Latest news with #RobKelly
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Texas flooding updates: New round of thunderstorms hampers rescue efforts
Editor's Note: This page is a summary of news on Texas flooding for Monday, July 14. For the latest news, view our story for Tuesday, July 15. Another round of storms in central Texas impaired rescue efforts and threatened to bring more hurt to a region slammed by flooding that has killed at least 132 people. The National Weather Service forecast thunderstorms producing "excessive rainfall and potential flooding" Monday and Tuesday. A flood watch was extended through Tuesday morning for more than a dozen counties. Among them: Kerr County, where at least 106 people were killed when the Guadalupe River roared over its banks on the Fourth of July. The number of people missing is down from about 160 to 101, with 97 of those in Kerr County, Texas, Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters. A large percentage of those unaccounted for are likely visitors to the area, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said at a commissioners meeting. "It's the tourists that came in for the Fourth weekend, the concert, the fireworks'' Kelly said. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost. We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the river with families in the them. Can't find trailers.' Rainfall amounts of 1-3 inches and isolated amounts of up to 6 inches on already saturated terrain are possible into Tuesday, the weather service said. "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations,'' officials warned. "Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks.'' Developments: ∎ An additional five counties − Burnet, Llano, Mason, McCulloch and Tom Green − have been added to President Donald Trump's major disaster declaration because of the flooding in central Texas, making it now 10 counties that are eligible for federal assistance, Abbott said. ∎ The Kerrville Park and Recreation Department said it would go forth with its "Movies in the Park'' series Friday "in the spirit of unity and resilience.'' ∎ A search and rescue team sent by Alabama arrived in Texas on Monday and hit the ground running, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey said. Search and rescue effort could take months Storms that swept through the region Sunday prompted dozens of high-water rescues in the Lampasas area, about 100 miles northeast of Kerrville. Flash flooding also delayed search, rescue and recovery efforts in Kerr County "half to three-quarters of a day," although they were once again underway Monday, County Sheriff Larry Leitha said. Leitha said more than 2,000 people from multiple agencies were assisting the effort, and that he had been assured by Abbott and Trump that all needed resources would be provided. "How long is it gonna take? Who knows? I think we will go strong for another month or two, up to maybe six months winding down as we move on," Leitha said. "We continue to have the resources and assets we need, and we will keep looking." Camp director was warned ahead of tragic flood Camp Mystic Executive Director Richard 'Dick' Eastland did not begin to evacuate the young campers sleeping near the Guadalupe River for more than an hour after he received a severe flood warning from the National Weather Service on July 4, his family told the Washington Post through a spokesman. Eastland rallied family members on walkie-talkies to 'assess the situation' soon after the alert went out, said Jeff Carr, the family's spokesman. The flood soon devastated the 725-acre campus in Kerr County, killing 27 counselors and campers. Eastland died trying to rescue some of the youngest girls, the Post said. Volunteers recalled amid harsh weather The heavy rain forecast for already saturated areas of central Texas prompted officials in Kerrville to call off help from volunteers Monday. "Due to the incoming threatening weather, all volunteers should vacate the river area, and MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND for their safety,'' the city, which serves as the Kerr County seat, said in a social media post. "Only teams working under the direction of Kerr County Emergency Operations Center Unified Command are permitted in the response zone.'' Legions of volunteers, including fellow Texans and folks from other states and even Mexico, have come to the aid of those impacted by the flooding calamity in central Texas. Kerr County leaders meet, face scrutiny The Kerr County Commissioners' Court was holding its first bimonthly meeting on Monday since floods ravaged the county 10 days ago. Local officials have come under scrutiny for not installing flood warning sirens along the Guadalupe River. Kelly said last week that county officials considered sirens several years ago but dismissed the idea because "the public reeled at the cost." At the meeting, Kelly asked residents to be patient. "We have been up to our eyeballs in search and rescue, and search and rescue remains our top priority," he said. "It also includes recovery. Just be patient with it as we go forward." FEMA warns residents about scammers, impostors Natural disasters often leave victims at their most vulnerable, presenting scammers with opportunities to take advantage of them. