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Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
'I needed to get to my boys': Mother recounts Texas camp flood rescue
In one of the deadliest floods in Texas history, a mother's worst fears turned into grateful tears when she reunited with her two sons after they survived a harrowing experience at a camp near the Guadalupe River. The devastating floods that struck central Texas on July 4 have claimed at least 119 lives, with around 170 people still missing. The disaster has been severe in Kerr County, where at least 27 children lost their lives at nearby Camp Mystic. MORE: Texas flooding live updates For Keli Rabon, that morning brought an alarming text message about flooding at Camp La Junta, where her sons Braeden, 9, and his younger brother Brock had arrived just the day before. "There is truly nothing that could prepare you for a moment of uncertainty, which became hours of uncertainty," Rabon said in an interview with ABC News on Wednesday. The situation quickly became dire as the camp lost power and cell service. "Once I saw the information coming in from Camp Mystic that had been posted online, it became clear that this was quite a dire situation," Rabon recalled. "I needed to just get to my boys as fast as I could." During the chaos, Brock and other campers climbed into the cabin rafters to escape rising floodwaters. "Thank goodness the counselors and counselors in training helped all the campers to the rafters," Braeden said. "They're kids, too, but like high school grads. It's just crazy." MORE: Texas father searches for son as Hill Country floods claim over 100 lives The camp's director led efforts to evacuate the children to town. When Rabon finally reached her sons, she was overwhelmed. "It was a rush of all the emotions, from intense gratitude to see them, hold them as tight as I could," she said. "I tried my best to hold it together and not cry because I didn't want to scare them anymore." But amid her relief, Rabon couldn't help thinking of other families. While her boys' experience ended in relief, the flooding claimed lives at other camps in the region. "There was this immense sense of guilt and fright for the parents who wouldn't be able to hold their children that night and maybe ever again," Rabon said. "Words are not enough to express our gratitude for saving our sons' lives." She said she hopes to thank the camp staff in person in the future.
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Mom Shares Chilling Details of How Her 2 Sons Survived Flooding at Texas Camp
It began with a text message from Camp La Junta, alerting parents to flooding in the area and warning that the 200-acre property in Hunt, Texas, was losing power and cell service. At first, Keli Rabon wasn't alarmed. She had dropped off her sons, Braeden, 9, and Brock, 8, just a day earlier at the all-boys program along the Guadalupe River and knew that power outages weren't unusual in remote stretches of the Hill Country, especially during summer storms. 'We didn't think a whole lot of it,' Rabon told TODAY's Savannah Guthrie on July 7 during a joint interview with Braeden and Brock. But as the text messages continued — and the magnitude of the flooding became clearer — Rabon began to feel uneasy. What made it more frightening, Rabon said, was that that she had no way to contact her children. Electronics aren't allowed, and by that point, the camp was relying on minimal communication. 'It became clear that this was a serious situation,' she said. 'So I just had to hop in the car, and my mama instincts kicked in. And you know, I've got to do what I can to get to my babies.' Camp La Junta sits downriver from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls, where, in the early hours of July 4, a sudden flash flood swept through the grounds, killing more than two dozen campers and staff. Rabon posted on Instagram, pleading for updates on the conditions at Camp La Junta. 'PLEASE SHARE. My sons are there and we know there is deadly flooding in the area, including devastation at Camp Mystic, the all girls camp 5 minutes away. Phones, power, WiFi are totally down,' she wrote. 'Prayers and information please! On TODAY, Braeden recalled waking around 4 a.m. to the sound of 'kids screaming.' Disoriented, he wondered, "What the heck is going on?" Then he saw a line of '50 to 75' campers walking behind his cabin, followed by a rush of children whose own bunks were filling with water. Shortly afterward, everyone was evacuated. 'That's about all I remember,' Braeden said. Meanwhile, Braeden's younger brother, Brock, was in a bunk that was taking on water. With the help of counselors, Rabon shared how Brock climbed from the bottom bunk to the top, then into the rafters of the cabin, where he waited as the water rose. 'Three cabins were washed out,' Rabon said. 'Brock's being one of them.' Savannah, reporting from Texas, reflected on the heartbreak so many families are experiencing. As of July 7, at least 10 children remain missing from Camp Mystic, and the flooding has left at least 81 people dead across multiple counties in Texas. 'I mean, we kiss our kids goodbye and we hope they have the summer of their lives,' she said. 'And it's just so scary to think about those moments. I'm so happy, Keli, for you, that you've got your darling boys with you.' This article was originally published on
New York Post
06-07-2025
- Climate
- New York Post
Boys describe horror of climbing on top bunks to escape Texas floods — as mom praises hero counselors
