Texas flood victim clinging to tree is airlifted out of danger in dramatic rescue
Emergency services have been conducting multiple search and rescue operations after storms caused severe flooding along the Guadalupe River starting on Friday, July 4th, 2025, and continuing into the weekend.
In a video tweeted by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a woman is seen desperately clinging to a tree to avoid falling into the rising water of the river below her. The victim is eventually winched free by an air rescue helicopter and successfully carried to safety.
In a caption accompanying the video, Governor Abbott said: "Air rescue missions like this are being done around the clock", reassuring the public with a promise that all missing victims will be "accounted for".
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Forbes
25 minutes ago
- Forbes
Musk's AI Tool Implicates DOGE Data Cuts In Texas Flood Deaths
KERRVILLE, TEXAS - JULY 04: Kerrville resident Leighton Sterling watches flood waters along the ... More Guadalupe River on July 4, 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. Heavy rainfall caused flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas with multiple fatalities reported. (Photo by) Getty Images Earlier last year I published a warning about Trump administration data-related deletions that would restrict access to or manipulate publicly available information critical to citizen health and safety. While certain historical government data has been preserved by various organizations, some important real-time information is now in short supply. And in a tragically ironic twist, Elon Musk's own generative AI tool, Grok 3, implicates the Trump/DOGE cuts to the US National Weather Service and NOAA in contributing to the dozens of Texas flood deaths on July 4: "The cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under the Trump administration significantly impaired the agency's ability to provide accurate and timely forecasts, which likely contributed to the severity of the Texas flood disaster on July 4, 2025. Here's how these cuts played a role: Staffing Reductions: The NWS lost approximately 560–600 employees in early 2025 due to DOGE-initiated cuts, reducing its workforce by nearly 20%. Key positions, such as the warning coordination meteorologist at the Austin/San Antonio office and the meteorologist-in-charge at the San Angelo office, were vacant due to early retirement incentives. These roles are critical for coordinating with local emergency managers to ensure effective warning dissemination and response planning. The absence of these personnel likely hindered communication and coordination with local officials and camps like Camp Mystic, delaying critical evacuation efforts. Degraded Forecasting Capabilities: The cuts led to "degraded" forecasting services, as noted in an internal NWS document from April 2025. The NWS forecast for the Texas Hill Country predicted 3–6 inches of rain in the Concho Valley and 4–8 inches in the Hill Country, significantly underestimating the actual 10–15 inches that fell. Experts warned that staff shortages and reduced resources, including the cessation of some weather balloon launches critical for collecting atmospheric data, compromised forecast accuracy. This underestimation meant that local officials and camp organizers did not anticipate the catastrophic scale of the flooding, which saw the Guadalupe River rise over 20 feet in less than two hours. Warning Dissemination Issues: Although the NWS issued timely flood watches and warnings, including a flash flood emergency at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, the lack of key staff and a robust local warning system in Kerr County delayed public notifications. For example, the Kerrville Police Department's first public warning on Facebook came at 6:16 a.m., hours after the NWS alert and when the river was already rising rapidly. The absence of a warning coordination meteorologist likely exacerbated this gap, as this role facilitates direct communication with local emergency services. Systemic Vulnerabilities: The cuts were part of a broader reduction in NOAA's budget and operations, including the elimination of weather research labs and climate research programs, which further weakened the NWS's ability to predict extreme weather events. Posts on X and expert analyses highlighted concerns that these cuts, driven by DOGE's cost-saving measures, prioritized budget reductions over public safety, with warnings as early as February 2025 that such actions could lead to deadly consequences. Conclusion: The consensus among critics, including Texas officials and experts, is that the understaffing and reduced resources likely contributed to the forecast's underestimation of rainfall and the delayed local response. This was particularly critical in a region known for flash flooding, where timely and accurate warnings could have prompted earlier evacuations at Camp Mystic and other vulnerable areas, potentially reducing the death toll of at least 43, including 15 children. The staffing shortages and reduced forecasting capabilities likely amplified the challenges of preparing for and responding to the disaster, contributing to the tragic outcome." Data Is Everybody's Business This is a cautionary tale for business leaders as well, not just individuals. Executives should be keenly aware of how the disappearance of public or other data sources could affect their organization's own health and survival. For many types of valuable information, alternative sources exist among the dozens of social media platforms, hundreds of private organizations, and thousands of syndicated data providers. Unfortunately, most organizations have entire departments dedicated to procuring office supplies, sourcing raw materials, and hiring individuals—but not a single person dedicated to identifying and curating external data sources.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tropical Storm Chantal makes landfall in SC as heavy rains continue across the Wilmington area
