Latest news with #Shiflet
19-07-2025
- General
How 2 men helped a camp for kids with disabilities rebuild amid deadly Texas floods
A summer camp in central Texas designed for children with disabilities that had severe damage following the deadly flooding that hit the region was unexpectedly able to open on time this summer, thanks, in part, to the help from two men and hundreds of volunteers. CAMP's, the Children's Association for Maximum Potential, camp saw its riverfront and grounds destroyed, while its main facilities on higher ground were thankfully not drastically impacted, facilities director Ken Kaiser told ABC News. The two men, Rusty Bourland and Cord Shiflet, didn't know each other, but they met by chance as both were motivated to help others following the floods that started on July 4. There are at least 134 deaths attributed to the flooding, a majority in Kerr County. And 101 people are still missing. In some of the most affected areas, more than 20 inches of rain fell in a matter of hours. The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet in less than an hour. Bourland, who owns a landscaping business in Austin, Texas, and Shiflet, an Austin real estate agent and content creator, showed up to work in Center Point, Texas and began talking about the sites that needed the most help. Both had heard whispers about a place called CAMP, but had no idea where it was or why it was so special. "The place is amazing and it just makes me so emotional talking about it," Shiflet, holding back tears, told ABC News. Shiflet said he remembers the first time he walked into the summer camp. "I just knew that when I asked people to help, they would show up. They'd come out in spades to help with stuff or to volunteer,' he said. And that's exactly what happened, they said. On the first day, the two arrived at the camp on July 9, hoping to have 100 people, but were surprised when over 275 showed up. On day two, more than 300 attended. By day three, more than 500 came to help, and by day four, they believed there were over 1,000 volunteers. Their mission was to clean up the debris and make the place ready to open just nine days after the floods hit. Giant trees were uprooted, lots of equipment, benches and picnic tables were washed down the river. So much was gone. Victims were found in the area, officials said, so their mission moved slowly and methodically out of respect for people who were impacted. "Our priority was to clear pathways leading to the waterfront. Easier said than done," Bourland said. "Thirty people would stand around the excavators to watch and make and sure there wasn't victims in those piles."The skid steer would come in and move a pile, with more people looking to make sure there were no victims. "Then, if all was clear, that step was a burn pile," Bourland said. Shiflet utilized his social media platforms to garner donations and attract people from all over the country to help. Bourland, who had been called on in the past to help with clean-up projects after Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Bill, coordinated the cleanup. He knew how to work the equipment that would be needed for the debris, where to get it and how to manage teams of people. The emotionally and physically draining days paid off, they said. "So much has gone on recently with politics and everyone being nasty to each other. And that's the way it's felt lately," Shiflet said. "This felt so good to see everyone coming out for one purpose. Minnesota, Arizona, Florida, Alabama and even Mexico. There were so many good people that reached out and came in from all over the country. It was heartwarming to feel and see that." On Sunday, July 13, CAMP welcomed campers back, Susan Osborne CAMP's CEO told ABC News. 'You know, I think that our campers just love what we do. They enjoy to go out fishing and canoeing and swimming and horseback riding and all the things that we provide,' Osborne said. 'I was a little hesitant. I think when we first contacted parents, I thought maybe we might have some mass cancellations, but as we were communicating a lot with our parents, we wanted to let them know that we were okay and that everybody was safe.' After more than a week of volunteering, Shiflet and Bourland went home to their families. A project that should have taken months to finish, was completed in four days and left the pair with a desire to do more, they said. "I left this project a changed person,' Shiflet said. ' I just realized what's important in the world and what I've been doing. Forget all the other stuff and focus on this. I need to be there for my community and do more.' "I had no idea we'd be rebuilding anything. I was just going down there as a volunteer to help," Bourland said. "Honestly, it was the most unbelievable amount of emotions that came over me - Other than the day I married my wife."