Two brothers caught up in the terrifying flash flooding that devastated Texas in recent days have described how their beds started 'tipping over' as the waters forced them to flee for their lives. Brock and Braeden Davis had only just arrived at Camp La Junta in Hunt, Texas earlier this week when it was hit by torrential rain and rising floodwaters on Thursday night. Braeden was woken sharply to the sound of screaming outside at around 4 a.m. Friday. Advertisement 'I hear screaming from outside. Later on, I find out someone's cabin flooded and they were outside in the middle of the rain,' Braeden told KHOU. 4 Brock (L) and Braeden Davis survived the Texas flooding. KHOU The water flooded their cabin, forcing the two boys to scramble to higher ground. Advertisement 'We jumped up to another bed, a top bunk and like our beds started tipping over, and we got to the top really quick and then, one of the walls fell down,' Brock said. Without their phones or any access to the outside world, the two boys couldn't contact their families. 4 So far, more than 70 people are confirmed to have died in flash flooding in the Lone Star State. AP As camp counselors rushed between the cabins, they moved children into safer areas as the water levels continued to rise. Advertisement 'They lost Crocs and shoes and everything, trunks were floating everywhere, so they came into our cabin and someone told me that when they were walking around campgrounds, they saw Cabin 5 the cabin right next to Brock's the wall had fallen over, and my door like flooded away,' Braeden said. The two boys spent 13 hours waiting for help before they were eventually relocated to a safe shelter on the property by camp leaders. 4 The two brothers woke up to find their cabin flooded. KHOU There, they were given snacks until rescue crews including the Coast Guard arrived. Advertisement The pair have now been reunited with their family in Houston, where their parents praised the hero counselors who saved their lives. Once their got home, their parents revealed how lucky they had been to survive the flooding, which so far is confirmed to have killed more than 70 people. Two other brothers also had a miraculous escape from the flooding at Camp La Junta, just off State Highway 39. Piers and Ruffin Boyett had to swim to safety after floodwaters swept through the camp, they described in an interview with KSAT. 4 Emergency crews are still urgently hunting for missing people. AP Ruffin was the first to wake up, before another camper woke up their counselor. 'Oh my God, we're floating,' Ruffin recalls saying, before the children made a snap decision that saved their lives. 'The flood started getting bigger. We have bunk beds in our cabin, and it was going to the top bunk. We had one choice, and we had to swim out of our cabins,' Piers said. Advertisement All of the campers swam to safety and reached a cabin on higher ground where they were put on a bus and driven away from the Guadalupe River. 'No one died. We are thankful for that,' Ruffin said.
Associated Press
07-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Flying for a Cause: High School Student's Drone Project Supports Nonprofits
High school student provides nonprofits with professional drone photography and videography, making aerial media accessible for organizations doing good. 'I've always loved photography, but it often captures familiar views. Drones show the world from new angles. After years of flying, I wanted to use my skills to help organizations in need.' — Braeden Macchia LONGMONT, CO, UNITED STATES, April 7, 2025 / / -- In a blend of youth innovation and community service, high school student and Part 107 licensed drone pilot Braeden Macchia has launched Drones for Dreams, a project dedicated to providing free drone photography and videography services to nonprofits or other organizations doing good. This initiative aims to elevate the storytelling capabilities of charitable organizations, offering them unique aerial perspectives to enhance their outreach and share their cause. The organization's services include drone videography, photography, and professional video editing, all tailored to showcase the unique narratives of each nonprofit partner. Since its inception, Drones for Dreams has collaborated with several notable organizations, including the Veterans Community Project, Zionsville Farmers Market, Sea Inspiration, and Niwot Youth Sports. These partnerships have resulted in compelling visual content that highlights the missions of these nonprofits and fosters greater community engagement. Braeden's dedication to his craft and community has not gone unnoticed. As a licensed drone pilot, his work is praised for its professionalism, creativity, and the unique perspectives it brings to nonprofit storytelling. He has presented his work before both the Colorado State Board of Education and the St. Vrain Valley School Board, where he shared the vision and impact of Drones for Dreams. In recognition of his efforts, Braeden received the Superintendent's Excellence in Education Award, celebrating his innovation, leadership, and commitment to service. As Drones for Dreams continues to grow, Braeden remains committed to empowering change and is 'Flying High for Nonprofits – No Strings Attached.' Melissa Gruber, Director of Development for the Veterans Community Project, shared her experience: 'I am so grateful for Braeden's passion and investment in Veterans Community Project of Longmont's mission! We've been so lucky to have Braeden capture different stages of our Tiny Home Village. We highly recommend him for your photography needs! His dedication to showcasing our initiatives has truly made a difference.' About Drones for Dreams Drones for Dreams is a project founded by high school student and licensed drone pilot Braeden Macchia, offering nonprofits free drone photography and videography services. By capturing stunning aerial footage, the organization aims to elevate the storytelling capabilities of charitable organizations, helping them reach wider audiences and achieve their missions. +1 720-713-9333 Legal Disclaimer:
