Latest news with #MichaelPhillips
Hindustan Times
01-08-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
How many people are still missing from the deadly Texas floods?
As Central Texas continues to recover from devastating floods, the search for missing individuals remains ongoing. WFAA has confirmed that at least three people are still unaccounted for. On Tuesday, a memorial was held in Marble Falls for volunteer fire department chief Michael Phillips as the recovery crew continues efforts to recover his body. Central Texas flood recovery efforts are ongoing as three individuals remain missing: Cile Steward, Jeff Ramsey, and Michael Phillips. Photographer: Eli Hartman/Bloomberg(Bloomberg) Also Read: NYC floods: Videos show MTA bus flooded in Brooklyn, LIRR train stranded in Queens; rescue efforts underway Who are the three people still missing after the Texas floods? KVUE in Austin reported that the search is ongoing for Cile Steward, who is 8 years old and is the last camper missing from Camp Mystic. In addition, Jeff Ramsey's family from Lewisville confirmed on Tuesday that he is still missing as well. Eric Steele, brother-in-law of Ramsey shared, "He hasn't been found yet. So we're doing as good as we can be with what's going on. I don't understand how there's one or two or even three. I mean there's definitely more than that." Ramsey acted as a hero for his family as he called up his family, alerting them about the rising water levels while he and his wife, Tanya, were in a cabin opposite the HTR camp along the Guadalupe River. While Tanya's body was recovered several days later, the search for Ramsey's body continues. His ex-wife, Claire Traweek Ramsey, shared with WFAA, "It's just terrible for my children, it's terrible for my children, the not knowing. We are a family of faith and we have prayed and prayed and prayed." The Ramsey family is set to organise a memorial service for him and Tanya, regardless of whether he is found or not, next week. Claire added, 'We want people still looking for him. He's still missing. We want them looking. We want them to know that he's still missing.' A GoFundMe page has also been set up by the family to help Ramsey's adult children with expenses related to travel, funeral, and miscellaneous activities. As confirmed by the Joint Information Center in Kerrville to WFAA, the two people who are missing are Cile Steward and Jeff Ramsey. The third person unaccounted for is Michael Phillips, who is missing in Burnet County.
New York Times
19-07-2025
- New York Times
Why Are More Than 100 People Still Missing in Texas, 2 Weeks After the Floods?
In the days after the deadly July 4 floods in Central Texas, Megan Newton spent hours sitting outside her parents' home in Marble Falls, looking overhead to spot medical choppers among the Black Hawk helicopters searching for the missing. 'I was just waiting for someone to call and say, 'We found him,'' Ms. Newton, 41, said, 'that 'we've got him and he's good.'' Since then, her hope has waned for her father, Michael Phillips, 66, the chief of the volunteer fire department in Marble Falls, about 80 miles north of San Antonio. Yet his name remains among more than 100 people still missing statewide after floodwaters roared through summer camps, riverside homes, campgrounds and R.V. parks, claiming at least 135 lives. As days have turned into weeks, the number of missing, still stubbornly high, may be the flood's biggest lingering question. The total in Kerr County, the epicenter of the disaster, dropped this week to 97 from 173, and then stalled, raising still more questions. At least four others are missing or unidentified from Travis County, just east of Kerr. And one person — Mr. Phillips — is missing from Burnet County, and still others across the region might be out there. 'Even though we are reporting 97 people missing,' in Kerr County, Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas told reporters on Monday, 'there's no certainty that all 97 of those people were swept away by the storm.' The fluctuation of the numbers has only contributed to the puzzlement, as bodies are recovered and it becomes clear that some counts are incorrect. Mr. Abbott has said that in the days following the floods, local and state officials were better able to identify people from out of town who had come to the Hill Country to stay at camps and hotels. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Last known missing person from Burnet County is Marble Falls area volunteer fire chief, sheriff says
MARBLE FALLS, Texas (KXAN) — The last person unaccounted for from this weekend's catastrophic flood in Burnet County is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips, who was swept away while helping others get to safety. MAP: Where have flash flooding fatalities been confirmed in Texas? Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd told KXAN crews Tuesday morning that search and rescue efforts are ongoing for Phillips, whose last known location was near FM 1174 at Cow Creek. Boyd said search teams from numerous agencies are covering the ground and sky via helicopters and drones. He said 12 K-9s were also aiding in the search Tuesday. Phillips' vehicle and personal items were found early on in the search after floodwaters receded. Boyd said the area where Phillips was last seen has treacherous terrain, which has made the search even more difficult for teams. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 4 dead, 2 missing in Burnet County flooding; Volunteer fire chief still missing Phillips became the final missing person in Burnet County's search after a body was recovered Monday night, Boyd said. In total, Boyd said six people were reported missing after the flood, with five now recovered deceased. He said 62 people were rescued. He said the numerous agencies helping in search, rescue and recovery efforts are working around the clock to locate Phillips. Boyd said knowing a fellow first responder is still waiting to be found has added another layer of emotion to this search. 'It's difficult searching for anybody but when it's one of your own it makes it a little more difficult. Searching for the Chief is a little more difficult on us, but you know, we just do the job. That's what we do,' Boyd said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Central Texas Food Bank to distribute food in counties impacted by flooding
AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Central Texas Food Bank, or CTFB, announced it would hold special emergency distributions for three counties impacted by the July 4 floods. BLOG: Search for missing continues July 10 as Texas community grieves CTFB said its first distribution would take place in Burnet County Friday from 1-2 p.m. at 549 East Farm-to-Market Road 243 in Bertram. The second distribution will take place Monday in Llano County from 4-6 p.m. at the Kingsland Community Center located at 3451 Rose Hill Drive. Travis County will also have daily distributions, with no fixed hours, at the Round Mountain Baptist Church at 14500 Round Mountain Road in Leander, according to CTFB. In San Saba, distributions will be held Saturday, July 12, from 1-2 p.m. at First Methodist Church San Saba, located at 204 W. Brown Street. The final location is in Andice on Tuesday, July 15, from 9 – 10 a.m. at Santa Rosa de Lima Catholic Church, located at 6571 FM 970. How to help local Texas communities impacted by flooding 'We recognize that in times like these, having access to nutritious food and clean water can help restore strength, stability, and a sense of normalcy during a time of crisis,' said Sari M. Vatske, Central Texas Food Bank president and CEO. As of Thursday, Travis County confirmed there have been seven people killed and 10 missing after the July 4 flooding event. Burnet County said five people were killed and one person is missing, which is Michael Phillips, the chief of the Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
4 dead, 2 missing in Burnet County flooding; Volunteer fire chief still missing
AUSTIN (KXAN) — An additional death has been confirmed in Burnet County, bringing the total to four, officials said in a press conference this afternoon. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office is still actively searching for two more people that remain missing. One of the missing people is Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said Monday they found his vehicle and personal items through drones and on-the-ground efforts. Boyd previously said Phillips went missing while attempting a rescue near FM 1174 at Cow Creek. The other person missing is a man from the Burnet area. His vehicle was also found. Names are not being released at this point. Boyd said that the Burnet County has rescued 62 people so far. 'Anywhere from people that were stranded in their attics, to people in trees or on the top of their vehicles,' Boyd said. The humidity and heat is causing search and rescue responders to be changed every couple hours, according to Boyd. With all the debris that the flood brought downstream, helicopters are being used to drop off the responders. This morning's rain kept responders away from some of the low-lying areas out of precaution, according to Boyd. It also added new road closures to the map. 'We didn't want to take a chance with any of our folks who are out there working hard,' he said. The search hasn't changed a lot since operations in Burnet County swung into full effect Saturday. With some of the low-level crossings in the midst of repair, Boyd said that the option for vehicles to drive in will change the search plan. Once the terrain becomes less drenched with water, horses and ATVs will be employed. Currently, foot, dog and drone searches are primarily being used. 'I would love to wrap it up today, but it just depends on how long it takes to find these individuals,' Boyd said. 'We are committed to finding these folks. We want to find them.' SUNDAY LIVE BLOG: Rescue efforts continue in Central Texas after 'catastrophic' flash flooding According to the National Weather Service (NWS), a Flash Flood emergency was put into effect for Burnet County shortly after 5 a.m. NWS said that 5-12' of rain occurred, with an additional 2-5″ possible. 'This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation with life-threatening flash flooding. Seek higher ground if near a flooded creek or stream,' NWS said. Operations in Burnet County were in full effect Saturday, with nearly 20 water rescues underway as flood waters moved through Central Texas. According to the Burnet County Office of Emergency Management (BCOEM), first responders were working 19 different water rescues in the area. In an update, BCOEM confirmed a firefighter was swept away during a rescue. As of 11:36 a.m., the office said crews were attempting to find them. 'All these issues are being handled based on situational urgency,' BCOEM said. 'All agencies within Burnet County are all coordinating these rescues.' The office said several roadways in the area were inaccessible. Those roadways included: Highway 29 to Hamilton Creek Between Burnet and Bertram Highway 281 North (approximately at County Rd 108) Highway 281 at Park Rd 4 1174 to 1431 1431 at Cow Creek Rd. Numerous other county roads 'We are urging everyone to stay home to avoid these high-water dangers. People have already been rescued from trees and cars, several have also called in with high or rising water near their homes,' BCOEM said. The city of Burnet said those affected by flooding or in need of a safe place to go, the Burnet Community Center, located at 401 East Jackson Street, was open for evacuations. In an update Saturday night, BCSO said emergency responders performed more than 50 rescues. Those operations were suspended Saturday night and continued Sunday morning. BCSO Captain Mike Sorenson confirmed that three people died. One of the missing persons included Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Phillips. Burnet County Sheriff Calvin Boyd said Phillips went missing while attempting a rescue near FM 1174 at Cow Creek. 'If you can stay home, don't travel. Everyone wants to go out and look at the high water and the wreckage but we ask you to stay home at this point,' said Boyd on Saturday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
