott. It comes as Donald Trump announced he signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County to help search efforts in response to the "unimaginable tragedy" in Texas.
The Irish Sun
6 hours ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
Heartbreaking vids show kids having fun at Camp Mystic – before singing through sobs & tears as they flee deadly floods
HEARTBREAKING video shows girls having fun at Camp Mystic just days before flooding would tragically kill five. Dozens were Advertisement 8 Campers played games just hours before disaster struck Credit: Devon Paige 8 A Camp Mystic nurse captured the campers singing as they are evacauted Credit: Devon Paige 8 The bus evacuating the girls drone through a flooded river Credit: Devon Paige 8 The young girls sing worship songs as they drive through the devastated zone - with trees torn up, fences pushed over, and cars pushed on top of each other. At least 10 girls and one councillor remain missing from the camp which sat on the bank of the Video shows girls laughing and playing games at the historic all-girls Christian camp - which is nearly a century old. They include running around the dining room with trays above their head, carrying another girl in a team game, and a sport on a field. Advertisement Read more on US News But hours later they would be evacuated in the horrific tragedy. The Younger girls slept in cabins just 500ft from the river on a small flat area of land off a bend in the watercourse. At least 28 children died in Kerr County - where Camp Mystic is located. Advertisement Most read in The US Sun Breaking Exclusive Exclusive Tragically, three girls confirmed to have died at Mystic River were aged 8 and 9 years old. Older girls slept in cabins further away from the flooding. Trump mourns 'unimaginable tragedy' as deaths rise to 78 in Texas floods with 10 girls still missing from Camp Mystic As the water quickly rose the girls were forced to flee, with adults at the camp desperately trying to save them. But the flooding was too strong and at least 30 adults, like the camp's beloved director Dick Eastland, were killed. Advertisement Camp Mystic said in a statement: 'This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. 'Our hearts are broken alongside the families that are enduring this tragedy, and we share their hope and prayers.' 8 Best friends Eloise Peck and Lila Bonner were sharing a cabin and both lost their lives Credit: X/Keenan Willard 8 Floodwater rose into the cabins in the disaster Credit: AFP Advertisement Rescuers are now scouring the A total of 41 people remain missing, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Camper Lila Bonner tragically was one of those killed with her family releasing a statement confirming her death. They wrote: "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time. Advertisement "We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly." Lila shared a cabin with her best friend Eloise Peck, 8, who also lost her life. 8 Girls could be seen playing games in the dining room Credit: Devon Paige 8 They also played team games having to carry each other in a race Credit: Devon Paige Advertisement Her mom, Missy Peck, told dogs and animals . 'She passed away with her cabinmate and best friend Lila Bonner who also died. "Eloise had a family who loved her fiercely for the 8 years she was with us. Especially her Mommy.' A total of 41 people remain missing, according to Governor Greg Abbott. Advertisement It comes as Donald Trump announced he signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County to help search efforts in response to the "unimaginable tragedy" in Texas. 'Miracle' survival: Rescued 20 miles downstream By A YOUNG woman was miraculously rescued after being swept 20 miles downriver in the Texas floods. The 22-year-old was scooped up by from her campsite in Kerr County, Texas by at 4am, and found clinging to a tree four hours later . A third of a year's worth of rain fell in a few hours in the area, creating an "extraordinary disaster", with an enormous search-and-rescue mission still underway. A Center Point resident, Carl, heard screaming when he stepped into his yard at around 8am on Friday morning. He spotted the woman clinging to a huge Cyprus tree near Lion's Park Dam as the river thundered beneath her. She had for been holding on for several hours after a terrifying 20-mile journey down dams and dodging debris. Emergency calls weren't connecting, so the local resident desperately flagged down a police car for help. Two By this time, the water level had receded considerably, so the woman was stranded 12ft above the water's surface. She was forced to drop into the rescue boat, and was finally brought to safety.
