Carmela Karcher
Before Sacramento, she spent three years as the weekend anchor and reporter for NBC Palm Springs. There, she covered everything from the once-in-a-lifetime Tropical Storm Hilary that swept through the desert to the environmental impacts of the dwindling, nearby Colorado River. She also spent time as a multi-media journalist at KHSL/KNVN in Chico.
From a young age, Carmela has been captivated by the power of storytelling. Starting in high school and continuing throughout her college career at the University of Oregon, she knows the vital role journalism plays in connecting communities.
In her free time, Carmela loves spending time with friends, family, and her cat. She enjoys hiking and exploring new places and can't wait to discover more in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys.
Carmela is excited to continue working in her home state! If you'd like to connect, reach her on Facebook, Instagram or through email.
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Yahoo
19-07-2025
- Yahoo
After L.A. firestorms and Texas floods, forecasters haunted by warnings not being heard
Meteorologists warned about the chance of flash floods days before Texas' Fourth of July disaster that killed at least 133. Yet, local officials in the hardest-hit areas say they were shocked by the scale of the devastation. "I have cried on multiple occasions," Chris Suchan, chief meteorologist with WOAI-TV Channel 4, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, wrote in a recent Facebook post. "At times, I've been overwhelmed with forecaster regret that I could have done more the night before in my weather report." Forecasters often issue alerts for possible flooding, landslides and "red flag" fire warnings multiple times a year. Sometimes, those warnings are followed by major catastrophes, but other times they are not. And that has led some to become complacent, rather than heeding the alerts. Read more: Warnings ignored: The grim connection between the L.A. wildfires and Texas floods Two massive disasters this year — the Texas floods and Los Angeles firestorms — are leading some to grapple with the question of how to get officials and the public to care and take action. In the case of Texas, Suchan said he is experiencing what he calls "forecaster regret." That's despite having presented viewers a weather forecast showing "a signal of localized flash flooding" on the afternoon of July 3 — hours before the disaster struck. During the 6 p.m. broadcast later that day, Suchan pointed to an area "where we could see storms develop and then train over the same area. ... And that is a classic flash-flooding signal here in 'Flash Flood Alley.'" The disconnect between available warnings and the action officials and the public takes has been seen repeatedly over the years, from inadequate preparations in California ahead of fire weather or flood alerts, to the failure of some communities to evacuate ahead of the catastrophic tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. Of course, there are times when alerts are taken seriously, and forecasters and officials are in the same room. For instance, the publicity around Hurricane Hilary in 2023 reached a fever pitch as it headed toward Southern California. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stood at press briefings along with then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and the National Weather Service. No deaths were reported in California, despite significant flooding and harrowing rescues in the Coachella Valley. There are other instances where preparation has helped Southern California emerge from periods of severe fire weather or landslide danger — such as through public safety power shutoffs, or crews emptying debris basins to catch mud pouring from landslides. Read more: L.A.'s flood-control system survived epic storm. But it's losing battle with climate change The National Weather Service office in Oxnard, which issues forecasts for Los Angeles, has also made attempts to more clearly get its messages across. In 2019, the weather service issued an "extreme red flag" fire weather warning that got plenty of attention. During last fire season, the agency issued an unprecedented five "particularly dangerous situation" warnings ahead of forecast extreme fire weather conditions — including one on Jan. 6, a day before L.A. County's devastating wildfires began. Despite the weather service giving briefings as early as Dec. 30 about forecasted increasing fire weather danger, Bass was overseas in Ghana on Jan. 7, when the fire that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades began spreading rapidly. And the L.A. Fire Department, a Times investigation found, chose not to assign roughly 1,000 available firefighters for emergency deployment in advance of the Palisades fire, which ultimately killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes, businesses and other structures. The Times has previously reported that the day before Bass left for Ghana, her aides received an email, on Jan. 3, from the city's emergency management department warning of "high confidence in damaging winds and elevated fire conditions occurring next week." A spokesperson for the mayor said the email did not suggest imminent catastrophe. Bass later fired Crowley as fire chief, and accused her of failing to provide adequate warning of the potential for