(This story was updated to add new information.) Tropical Storm Chantal made landfall near Litchfield Beach, South Carolina, around 4 a.m. Sunday, July 6, according to the National Hurricane Center. With heavy rains and winds up to 50 mph, a tropical storm warning remains in effect for New Hanover, Brunswick and Pender counties. A flash flood watch is also in effect until 8 p.m. Sunday for Brunswick, Columbus and Horry counties. As of 5 a.m. Sunday, the center of the storm was located 70 miles northeast of Charleston, South Carolina, and 85 miles south-southwest of Wilmington. The maximum sustained winds were 50 mph. A turn northward and then northeastward is anticipated over the next 24 hours. The center of Chantal is expected to move farther inland into South Carolina and then North Carolina through the day Sunday, the hurricane center said. Heavy rainfall, some flooding, isolated tornadoes, gusty winds, and hazardous surf and maritime conditions are still possible across the Cape Fear region. Here's the latest forecast for the Wilmington area: More: These seven major storms left a lasting impact on Wilmington over the past six years Parts of the Wilmington area have already seen 2 to 3 inches of rain. An additional 2 to 3 inches are expected across the region on Sunday. Isolated areas could see up to 6 additional inches. There is the potential for flooding rainfall through Sunday evening, most likely in flood-prone and low-lying areas. Some road flooding and washouts are also possible, according to the National Weather Service in Wilmington. Winds ranging from 39 mph to 57 mph are possible across the Wilmington area on Sunday. That could result in downed trees and some power outages. As of 6 a.m. Sunday, the highest recorded wind gust so far in Brunswick County was 48 mph in Southport. In New Hanover County, the highest gust was 37 mph at Masonboro Island. In Pender County, Surf City had the highest gust at 27 mph. POWER OUTAGE TRACKER: See the latest on power outages. Life-threatening rip currents and dangerous surf are expected for all Wilmington-area beaches on Sunday, the National Weather Service said. An elevated rip current threat will likely linger through early next week. HURRICANE PREDICTIONS: Can NC residents expect a busy or quiet season? The first two named systems of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, Andrea and Barry, quickly dissipated without strengthening into much or having any impacts on the U.S. mainland, although Barry did bring heavy rains to central Mexico. Forecasters are expecting an above-average hurricane season, largely driven by the continuing warming of the world's oceans thanks to climate change. Colorado State University is predicting a an estimated 17 named storms and nine hurricanes in 2025. Of those hurricanes, four are predicted to reach major hurricane strength, Category 3 or stronger with sustained winds of at least 111 mph. AccuWeather is forecasting between 13 and 18 named storms, including seven to 10 hurricanes. Three to five of those could reach major hurricane status. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, or NOAA, which includes the National Hurricane Center, also is expecting an above-average hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through the end of November. This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Tropical Storm Chantal landfall in SC impacts Wilmington, NC, Brunswick County
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Tropical Storm Chantal makes landfall in eastern South Carolina
Tropical Storm Chantal rolled ashore early Sunday, July 6, along the eastern South Carolina coast with pounding rain that could trigger flash flooding. Chantal, the third tropical storm of the 2025 Atlantic season, was likely "to produce heavy rainfall across portions of northeastern South Carolina today and across portions of North Carolina through Monday," the National Hurricane Center said in a 5 a.m. update. Total rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, and local amounts up to 6 inches, were expected. "The combination of storm surge and tide will cause normally dry areas near the coast to be flooded by rising waters moving inland from the shoreline," the center warned. Chantal, which was expected to weaken, was about 70 miles northeast of Charleston and was moving inland at 8 mph. A northward turn was expected in the next 24 hours, the center said. Maximum sustained winds had decreased to 50 mph with higher gusts. But isolated tornadoes were also possible along the coast of eastern South Carolina and much of North Carolina, forecasters said. A tropical storm warning was in effect for South Santee River, South Carolina, to Surf City, North Carolina, the hurricane center said. The circulation of Chantal could lead to dangers far from the storm's track in areas from Savannah, Georgia, to Jacksonville, Florida, such as rough surf and treacherous rip currents, according to Accuweather. The storm's most intense winds should remain offshore, but risks remain, forecasters said. "The strongest winds are expected near and to the east of where the storm makes landfall and can produce tree damage, localized power outages and some structural damage," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Tyler Roy said. The Atlantic hurricane season officially began on June 1 and will last through the end of November. Active hurricane weather typically peaks between mid-August and mid-October. Chantal, which intensified into a tropical storm Saturday, followed two earlier tropicals storms in June: Andrea, which was the first named storm of the 2025 season, and the short-lived Barry. Hurricanes are born in the tropics, above warm water. Clusters of thunderstorms can develop over the ocean when water temperatures exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If conditions are right, the clusters swirl into a storm known as a tropical wave or tropical depression. A tropical depression becomes a named tropical storm once its sustained wind speeds reaches 39 mph. When its winds reach 74 mph, the storm officially becomes a hurricane. Prepare now for hurricanes: Here's what you should do to stay safe before a storm arrives Delaying potentially life-saving preparations could mean waiting until it's too late. "Get your disaster supplies while the shelves are still stocked, and get that insurance checkup early, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period," NOAA recommends. Develop an evacuation plan: If you are at risk from hurricanes, you need an evacuation plan. Now is the time to begin planning where you would go and how you would get there. Assemble disaster supplies: Whether you're evacuating or sheltering-in-place, you're going to need supplies not just to get through the storm but for the potentially lengthy aftermath, NOAA said. Get an insurance checkup and document your possessions: Contact your insurance company or agent now and ask for an insurance check-up to make sure you have enough insurance to repair or even replace your home and/or belongings. Remember, home and renters insurance doesn't cover flooding, so you'll need a separate policy for it. Flood insurance is available through your company, agent, or the National Flood Insurance Program. Act now, as flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period. Create a family communication plan: NOAA said to take the time now to write down your hurricane plan, and share it with your family. Determine family meeting places, and make sure to include an out-of-town location in case of evacuation. Strengthen your home: Now is the time to improve your home's ability to withstand hurricane impacts. Trim trees; install storm shutters, accordion shutters, and/or impact glass; seal outside wall openings. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tropical Storm Chantal makes landfall in South Carolina; updates
