From Tampa to Texas: Local organizations mobilize to help flood victims after tragic loss
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Forbes
25 minutes ago
- Forbes
Texas Officials Avoid Questions On Flood Response
Kerr County officials Tuesday appeared to dodge questions about how soon they were notified about deadly flash floods in central Texas and who was responsible for immediate response efforts, as law enforcement warned the death toll from the flooding will likely rise. The Kerr County judge said a warning system was not in place before flash floods killed more than ... More 100 people. Getty Images Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha, responding to a question about how county residents were alerted about the flash floods, said a timeline about the alerts is 'not my priority at this time,' adding, 'There are three priorities. That's locating the people out there, identifying, notifying the next of kin—that is what I'm taking as my job as sheriff.' Lt. Col. Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens, the state's parks and wildlife department, deflected other questions about how quickly Kerr County officials responded to the flash flooding, saying officials were 'focused on bringing people home.' Leitha said he was not notified about flash floods until sometime between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. CDT on July 4, about three hours after the National Weather Service's first public warning alert. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is holding a press conference this afternoon covering the flash floods, while Kerr County officials are scheduled to host a briefing at 6 p.m. EDT. How Soon Was Texas Alerted About Flash Floods? The National Weather Service said in a statement that flash flood warnings were issued that gave 'preliminary lead times of more than three hours.' Later alerts reportedly warned of a 'life-threatening situation' in central Texas. On July 4, the agency said flash flooding was 'likely' in the region, with 'significant impacts possible' as up to six inches of rain was forecast in some areas. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said Friday 'no one knew this kind of flood was coming' and the county 'had no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here.' Despite suggesting officials were caught off guard, Kelly said Kerr County does not have a warning system and he 'can't answer' why evacuations weren't carried out. Key Background At least 108 people have died after flash flooding in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, according to Kerr County officials. Of those, Leitha said 87 were recovered in Kerr County, including 30 children. Some campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp by the Guadalupe River, are still missing, Leitha said. Debate over the region's response to the flooding, described by the White House as a 'once-in-a-generation natural disaster,' has ensued in recent days. Texas Division of Emergency Management chief W. Nim Kidd said Friday early National Weather Service forecasts 'did not predict the amount of rain that we saw.' Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem applauded the agency, though she noted President Donald Trump wanted to improve its 'ancient' warning system. Forbes Was Texas Warned Of Flooding Properly? Here's What We Know By Zachary Folk Forbes Texas Flood Live Updates: White House Says Blaming Trump For Flooding A 'Depraved Lie' As Death Toll Reaches 104 By Antonio Pequeño IV
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Brother of former MLB pitcher Tyler Walker missing along with other family members following Texas floods
Several family members of former MLB relief pitcher Tyler Walker remain missing on Tuesday as the death toll surpassed 100 following the devastating flooding that took place in central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend. Mark Walker, 51, his wife Sara, 50, and their 14-year-old son, Johnny, have been reported missing after vacationing at a river house in Hunt, Texas, along the Guadalupe River, which was devastated by the Kerr County flood on Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported, citing family. Mark is the older brother of former San Francisco Giants reliever Tyler Walker. "I'm sick to my stomach," Kathy Walker, the mother of Mark and Tyler, told the outlet. "It's a terrible feeling, because you're helpless here." Kathy told the San Francisco Chronicle that she last spoke to Mark on Thursday. The couple's 16-year-old daughter, Ellie, was attending camp at Camp Waldemar and has since been found safe. According to the report, Tyler and his wife traveled to Texas to be with their niece. Tyler Walker played eight seasons in the major leagues, spending the majority of that time with the Giants. He compiled a 23-18 record, 4.23 ERA, 34 saves and 243 strikeouts. As the search for the Walker family continues, officials in Texas confirmed on Monday that the death toll reached 109. Deaths have been reported in six Texas counties — Kerr, Burnet, Travis, Kendall, Williamson and Tom Green — FOX Weather reported. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said Tuesday, "As of 8 a.m. central time, 87 deceased have been recovered in Kerr County, including 56 adults and 30 children." He added that identification is still pending for 19 adults and seven children. Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Washington Post
an hour ago
- Washington Post
FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas
As authorities search for victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users are spreading false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy.