a cataclysmic wind event. One simple lesson that could be learned from past disasters is that both officials and the public need to better respond to forecasters' warnings. Read more: Six months after the fire, has Mayor Karen Bass done enough for the Palisades? An after-action report by the weather service from the Joplin, Mo., tornado disaster in 2011 found that most residents didn't immediately head to shelter after hearing the first warning. Among the reasons: apathy, a bias toward optimism and a feeling that sirens were activated too often in Joplin. But the weather service at that time also said it could do a better job at supporting "effective decision-making," which would help empower people to quickly make appropriate decisions. The agency said it should ensure that tools are in place to easily conduct conference calls with key entities, such as sheriff's offices and other emergency officials. Suchan remembers listening to weather service meteorologists recall the Joplin tornado, which resulted in 158 deaths — the first single tornado in the U.S. to cause more than 100 deaths since 1953. "I listened to them describe feeling scarred by the disaster. They asked themselves if their warnings were early enough, strong enough," Suchan wrote in his Facebook post. "The room was very silent through that presentation. It left a mark on me but you can't fully understand that feeling until you experience it for yourself." In Texas, flooding alerts circulated in the hours and days before the Fourth of July disaster. On July 2, Texas state officials, citing the weather service, warned that "heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding" was anticipated over the following days. They said swift-water rescue boat squads would be available to assist with flood rescues. At 1:18 p.m. on July 3, the weather service issued a flood watch for Texas' Kerr County and other areas. On July 4 at 1:14 a.m., a flash-flood warning was issued, sounding the alarm for "life threatening flash flooding." At Camp Mystic, where at least 27 campers and counselors died, leadership was aware of the earlier flood watch, and also got a cellphone alert of the weather service's flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. But they did not begin to evacuate campers in cabins near the Guadalupe River until more than an hour later, the Washington Post reported. The Post reported that waters began rising at the all-girls camp around 2 a.m., and breached at least one cabin around 3 a.m. Parts of Camp Mystic are considered at high risk of flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At a different camp along the same river, Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, a facilities manager saw the river rising around 1 a.m., and told his boss, who had been monitoring reports of the storms approaching, the Associated Press reported. Camp officials there acted quickly to relocate 70 children and adults from a building near the river, and no one died. There was no warning from local authorities, the AP said. Read more: FEMA removed dozens of Camp Mystic buildings from 100-year flood map before expansion, records show In an interview, Suchan said he wonders "are there things that you could have done faster, stronger, or do things differently?" "We're looking at a massive casualty event and it weighs on my heart," he said. His counterpart at a local CBS affiliate offered a similar warning ahead of the flooding. Bill Taylor, weather chief at KENS-TV Channel 5 in San Antonio, showed a forecast weather model showing a severe storm "just sitting still" for hours in the area around Kerr County. "This would be a huge flood problem if this happens," Taylor told his viewers on July 3. In an interview, Taylor said he doesn't feel guilt about how he conveyed his forecast, saying he gave all the information he had about the flood risk. Still, "moving forward, in all honesty, I've even thought to myself recently how much of my verbiage will now change because of this disaster." He and other forecasters say they hope people take things like flood watches more seriously moving forward, especially if they live in or visit low-lying areas prone to flooding. Read more: Unusual summer storms in SoCal bring dry lightning, flooding concerns for weekend "When we say 'flood watch' in this region, I mean, you've really got to be paying attention," Taylor said. One lingering question is how closely officials in Kerr County — like the sheriff's office and emergency managers — were monitoring the storm. "If those emergency managers were sleeping that night, oh my gosh ... they won't have a job anymore," said Alex Tardy, a former weather service meteorologist who owns Weather Echo, a consulting company. Alerts about possible future floods should've triggered some kind of action well ahead of the storm — especially given the campgrounds located in the area, Tardy said. Suchan said a proper alerting system should be installed along the Guadalupe River. He noted that further downstream in neighboring Kendall County, the community of Comfort has sirens that were activated to warn of flooding on July 4, "and there were no casualties." "I don't want to ever see a nightmare like [this]," Suchan said. "It's 2025. We shouldn't be doing this." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Solve the daily Crossword
Los Angeles Times
19-07-2025
- Los Angeles Times