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Fact check: Report claims Texas flood miracle rescue of two girls clinging to a tree for over 24 hours is false; check details
An unprecedented flash flood has hit Central Texas since Friday. Heavy rains sent the Guadalupe River rushing through Kerr County and the neighbouring areas, claiming 70 lives, including 21 children. Amid the devastating flash floods in Texas, a story has been circulating on social media since July 6 about the miraculous rescue of two young girls who were found clinging to a tree in Comfort, Texas, for over 24 hours. But how accurate is this news? Let's find out. According to the current condition, the flash floods soared 26 feet in under an hour and have tragically claimed 70 lives, including 21 children, with over 800 people rescued from the deluge, according to the Associated Press. Report claims two girls found alive, clinging to a 27-foot lone tree According to the Daily Times, during the grim search-and-rescue operations, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered a shocking update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were found alive, clinging 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Centre Point. While recounting the incident, Shiflet said, 'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver.' After the discovery, both the young girls were airlifted safely; however, their miraculous survival offers a rare beacon of hope among people. According to Chord Shiflet, a member of the rescue team, during their search operation, the girls had been holding on to the tree for over 24 hours before being discovered six miles downstream from where they were last spotted. Ever seen a wall of water come crashing down a river?This is the timelapse footage of the Llano River on July 4th at 5: is a naturally occurring flash flood. Mother nature is real. Following this, in another separate Facebook post, Shiflet added, 'In case you missed my Facebook Live, I am overwhelmingly thrilled to report two young girls were just found alive 27 feet off the ground in trees near Comfort, Texas. It gives all of us hope to keep working harder and faster. Keep your thoughts and prayers with everybody down here. It's a very tough day, but good things are also happening.' Fact check: Texas viral flood miracle rescue According to a New York Post report published on Monday, July 7, the harrowing tale of survival of two girls who clung to a tree for over 24 hours and were rescued from the flood was a false report. As per a post shared by Texas Rep. Chip Roy on X (formerly called Twitter), 'The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true.' The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true. Please be careful regarding possible fake news, even if well intended... It's not fair to families and it distracts law enforcement… As per the report, the story was first shared on Facebook by Chord Shiflet, an Austin man helping clear out the debris, but this report has turned out to be false. Texas flood devastation across Central The confirmed death toll from Texas floods has reached at least 70 as of Sunday, and at least 30 people are still officially listed as missing across multiple counties. Kerr County: 59 deaths Travis County: 4 Burnet County: 3 Kendall County: 2 Williamson County: 1 Tom Green County: 1 Donald Trump signs "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County in Texas On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County, Texas. The declaration is to make sure that their Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they require, he wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday. "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,' Trump added. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Hindustan Times
06-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
'27 feet above ground': How 2 girls survived the deadly Texas floods
Two young girls were found alive during flood-related search operations near Comfort, Texas, on Sunday. They were found clinging to the branches of a tree 27 feet above the ground. According to Cord Shiflet, a member of the search and rescue team, the girls had been holding on for over 24 hours before being discovered six miles downstream from where they were last seen. A drone view shows fallen trees, as a result of flash flooding, in Comfort, Texas, U.S., July 5, 2025.(REUTERS) In a Facebook Live video, Shiflet shared the emotional moment, saying, "They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles down river." The identities of the girls have not been released. Later, in a separate Facebook post, Shiflet added, 'In case you missed my Facebook live overwhelmingly thrilled to report two young girls were just found alive 27 feet off the ground in trees near comfort Texas. It gives all of us hope to keep working harder and faster. Keep your thoughts and prayers with everybody down here. It's a very tough day, but good things are also happening.' Comfort is located in Kendall County, one of several regions hit hard by devastating floods that have now claimed at least 70 lives. Shiflet also reported that four bodies had been recovered: a man found in debris, two women discovered in a vehicle, and one unidentified person at the site. Flood Devastation Across Central Texas The confirmed death toll from the Central Texas floods reached at least 70 as of Sunday. At least 30 people are still officially listed as missing across multiple counties. Among the missing are 11 campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a girls' summer camp in Kerr County. The geographic breakdown of confirmed fatalities is as follows: Kerr County: 59 deaths Travis County: 4 Burnet County: 3 Kendall County: 2 Williamson County: 1 Tom Green County: 1 Federal Response President Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he had signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County, Texas. The declaration is "to ensure that our Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they need," he wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday. "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," Trump added.