Hindustan Times
9 hours ago
- General
- Hindustan Times
Texas floods: Camp Mystic girls sing to calm everyone during evacuation
A nurse who was working at a Christian summer camp in central Texas shared video footage of the terrifying moment several girls were being evacuated during deadly flash flooding. Devon Paige, a camp nurse, had been on duty at Camp Mystic, a camp over 100 years old that has hosted daughters of presidents and future first ladies. Water levels of Guadalupe River rose quickly by 26 feet in just 45 minutes, led to flash floods. A sudden storm had dropped more than a foot of rain, which caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and rip through the camp's historic buildings.(Getty Images via AFP) One of the videos Paige shared showed many young girls sitting quietly in the back of a bus, being taken to a reunification center to meet their families. The girls were all singing worship songs during the ride, which Paige said was "to try and calm everyone." Also Read: Why weren't Texas camps evacuated during devastating floods? Surprising details emerge after Camp Mystic tragedy 'Devastating scenes' Devon Paige wrote, "Camp Mystic on a bus to the reunification center. The girls are singing to try and calm everyone. This is footage from the evacuation and everything they saw. I wish you could see before shots to show how truly devastating it is." 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours Over 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours after the flooding started. A sudden storm had dropped more than a foot of rain, which caused the Guadalupe River to overflow and rip through the camp's historic buildings. Many campers and staff were swept away or trapped inside their bunks. So far, 38 adults and 21 children have been confirmed dead. Eighteen of the adult victims and four of the children have not yet been identified. Among those who died were five girls from Camp Mystic, ages 8 and 9, as well as the camp's owner, according to New York Post report. 400 emergency workers searching for 11 girls According to Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, 400 emergency workers from 20 different local, state, and national agencies are still searching for 11 girls and one counselor who are missing from the camp. He gave the update at a press conference on Sunday.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Young Campers Seen Crying and Singing Campfire Songs in Videos as They Evacuated amid Devastating Texas Floods
A nurse, who worked at the Christian summer camp where multiple girls went missing amid the flash flooding that struck central Texas, shared footage of the young campers' evacuation In videos shared on TikTok, a bus full of girls can be heard singing worship songs as they were driven to a reunification point to meet with their parents "I wish you could see 'before' shots to show how truly devastating it is," the nurse wroteA nurse, who worked at the Christian summer camp where multiple girls went missing amid the devastating flash flooding that struck central Texas, shared footage of the campers' harrowing escape. Camp nurse Devon Paige had been working at Camp Mystic — a 100-year-old camp that has served as a summer getaway for the likes of future first ladies and the daughters of presidents, per Politico — when the Guadalupe River began to surge amid historic flash flooding in the region on July 4. In videos on TikTok, Paige detailed how many of Mystic's hundreds of campers escaped on buses and in the back of law enforcement vehicles as their belongings and cabins were swept away by the flood. "This is footage from my evacuation and everything I saw," she captioned one video. "I wish you could see 'before' shots to show how truly devastating it is." One clip showed a large group of girls sitting still in the back of a bus as they were driven to a reunification point to meet up with their parents — and all of them were singing worship songs during the ride "to try and calm everyone," Paige wrote. Another harrowing clip posted on Paige's account showed the nurse and several other adults' reactions to the cars overturned by the flood and trees ripped from the ground, taken from the back of a law enforcement vehicle as they shouted, "Oh, my god!" "Half the camp is on a hill," she wrote in a comment underneath the post, detailing how many staff members and campers came up to the top of the hill seeking safety. "We had no idea the magnitude." Ten girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic are still unaccounted for, authorities said, per CNN. Two families have also confirmed that they lost their daughters in the flood. Lila Bonner and Eloise Peck died after Camp Mystic was inundated by the rain-swollen floodwaters, Fox affiliate KDFW and NBC affiliate KXAS reported. Lila's death was also confirmed to PEOPLE by her relatives. In a statement to PEOPLE, shared on Saturday, July 5, Lila's family said they were "heartbroken." "In the midst of our unimaginable grief, we ask for privacy and are unable to confirm any details at this time," they added. 'We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss." Additionally, the Kansas City Star and The New York Times reported on Sunday that 9-year-old Janie Hunt, a relative of Kansas City Chiefs CEO and chairman Clark Hunt, was killed in the flooding. Clark's wife, Tavia Hunt, shared a post on her Instagram Stories, writing, 'Our hearts are broken by the devastation from the floods in Wimberley and the tragic loss of many lives — including a precious little Hunt cousin, along with several friend's little girls.' Per the BBC, campers Sarah Marsh, a third grader, and 8-year-old Renee Smajstrla also died. "Renee has been found and while not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly," her uncle Shawn Salta wrote on social media, according to the BBC. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. "We are thankful she was with her friends and having the time of her life, as evidenced by this picture from yesterday," Salta added. "She will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic." Additionally, Richard "Dick" Eastland, a father of four and the owner of the private Christian camp, is among those who have died, according to Texas Public Radio, The New York Times and other reports. "[H]is last act of kindness and sacrifice was working to save the lives of campers," a friend, Paige W. Sumner, wrote in a tribute to him in the local Kerrville Daily Times. Dick and his wife, Tweety Eastland, had been with the camp since 1974 and were third-generation managers of the facility, which has been in their family since 1939, according to the Camp Mystic website. Flooding in the Guadalupe River caused it to reach its second-highest height ever, ABC News reported. The area received at least 10 inches of rain, per San Antonio outlet KSAT. Kerr County, which is approximately 50 miles northwest of San Antonio, has been hit especially hard by the floods. The city of Kerrville declared a state of emergency due to the floods, while Hunt (also in Kerr County) experienced more than six inches of rain in three hours on Friday, which is a "1-in-100-year event" in the region, according to CNN. CNN reported that the flooded region experienced "more than an entire summer's worth of rain" in a matter of hours. 'This may be a once-in-a-lifetime flood," Clint Morris, a Kerr County Sheriff's Office spokesperson, told KSAT. He added that it was "an extremely active scene, countywide." The Associated Press reported that as of Sunday night, the death toll has risen to 79, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said there were 41 people still missing across the state. To learn how to help support the victims and recovery efforts from the Texas floods, click here. Read the original article on People