After L.A. firestorms and Texas floods, forecasters haunted by warnings not being heard
Meteorologists warned about the chance of flash floods days before Texas' Fourth of July disaster that killed at least 133. Yet, local officials in the hardest-hit areas say they were shocked by the scale of the devastation. 'I have cried on multiple occasions,' Chris Suchan, chief meteorologist with WOAI-TV Channel 4, the NBC affiliate in San Antonio, wrote in a recent Facebook post. 'At times, I've been overwhelmed with forecaster regret that I could have done more the night before in my weather report.' Forecasters often issue alerts for possible flooding, landslides and 'red flag' fire warnings multiple times a year. Sometimes, those warnings are followed by major catastrophes, but other times they are not. And that has led some to become complacent, rather than heeding the alerts. Two massive disasters this year — the Texas floods and Los Angeles firestorms — are leading some to grapple with the question of how to get officials and the public to care and take action. In the case of Texas, Suchan said he is experiencing what he calls 'forecaster regret.' That's despite having presented viewers a weather forecast showing 'a signal of localized flash flooding' on the afternoon of July 3 — hours before the disaster struck. During the 6 p.m. broadcast later that day, Suchan pointed to an area 'where we could see storms develop and then train over the same area. ... And that is a classic flash-flooding signal here in 'Flash Flood Alley.'' The disconnect between available warnings and the action officials and the public takes has been seen repeatedly over the years, from inadequate preparations in California ahead of fire weather or flood alerts, to the failure of some communities to evacuate ahead of the catastrophic tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. Of course, there are times when alerts are taken seriously, and forecasters and officials are in the same room. For instance, the publicity around Hurricane Hilary in 2023 reached a fever pitch as it headed toward Southern California. L.A. Mayor Karen Bass stood at press briefings along with then-Fire Chief Kristin Crowley and the National Weather Service. No deaths were reported in California, despite significant flooding and harrowing rescues in the Coachella Valley. There are other instances where preparation has helped Southern California emerge from periods of severe fire weather or landslide danger — such as through public safety power shutoffs, or crews emptying debris basins to catch mud pouring from landslides. The National Weather Service office in Oxnard, which issues forecasts for Los Angeles, has also made attempts to more clearly get its messages across. In 2019, the weather service issued an 'extreme red flag' fire weather warning that got plenty of attention. During last fire season, the agency issued an unprecedented five 'particularly dangerous situation' warnings ahead of forecast extreme fire weather conditions — including one on Jan. 6, a day before L.A. County's devastating wildfires began. Despite the weather service giving briefings as early as Dec. 30 about forecasted increasing fire weather danger, Bass was overseas in Ghana on Jan. 7, when the fire that destroyed much of Pacific Palisades began spreading rapidly. And the L.A. Fire Department, a Times investigation found, chose not to assign roughly 1,000 available firefighters for emergency deployment in advance of the Palisades fire, which ultimately killed 12 people and destroyed more than 6,000 homes, businesses and other structures. The Times has previously reported that the day before Bass left for Ghana, her aides received an email, on Jan. 3, from the city's emergency management department warning of 'high confidence in damaging winds and elevated fire conditions occurring next week.' A spokesperson for the mayor said the email did not suggest imminent catastrophe. Bass later fired Crowley as fire chief, and accused her of failing to provide adequate warning of the potential for a cataclysmic wind event. One simple lesson that could be learned from past disasters is that both officials and the public need to better respond to forecasters' warnings. An after-action report by the weather service from the Joplin, Mo., tornado disaster in 2011 found that most residents didn't immediately head to shelter after hearing the first warning. Among the reasons: apathy, a bias toward optimism and a feeling that sirens were activated too often in Joplin. But the weather service at that time also said it could do a better job at supporting 'effective decision-making,' which would help empower people to quickly make appropriate decisions. The agency said it should ensure that tools are in place to easily conduct conference calls with key entities, such as sheriff's offices and other emergency officials. Suchan remembers listening to weather service meteorologists recall the Joplin tornado, which resulted in 158 deaths — the first single tornado in the U.S. to cause more than 100 deaths since 1953. 'I listened to them describe feeling scarred by the disaster. They asked themselves if their warnings were early enough, strong enough,' Suchan wrote in his Facebook post. 