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is warning residents of the areas affected by the flooding to look out for fraudsters pretending to represent FEMA to gain access to their money or personal information. "In some cases, thieves try to apply for FEMA assistance using names, addresses and Social Security numbers they have stolen from survivors,'' the agency said in a news release, advising residents not to share banking information with anyone claiming to be a FEMA housing inspector. The release also says any purported representative who attempts to charge for disaster assistance, an inspection or help filling out an application, or who promises a disaster grant in exchange for payment, is an impostor. San Saba River exceeds 30 feet, local officials say The city of San Saba, about 100 miles north of Kerrville in San Saba County, urged residents close to the river to be prepared because of rising waters. County Judge Jody Fauley issued a mandatory evacuation for parts of the city, noting that the "river is rising faster than it did on July 4." Some roads won't reopen until at least Tuesday, he said. "Obviously none of us expected to have two, 70-year floods within a week of each other," Fauley said in a video posted on social media. "Y'all be careful." Heavy rains slam area Monday The weather service office in San Antonio said early Monday that a "dangerous situation" was occurring in parts of Uvalde, Real, Bandera and Kerr Counties and 2-5 inches of rain had fallen in less than 4 hours. "More heavy rain is on the way. Flooding is already happening," the weather service said on social media. A flood warning was in effect on the Guadalupe River at Hunt, a few miles west of Kerrville. The river is expected to reach moderate flood stage at about 11 a.m. local time at 14.6 feet, up from 8.45 feet a few hours earlier. "Seek higher ground along the river bank," Kerrville police warned on social media. Timeline of tragedy: How the floods unfolded In the early days of July, pieces of weather systems were converging to bring devastation to the Texas Hill Country, transforming the Guadalupe River into a monster raging out of its banks in the pre-dawn hours of July 4. At least 129 people have died, and at least 160 are listed as missing. The hours leading up to the disaster, and the actions taken to protect the lives of those in the water's hellish fury, are critical to understanding what happened and whether more could have been done in the name of safety. Through a National Weather Service messaging service with emergency management officials and broadcast meteorologists, U.S. Geological Survey data and other records, USA TODAY has pieced together a timeline of the calamity on the Guadalupe. See the details here. − Dinah Voyles Pulver This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas flooding: Region swamped with rain, flash flooding risks
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Fate of dozens remains unknown in Texas flooding: 'Don't know how many were lost'
Around 100 people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of flooding that devastated central Texas and killed more than 130 people, authorities say. Gov. Greg Abbott said 97 people were still listed as missing in the greater Kerrville area, down from 160-plus about a week ago. There are also four from other counties. Some of those still sought may have been reported missing in error, Abbott said. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of those unaccounted for were probably visiting the area. He said many tourists had come for the Independence Day weekend fireworks and concert. Historic flooding overwhelmed the banks of the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," Kelly said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the river with families in them. Can't find trailers.' Abbott, who visited some of the flood-devastated areas Monday, said state lawmakers would investigate the disaster preparedness and emergency response to the flooding at a special legislative session to convene later this month. "We remain unrelenting in our 24/7 operation to save and protect lives," Abbott said in a social media post. "Texas is a community. We are Texas strong." Texas flooding updates: New round of thunderstorms hampers rescue efforts Grim reality looms: Search for missing Texas flood victims presses on Other states aiding Texas recovery California sent a team of more than two dozen state and local personnel and a cache of equipment and supplies to help Texas in the flooding aftermath. Virginia sent multiple search and rescue teams. Oklahoma sent swift-water rescue and Human Remains Detection K-9 teams, and Florida also sent swift-water rescue teams. New York, Indiana, Alabama and Maine were among other states providing support for Texas as it struggles to recover from the July 4 storm and subsequent rains and lesser flooding. "Thanks to @GovKathyHochul for sending a K-9 team to support our search & rescue efforts in Central Texas,'' Abbott said of his New York counterpart in a social media post. "The quick support from states across the country are crucial in our response and recovery.'' Hospitals get $1.9 million to repairs, staffing The Texas Health and Human Services Commission awarded about $1.9 million in grants to hospitals in Kerrville and Llano on Tuesday. The emergency funding will help repair damage to the hospitals and equipment, provide staffing support and "address any operational issues," Abbott said in a statement. "Our health care professionals are working tirelessly on the front lines to help heal Texans who have been injured during these devastating floods," Abbott said. He thanked first responders and health care personnel "for working day and night" to take care of Regional Medical Center in Kerrville will receive emergency hardship grants of $1.5 million while Llano Regional Hospital gets $396,000. Grants, loans available for businesses The nonprofit organization LiftFund said it will provide grants of up to $10,000 each