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Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Rangers, Astros join teams in pledging relief efforts after deadly central Texas floods
Texas' two Major League Baseball teams are joining in to help recovery efforts after devastating flooding in the central part of the state. The Texas Rangers and Houston Astros each pledged $1 million toward relief efforts on Monday. They are just the latest professional teams to make a donation. The Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and the NFL Foundation combined to donate $1.5 million, and the state's three NBA teams, along with the NBA Players Association, combined to donate more than $2 million. A massive storm swept through Kerr County, which sits northwest of San Antonio, and the surrounding areas on Friday. As of Tuesday afternoon, according to The New York Times , the death toll had risen to at least 111 people. At least 161 people remained missing in the county, too, and officials said that nobody had been found alive since Friday even after the search widened. Advertisement Fast-moving waters rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours along the Guadalupe River on Friday morning, which led to millions of people being placed under flood watches over the weekend. A Christian summer camp for girls was especially impacted, too. At least 27 campers and staff members were killed in the flooding, and several are still missing.
Washington Post
36 minutes ago
- Washington Post
161 people known to be missing in Texas floods as death toll rises to 109
More than 160 people are known to be missing after devastating flash flooding in Central Texas. 'Just in the Kerr County area alone, there are 161 people who are known to be missing," Gov. Greg Abbott (R) said at a news conference Tuesday. 'We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for."
Yahoo
38 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Texas flooding live updates: Death toll surpasses 100 as search for the missing continues
The death toll from the catastrophic floods in Texas continued to rise on Tuesday as the desperate search for survivors entered its fifth day. Officials say at least 109 people have died across six counties, including at least 87 in Kerr County. More than a dozen people remain missing, including five campers and one counselor at Camp Mystic, an all-girls camp located in Kerr County along the Guadalupe River, which rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours on July 4. Hundreds of first responders and volunteers have been scouring the river and layers of debris along its banks. Rescue crews from neighboring states and Mexico have joined the massive search effort. More isolated rain is in the forecast today for the flood-ravaged region, but nearly all of the flood watches that were in effect for more than 5 million people on Monday have been lifted. Meanwhile, there are mounting questions about the local flood alert system and whether staffing cuts at the National Weather Service contributed to the tragedy. While addressing the press, Abbott discussed a phone call he had earlier on Tuesday with President Trump as well as a text message he said he'd just received from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services. Abbott described Trump as distraught over the many young campers who were killed in the flood. "He could not stop talking about how sad he was for all the little girls who've lost their life," Abbott said. "He cares a lot about those young ladies, and he wants to step up and make sure that any need we have here in Texas is going to be met quickly." Abbott said Kennedy let him know via text that he was set to declare a public health emergency for the Texas Hill Country floods, in an effort to make it easier for medical and mental health professionals from out of state to provide services. Kennedy reiterated this message in a post on X. During a press conference on Tuesday afternoon, Greg Abbott, the governor of Texas, provided updated numbers on fatalities and those still missing following the recent floods. 109 fatalities (94 fatalities in Kerr County, 15 fatalities in other parts of the state) Five campers and one counselor still missing from Camp Mystic, plus an additional child not associated with the camp 12 people missing in other parts of Texas 161 people "known to be missing" in Kerr County, Texas Abbott urged Texans to call 830-258-1111 or email kerrvillemissing@ to report any additional missing people. "We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for," he said during the press conference. dWe are continuing to learn about the lives of those who died in the Texas floods. Here is what we know about a few more of them. Sisters Blair, 13, and Brooke, 11, were staying with their grandparents in a cabin near the Guadalupe River in Hunt, Texas, when the flooding began, according to the St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas. Their bodies were found together 15 miles away in Kerrville. Their grandparents remain missing. According to a statement from the school, Blair "had the kindest heart and loved to serve others." "Brooke loved speech and drama and had a particular gift for improv that brought smiles and laughter to those around her," the statement said. "Brooke never met a stranger and loved everyone she met." The 8-year-old was among the campers who died in the flooding at Camp Mystic, according to her grandfather, Douglas McLeod. McLeod told ABC News that Blakely's dad