Latest news with #KerrCountySheriff'sOffice
Newsweek
2 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Searches Enter Third Day as 70 Dead in Central Texas Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hundreds of first responders continue to comb through the Hill Country region of Texas for a third straight day after fatal flash floods swept through the region early Friday, killing nearly 70 people, with dozens still missing. Why It Matters Fast-moving floodwaters surged 26 feet along the Guadalupe River before dawn on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles in Texas Hill Country. The high-volume rainfall has killed dozens of people, while others remain missing and displaced. More than 850 people have been rescued in the last 36 hours, with search crews using helicopters, boats, and drones to locate victims and rescue people stranded in trees and isolated camps. The National Weather Service has activated several flood warnings across Texas, many of which are expected to last until at least Monday morning. Flooding is the second deadliest weather hazard in the United States after extreme heat, with most fatalities occurring when vehicles are swept away by rising waters. Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6 in Hunt, Texas. Search and rescue workers dig through debris looking for any survivors or remains of people swept up in the flash flooding on July 6 in Hunt, To Know In a Sunday update, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office noted that hundreds of local, state, and national, first responders are carrying out search efforts via ground, air, and water. "At present, there are over 400 first responders from more than 20 agencies at work in Kerr County. We have more than a dozen K9 units working in and near the river," the office wrote in a Facebook post Sunday morning. Kerr County is home to Kerrville, which was hit hardest by the floods, with local officials confirming 59 people died in the county from the floods. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said in a Saturday press conference, "We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who's been a victim of this flooding event. We're not going to stop today or tomorrow. This is a 24/7 operation, looking for Texans and Americans." He vowed to "find every one of them." The state has deployed more than 1,300 personnel, and more than 900 vehicles and equipment assets in the search efforts. More than 15 state agencies are currently responding to flooding threats across the state, according to the governor's website. President Donald Trump issued a "Major Disaster Declaration" for the region, providing first responders access to more resources to continue their recovery efforts. In his social media post about the matter, he noted the Coast Guard's role in saving hundreds of people's lives in the region. What People Are Saying Democratic Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said in a CNN interview Sunday: "I know they're still searching for a lot of people, so we need to make sure that those in the boats and those in the helicopters have an unobstructed way to get to these places." Representative Joaquin Castro, a Texas Democrat, told CNN on Sunday: "Obviously the priority is on making sure that those girls are found and are saved —and anybody else who may be missing at this point—and then I think after that, we have to figure out in the future how we make sure that it doesn't happen again." President Donald Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday: "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." Senator John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, said in an X, formerly Twitter, post on Sunday: "It's a very sad time, but we have seen remarkable heroism from our first responders & volunteers. As rescue efforts continue, Texans remain unified in prayer." What Happens Next? Abbott will hold a press briefing about the state's response to the flooding at 2:30 p.m. local time on Sunday. The press conference will be livestreamed on Facebook on the Texas Division of Emergency Management's page.
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Donald Trump Signs Disaster Declaration for Deadly Texas Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump announced that he signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for the deadly floods in Texas Hill Country in a post on Truth Social Sunday. The declaration comes as rescue and recovery operations enter a third day following the devastating floods. "I just signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County, Texas, to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need," Trump said in the post. 59 people are confirmed dead in the floods as of Sunday morning, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick told Fox News. "We expect that to go higher sadly," Patrick said. Of those recovered, 12 adults and 5 children are pending identification, according to a post on Facebook from the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. There are still more than 20 children believed to be missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian camp that lies along the Guadalupe River. "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," President Trump continued in the post. "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!" Trump concluded. This is a breaking news story. Updates to come.
Metro
12 hours ago
- Climate
- Metro
Last words of hero dad who died helping his family escape Texas flash floods
A father of three who sacrificed himself to save his family from the Texas flash floods told them, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all.' Julian Ryan, 27, died after the Guadalupe River in central Texas rose 30 feet and flooded into his family's home. At least 51 people including 15 children have died in the flash floods that have swept through Kerr County in central Texas. Ryan's fiancée, Christina Wilson, said she and her family had been sleeping when the water in their home rose to knee-level in '20 minutes'. 'We ran back into the room and we started calling 911, but the water just kept coming. We had no choice but to get out,' she said. In a bid to save his family, Ryan punched a window to help his partner, three children, and his mum reach the roof – but sliced open his arm in the process. Ryan severed an artery and nearly cut his arm off. Emergency responders weren't able to reach the family in time, and he died of his injuries hours later. Wilson added: 'He looked at me, the kids, and his mother and said, 'I'm sorry, I'm not going to make it. I love y'all.' Search and rescue operations are continuing in 'harsh' terrain after the Guadalupe River rose overnight Thursday and devastated several towns. At least 27 children are still missing from Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' summer camp which is located on the river. Emergency services have evacuated more than 850 uninjured people and eight injured people, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said on Saturday afternoon. More Trending Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr said that 'it will be a hard day' as he outlined how people 'from across the state and the world' can help via following the city's Facebook page. Texas Governor Greg Abbott vowed that authorities would work around the clock and said new areas were being searched as the water receded. He 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. Authorities were coming under scrutiny about whether the camps and residents in places long vulnerable to flooding had received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Desperate search for missing children after Texas floods leave at least 51 dead MORE: Legendary restaurant chain launches UK 'comeback' with new menu after rescue MORE: Trump crony who said eating with your hands is 'uncivilised' clearly forgot how Trump eats
The Hill
18 hours ago
- Climate
- The Hill
Texas flooding death toll hits 43; Rep's daughters evacuated safely from summer camp
The death toll from the flooding caused by thunderstorms in Texas has risen to at least 43 individuals, authorities reported on Saturday, and the death toll continues to rise as emergency response teams work. Multiple young girls attending Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, are unaccounted for as heavy rainfall sweeps through the area. Rep. August Pfluger (R-Texas) confirmed he was reunited with his daughters, who were attending the Christian camp that flooded in the west-central portion of the state. 'Camille, Vivian and I are now reunited with Caroline and Juliana who were evacuated from Camp Mystic. The last day has brought unimaginable grief to many families and we mourn with them as well as holding out hope for survivors,' Pfluger wrote in a Saturday post on X. 'We want to thank the first responders who have come from far and wide to save lives' he added. Kerr County's Sheriff's Office said as of 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, they had recovered 43 deceased, including 28 adults and 15 children. Twelve adults are pending identification, and 5 children are also pending identification, according to law enforcement. 'The work continues, and will continue, until everyone is found,' Kerr County Sheriff's Office wrote in a statement on Facebook. In response to the disaster, Gov. Greg Abbott (R) issued a proclamation to declare Sunday a day of prayer in honor of the lives lost during the storm. 'I urge Texans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers on that day for the healing of individuals, safety of our first responders and public safety officers, rebuilding of communities, and restoration of the region struck by this disaster,' Abbott wrote.