'The room was very silent through that presentation. It left a mark on me but you can't fully understand that feeling until you experience it for yourself.' In Texas, flooding alerts circulated in the hours and days before the Fourth of July disaster. On July 2, Texas state officials, citing the weather service, warned that 'heavy rainfall with the potential to cause flash flooding' was anticipated over the following days. They said swift-water rescue boat squads would be available to assist with flood rescues. At 1:18 p.m. on July 3, the weather service issued a flood watch for Texas' Kerr County and other areas. On July 4 at 1:14 a.m., a flash-flood warning was issued, sounding the alarm for 'life threatening flash flooding.' At Camp Mystic, where at least 27 campers and counselors died, leadership was aware of the earlier flood watch, and also got a cellphone alert of the weather service's flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. But they did not begin to evacuate campers in cabins near the Guadalupe River until more than an hour later, the Washington Post reported. The Post reported that waters began rising at the all-girls camp around 2 a.m., and breached at least one cabin around 3 a.m. Parts of Camp Mystic are considered at high risk of flooding, according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency. At a different camp along the same river, Presbyterian Mo-Ranch Assembly, a facilities manager saw the river rising around 1 a.m., and told his boss, who had been monitoring reports of the storms approaching, the Associated Press reported. Camp officials there acted quickly to relocate 70 children and adults from a building near the river, and no one died. There was no warning from local authorities, the AP said. In an interview, Suchan said he wonders 'are there things that you could have done faster, stronger, or do things differently?' 'We're looking at a massive casualty event and it weighs on my heart,' he said. His counterpart at a local CBS affiliate offered a similar warning ahead of the flooding. Bill Taylor, weather chief at KENS-TV Channel 5 in San Antonio, showed a forecast weather model showing a severe storm 'just sitting still' for hours in the area around Kerr County. 'This would be a huge flood problem if this happens,' Taylor told his viewers on July 3. In an interview, Taylor said he doesn't feel guilt about how he conveyed his forecast, saying he gave all the information he had about the flood risk. Still, 'moving forward, in all honesty, I've even thought to myself recently how much of my verbiage will now change because of this disaster.' He and other forecasters say they hope people take things like flood watches more seriously moving forward, especially if they live in or visit low-lying areas prone to flooding. 'When we say 'flood watch' in this region, I mean, you've really got to be paying attention,' Taylor said. One lingering question is how closely officials in Kerr County — like the sheriff's office and emergency managers — were monitoring the storm. 'If those emergency managers were sleeping that night, oh my gosh ... they won't have a job anymore,' said Alex Tardy, a former weather service meteorologist who owns Weather Echo, a consulting company. Alerts about possible future floods should've triggered some kind of action well ahead of the storm — especially given the campgrounds located in the area, Tardy said. Suchan said a proper alerting system should be installed along the Guadalupe River. He noted that further downstream in neighboring Kendall County, the community of Comfort has sirens that were activated to warn of flooding on July 4, 'and there were no casualties.' 'I don't want to ever see a nightmare like [this],' Suchan said. 'It's 2025. We shouldn't be doing this.'
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Newsweek
Texas Floods: Celebrities Speak Out as Death Toll Rises
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Several celebrities have spoken out about the devastating floods in central Texas as the death toll continues to rise. At least 82 people have been confirmed dead at the time of publication—including 28 children, The Associated Press reported. The Context Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp in Kerr County, was hit by devastating flash flooding on Friday. The Guadalupe River, which sits next to the campsite, reached 26 feet in just 45 minutes, per AP, and washed away homes in the area as well. Ten girls and a counselor are still missing. The flooding comes just weeks after torrential rain hit San Antonio. Kerr County is located approximately 65 miles northwest of the city. What To Know Texas actor Matthew McConaugheylamented the "pain" and "chaos" caused by the flooding and called for those who can to "lend a helping hand." Khloé Kardashian said she couldn't "stop thinking about the families in Texas and the overwhelming pain they're going through." The National Weather Service issued warnings on Thursday and Friday ahead of the catastrophic floods. Avery Tomasco, Emmy-winning meteorologist at CBS Austin, posted to X, formerly Twitter, on Friday: "FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY now for western Kerr county 'This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW! Life threatening flash flooding of low water crossings, small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.' #txwx" He added: "The Guadalupe River is rising rapidly west of Kerrville. Major flooding now expected near Hunt, TX. Moderate to