died of a sudden heart attack just two months ago. "This is a double tragedy for my daughter," he said. "She's a very strong woman. But I know how much we're grieving. We're just devastated. But she's showing strength on the outside." Mary Grace, another 8-year-old camper at Camp Mystic, was a "bright light" who was "known for her kindness and friendship to all, her joyful spirit and her love for her faith and family," according to a statement from her school. "She was a girls' girl who loved pink, sparkles and bows in her signature angelic ringlet curls," the school said. "Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit." Read more from ABC News: Texas flooding: Portraits of the victims Police in Odessa, Texas, announced Tuesday that the body of Bailey Martin, an officer who went missing in the floods, has been found. Martin was on a family trip to Kerrville, Texas, for the Fourth of July holiday weekend when he was swept away by floodwaters. The police department said it is working to bring Martin's body back to Odessa and is encouraging citizens to "replace their porch lights with blue bulbs for the rest of the week in remembrance of Bailey." The death toll from this weekend's floods has risen to seven in Kendall County, Texas, the emergency management office said in an update on its Facebook page: Good morning. Today, search, rescue, and recovery operations will continue across Kendall County following the Guadalupe from county line to county line. You will see an increased presence of emergency response crews and certified search and rescue teams. Please use caution, avoid active areas, and allow them the space to work safely and operations may involve drones, K9 units, boats, and ground teams, working through wooded areas, riverbanks, and low-water crossings. These are still primary search efforts, and operations may continue for days or weeks as is with heavy hearts that we report Kendall County's recovery toll has risen to 7. Our thoughts remain with the families and all those affected. That brings the total number of fatalities to at least 109 across six counties in central Texas, including at least 87 in hard-hit Kerr County. During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, President Trump said he will be visiting flood-ravaged Texas on Friday with first lady Melania Trump. "We don't want to get in anyone's way," Trump said. "I don't want anyone to focus on us." The president said his personal relationship with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott "has obviously been very good for years," which he believes may have helped in the ongoing federal relief efforts, which are being led by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Trump added that it's "unlikely" any more survivors will be found but "they're thinking there could be the possibility." At the press conference Tuesday morning, Kerr County officials struggled when pressed to provide a timeline of their immediate response to the rising floodwaters. The National Weather Service issued its first emergency alert at 1:14 a.m. local time on July 4. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters he was not made aware of the flash floods until several hours later. "I can tell you when I was first notified, it was around 4 to 5 [a.m.] area," Leitha said, adding that his department was "in the process" of putting together a timeline. "That is not my priority at this time," the sheriff continued. "Locating the people out there, identifying and notifying the next of kin, that is what I'm taking as my job as sheriff here to do." Leitha then declined to answer when asked who was in charge of issuing an emergency alert and whether they were asleep. "Was the emergency manager awake at the time, did they push the button to issue an emergency alert?" a reporter asked. "Sir, it's not that easy, [and] you just push a button, OK, there's a lot more to that," Leitha said. "Did it happen?" the reporter pressed. "I can't tell you at this time," Leitha replied, before turning the questions over to Lt. Col. Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens. 'We understand you have many questions," Baker said. "We understand that. But right now, this team up here is focused on bringing people home. That's our focus.' News of three additional deaths in Kerr County has increased the overall number of fatalities from the Texas floods to at least 108. Here is the county-by-county death toll (from CNN): Kerr County: 87 Travis County: 7 Kendall County: 6 Burnet County: 5 Williamson County: 2 Tom Green County: 1 As the search for the missing continues along the Guadalupe River in central Texas, photos show debris swept away by the deadly floodwaters, including cars, trucks, SUVs, RVs and mobile homes. Some were flattened, others torn apart. At a press conference Tuesday morning, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 87 people have now been confirmed dead, including 30 children, and that five campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain unaccounted for. "This is a tragic time for us," Leitha said. He urged private boats to stay off the Guadalupe River to allow official search and rescue efforts to continue until all of those missing are found. "I can assure you we will not stop until this mission is complete," the sheriff said, The death toll from the flash floods in Texas continues to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. At least 108 people — including 30 children — have been killed in the floods that struck