for small businesses and employees in Kerr and surrounding counties effected by the floods. Many small businesses suffered a flood-related tragedy such as the loss of a loved one or damaged property that disrupted the ability to function as a business. LiftFund is also offering 36-month, 0% loans of up to $50,000. Representatives are providing assistance to business owners in person at Happy State Bank through Thursday. LiftFund says the money can be used for replacing lost inventory, temporary closure costs, flood-related cleanup and "essential business continuity needs." Kerrville hosting outdoor movie night, seeks 'moments of togetherness In Kerrville, the epicenter for the flooding, authorities and residents are determined to move forward. In the "spirit of unity and resilience," the city parks department said Movies in the Park will return July 18. Because of flooding issues, the event was moved to a baseball field, where the film will begin rolling at dusk. "We believe that such moments of togetherness are vital for healing," the department said in a social media post. "We hope you will join us for a peaceful evening under the stars." More heavy rain, flooding possible Tuesday Torrential rains in recent days have hampered recovery efforts, and a flood watch for 12 counties in central Texas − including hard-hit Kerr County − was extended until 9 p.m. CT Tuesday. An additional 1 to 4 inches of rain was possible, the National Weather Service said, adding: "Soils are very saturated and rivers are already running at elevated levels, meaning any additional downpours could result in a quick river rise.'' Finally, a break from the storms in Hill Country is expected soon after. "The tropical moisture that has been streaming into central Texas will shift away from the region, bringing drier conditions to the center of the state," AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus said. The long-range forecast calls for wet weather to return by the end of the month, according to AccuWeather, which said recovery crews and residents should remain "weather-aware" as the risk of flash flooding remains. Search crews will also be dealing with brutal heat: Temperatures will climb into the lower 90s across Texas Hill Country this week and could near 100 in some spots, AccuWeather said. How the flooding tragedy unfolded Heavy rainfall, rocky terrain and the nearby Gulf climate combined to quickly turn the Guadalupe River into a destructive torrent across Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. The swath of land – including Camp Mystic, where at least 27 children and counselors were killed – has earned the nickname "flash flood alley," and hundreds have died there over the years. A series of weather events conspired to create tragedy. It began with moisture from Tropical Storm Barry that drifted over Texas in the first few days of July, said Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office. There, it collided with an upper-level low pressure system, which parked it in place. Read more here. See how the Texas floods unfolded: Why Camp Mystic was in a hazardous location Contributing: Reuters This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas floods 11 days later: Fate of dozens still unknown
The Advertiser
4 days ago
- Climate
- The Advertiser
More than 130 dead and 100 missing after Texas floods
The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
More than 130 dead and 100 missing after Texas floods
The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Climate
- Perth Now
More than 130 dead and 100 missing after Texas floods
The search for the more than 100 people missing after devastating floods in Texas will take months, officials say, as the death toll rose to at least 133. Search efforts in the Hill Country area, characterised by its mountainous terrain, resumed on Tuesday after being paused due to heavy rain. In Kerr County, the worst affected area, the number of fatalities rose to 107, including at least 36 children, according to officials. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of people missing for were probably visiting the area. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," he said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the (Guadalupe River) with families in them. Can't find trailers." Dozens of volunteers and emergency teams are continuing to dig through the rubble and search through kilometres of properties. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said 97 people were reported missing in Kerr. Abbott said those people were not registered in a "camp or a hotel." The floods struck during the July 4 public holiday in the United States for Independence Day. Hundreds of tourists had travelled to Texas Hill Country, a popular destination due to its proximity to the Guadalupe River, which overflowed, causing the disaster. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said the process to find all the missing people would take up to six months. Local authorities have faced scrutiny over Leitha's response to the floods and deficiencies in the alert system. An investigation by The New York Times revealed despite a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) warning the region would "likely" flood in 2025, Kerr County had not received funding to improve the flood alert system. In a report published in 2024, FEMA estimated that the cost of the new system, concentrating on the Guadalupe River, would be $US1 million, the newspaper said. Between the night of July 3 and early July 4, the National Weather Service recorded between 127 and 279mm of rain in Kerr, Bandera, Tom Green, and Kendall counties. with AP