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Texas Deadly Floods: Who Are the Victims?
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. As rescue and reunification operations continue, the identities of victims in the deadly flooding in Texas' Hill Country have been released by their families. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters during a press conference on Saturday morning that 27 people are dead, 18 of them adults and nine children. "Six adults and 1 child are currently unidentified," an updated post on Facebook from the Kerr County Sheriff's Office said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the deceased and their loved ones. We are working hard to locate anyone who is still missing and ensure they are safe." It is unclear exactly how many people are missing, but more than 20 campers are believed to be missing from Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp, Rice said. Newsweek has reached out to family and employers for some victims via email and on Facebook on Saturday. Why It Matters Months' worth of rainfall fell within just a few hours in Texas' Hill Country on Friday, overwhelming riverfront communities and forcing emergency teams to evacuate children's summer camps threatened by rising water. In central Kerr County, up to 10 inches of rain inundated the area overnight, causing the Guadalupe River to swell rapidly and overflow its banks, sparking widespread flash flooding. Thousands of personnel have been deployed in a 24/7 operations to rescue those swept away by the floods along the river. The area devastated by the floods sits about 60 miles northwest of San Antonio. At least 850 uninjured people and eight injured people have been rescued as of Saturday morning, according to a post from the Kerr County Sheriff's Office. Who Are the Victims? At least one girl from Camp Mystic, 9-year-old Janie Hunt, has died, CNN reported, citing a message from the girl's mother sent to the outlet. "We are just praying," Janie's mother told CNN on Friday before confirming her child's death. A nearby camp, Heart O' The Hills, also suffered the loss of its director and co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, according to a statement from the camp on its website. "We at the camp are stunned and deeply saddened by Jane's death. She embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop with the girls entrusted to us each summer," the camp said in its statement. It added: "The extent of damage to camp facilities is still being determined, but it is serious. Access to the site is difficult, and authorities are primarily focused on locating the missing and preventing further loss of life and property." Another victim, Katheryn Eads, was recovered, according to a post on Facebook from her mother, Elizabeth Moss Grover, The Washington Post reported. "UPDATE ON KATHY! She was recovered this afternoon. God has her now. Thanks for all the prayers," the updated post from Grover said. Earlier, Grover posted that Kathy's husband had been found alive. "Update! We are with Brian and he is okay physically. Kathy is still missing. We are at the reunification center waiting on news. Thank you all for the prayers," the post said. The Washington Post reported that Eads had previously worked at the company Olive Branch Counseling and Training, based in Texas. The company's owner, Amy Hutchinson, told the newspaper in an email, "Katheryn was a hope and a light to all who knew her." People climb over debris on a bridge atop the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area on July 5 in Ingram, Texas. People climb over debris on a bridge atop the Guadalupe River after a flash flood swept through the area on July 5 in Ingram, Texas. AP Photo/Julio Cortez How to Report a Missing Person A shelter has opened in Kerrville for those needing assistance at First United Methodist Church, located at 321 Thompson Drive, the sheriff's office said in a post. For those that want to report a missing person, there are two options, phone and email. The information can be called in at 830.258.1111 or emailed at floodrecovery@ The information about the missing will be shared with relief and incident managers, the post said. The post added that those submitting emails are asked to "include last known location and identifying details." What People Are Saying Amy Hutchinson, former coworker of Katheryn Eads, told The Washington Post in an email: "A daughter, a wife, a mother, grandmother, friend and colleague. She was a stellar counselor and professor and she simply just made everything better. Katheryn was changing lives." The Kerr County Sheriff's Office said in a post on Facebook: "Our first responders along have been working tirelessly and will continue to conduct search and rescue operations until everyone is accounted for." President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday: "The Trump Administration is working with State and Local Officials on the ground in Texas in response to the tragic flooding that took place yesterday. Our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, will be there shortly. Melania and I are praying for all of the families impacted by this horrible tragedy. Our Brave First Responders are on site doing what they do best. GOD BLESS THE FAMILIES, AND GOD BLESS TEXAS!" What Happens Next? Multiple local, state and federal agencies are continuing to search for survivors among the flood debris. A reunification center has also been opened for families seeking their loved ones following the floods. At least two more press conferences are expected with updates from officials on the ongoing operations in Texas. Those who want to help are encouraged to go to the Kerrville City Facebook page for more information.