early on July 4. Dozens remain missing, including 10 campers and a counselor from Camp Mystic. Crews from neighboring states, as well as Mexico, have joined in the massive search operation. President Trump says he will visit the flood-ravaged state on Friday. Questions are mounting over whether staffing cuts at the National Weather Service contributed to the disaster. The weather service said it had extra personnel on duty and that "all forecasts and warnings were issued in a timely manner." As search efforts continue, officials in central Texas are pleading with people to stop flying drones over the flood-ravaged region. In Kerr County on Monday, a helicopter involved in search and rescue operations was forced to make an emergency landing after it collided with a drone operating in restricted airspace. "PLEASE GROUND YOUR DRONES," county officials wrote in a message posted to Facebook. "The helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing, and a critical piece of response equipment is now out of service until further notice. This was entirely preventable." In the wake of the floods, the FAA issued a temporary flight restriction for the search area along the Guadalupe River through July 13, prohibiting all pilots from operating an aircraft lower than 2,500 feet unless they are part of the official relief effort. "Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are not suggestions," the county said in its Facebook post. "They are federal airspace rules designed to protect lives during emergency situations. When you fly a drone in restricted areas, you're not just breaking the law — you're putting first responders, emergency crews, and the public at serious risk." The death toll from the Texas floods has risen to at least 105, with the latest fatalities reported in Burnet County on Tuesday. According to CNN, authorities there recovered two bodies, including a 17-year-old girl who was found in neighboring Travis County. In Travis County, there were seven fatalities, the second-highest total behind hard-hit Kerr County, where 84 have been reported dead. After days of rain, the forecast for flood-ravaged central Texas is providing search and rescue crews with some relief. According to the National Weather Service, the region could see a few isolated showers and thunderstorms, but nearly all of the flood watches that were in effect yesterday have been lifted, and drier conditions are expected for the rest of the week. The number of lives lost in the Texas flooding reportedly climbed to 104 as of Monday evening. The majority of the deaths occurred in Kerr County, where officials reported at least 84 dead, including 28 children, the New York Times reported. Other counties that saw fatalities include Travis, Williamson, Burnet, Tom Green and Kendall, according to ABC News. Kerr County officials reported that they have not yet identified the bodies of 22 adults and 10 children. According to the New York Times, Brady Constantine, the emergency management coordinator for Kendall County, Texas, stated during a brief press conference that six bodies have been found in the area, but none have yet been identified. Officials are unaware of anyone missing from the county. In a statement, Houston Astros owner Jim Crane and his wife, Whitney Crane, promised that the Astros organization will donate $1 million toward relief efforts. 'It's important to the entire Astros organization, to send immediate support to our fellow Texans throughout the Hill Country during this devastating time,' Crane said, according to the MLB. 'There is a lot still unknown as recovery efforts are ongoing, but the Astros are committed to supporting Central Texas communities in the long term through the coming days, months and years to help rebuild and heal.' In addition, the Astros Foundation will launch a fan-based initiative to "provide resources to ensure our Central Texas neighbors have the sustained support they need to rebuild and recover," the MLB website stated. AccuWeather reported that the zone in which these deadly floods occurred is called "Flash Flood Alley" and is one of the most dangerous places in the U.S. for this type of activity. Development and climate change may further increase the frequency and severity of floods in the region, experts say, due to more impermeable surfaces and bigger storms. Pete Rose, a meteorologist with the Lower Colorado River Authority, told AccuWeather, "You have a lot of your hills and valleys that go along with that type of topography, and these hills don't contain a lot of soil; they have very thin soil. So when rain does hit them, not much of it gets absorbed." The death toll has risen to 95, according to Tthe New York Times. This includes 27 from Camp Mystic, where 10 girls and a counselor remain missing. "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly," the camp said in a statement, per CBS News. "We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from community, first responders, and officials at every level." Xavier Ramirez, 23, is awaiting word of the whereabouts of five missing family members who were swept into the floodwaters, per NBC News: his aunt, Tasha Ramos; his cousin Kendall Ramos; his stepfather, Cody Crossland; his mother, Michelle Crossland; and his uncle Joel Ramos. The family was camping when the floodwaters rose. Ramirez's cousin Devyn Smith was rescued and is now recovering at Peterson Regional Medical Center. "I'm the only boy, so I'm trying to hold it together for the rest of the family," Ramirez said.