major flooding of the Guadalupe likely in Kerrville." That same day, Tomasco said he "reached out to Camp Mystic" but "their phone lines are either down or busy. No word yet on their status." Meteorologist Cary Burgess told Newsweek the Camp Mystic disaster was eerily similar to a 1987 Guadalupe River flood that killed 10 Christian campers. A search and recovery worker shines his flashlight through through waters near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. (L) Matthew McConaughey attends the premiere of "Sing 2" on December 12, 2021 in... A search and recovery worker shines his flashlight through through waters near Camp Mystic on July 6, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. (L) Matthew McConaughey attends the premiere of "Sing 2" on December 12, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. (R) Jennifer Garner attends the premiere of Netflix's "Family Switch" at AMC The Grove 14 on November 29, 2023 in Los Angeles, California. More;;What People Are Saying President Donald Trump spoke out about the flooding, writing via Truth Social 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. 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!" Texas Governor Greg Abbott praised the National Guard on X: "The Texas National Guard has done an amazing job rescuing people in peril. They truly are Texans helping Texans. @TexasGuard" Singer Shakira said on X: "Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted." Dear San Antonio, Our hearts and prayers are with those affected by the flood in Central Texas. We are donating a portion of tonight's show proceeds to Catholic Charities of San Antonio, who are providing disaster relief to the families impacted. If you would like to join me in... — Shakira (@shakira) July 5, 2025 Khloé Kardashian posted via her Instagram Stories: "I can't stop thinking about the families in Texas and the overwhelming pain they're going through right now. As a mother, this kind of tragedy hits in a place words can't reach. The loss of those sweet, innocent children is something I can't fully process, there are just no words for this. My heart is so deeply aching for every parent, every family member, and every community. Please know that so many of us are carrying you in our hearts right now and I'm praying with everything I have in me for those still missing. Texas, we are holding you close." Her mother, Kris Jenner, wrote on her Instagram Stories: "My heart is absolutely shattered by the devastating floods in Texas and the unimaginable loss of those precious children. It's a tragedy that's impossible to comprehend and heartbreaking beyond measure. No family should ever have to experience such sorrow. Life is so fragile, and at times unbearably unfair. To the families living this nightmare, we are holding you in our hearts, praying for strength, and grieving alongside you. I am so deeply sorry for your loss, and praying with all my heart that those still missing are found safe." Matthew McConaughey said on Instagram: "At least 70 lives have been lost, many more unaccounted for, and countless Texans are hurting—inside and out. If you're able, please lend a helping hand where and how you can. It's gonna be a long road ahead, but right now the shock, the pain, and the chaos need the steady hand of a neighbor. Texans are some of the most resilient and generous people on the planet." Singer Maren Morris posted to Instagram: "thinking of my home state right now. the floods are devastating and people are still missing. there are several places to donate but i'll be donating to an incredibly impactful fund called the Texas Hill Country Community Foundation. they've set up a specific fund to support local efforts (nonprofits, local government, first responders and local shelters). link in my stories + bio." Country singer Miranda Lambert shared a video to Instagram and captioned it: "Texas needs our help. As always @muttnation Foundation is jumping in to support, and if you'd like to join us please support our fundraiser." Actress Jamie Lee Curtis reshared a post to her Instagram Stories by radio host Anne Hudson of a group of girls at Camp Mystic: "This entire cabin of sweet girls and their two counselors washed away... Several bodies have been recovered, several are still missing. Praying hard that they find survivors and praying extra hard for the families who are living a parent's worst nightmare." Actress Jennifer Garner wrote on her Instagram Stories: "Texas. God, be near." John Rich, one half of the country music duo Big & Rich, stated on X: "Thinking of our neighbors in Texas. In 1987, this exact same thing happened. What a horrific situation." Former first lady of California Maria Shriver took to her Instagram, writing: "Today my prayers are with the families in Texas impacted by the flooding on the Guadalupe River in Central Texas. Right now they need us all to hold them in a circle of love. Let's unite to hold them, pray for them, and pray for the safe return of the more than 2 dozen girls from Camp Mystic in Kerr County, northeast of San Antonio, who were still unaccounted for by late Saturday morning. As a parent myself, my heart is with absolutely everyone who is feeling this loss. #abovethenoise" What Happens Next Search and rescue operations entered a fourth day on Monday as authorities continue to look for those who are still unaccounted for in the floods.
