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USA Today
07-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Clinging to trees, escaping on rooftops: These survivors were swept into Texas floods
Before help could arrive, Texans in hard-hit areas like Hunt said they tried to save themselves from the deadly floodwaters. Some clung to trees. Others floated on mattresses. Many clamored onto rooftops. Survivors of the flooding in central Texas are beginning to share their harrowing experiences of escaping the deadly waters. With little warning from forecasters, some residents said they were alerted to the danger by panicked screaming and the sounds of the storm in the early morning hours of the holiday weekend. Rescue teams have scoured the area for signs of life and saved hundreds of people, pulling them into boats and helicopters. But many in hard-hit areas like Hunt, Texas, said they tried to save themselves. The survivors told their stories to USA TODAY. Mother and son cling to tree to survive Texas flood Before the sun rose on July 4, Taylor Bergmann awoke of the sound of his mother, Erin Burgess, screaming "We're flooding. We're flooding!" Water was coming in through the front door of their home in Hunt, located about 80 miles northwest of San Antonio. Bergmann, 19, could hear the glass back doors starting to crack under pressure. "After they broke, I mean, it was a matter of seconds, and there was five and a half feet of water in our house," said Bergmann, who works at a water park. They swam into the backyard where the fast-moving current swept away Burgess' boyfriend, Matt, and their dog Stella, Bergmann said. The mother and son tried to climb to their roof, but Burgess, who is recovering from facial surgery, couldn't make it. The pair wrapped themselves around a tree, with Burgess, a nurse, standing on her tip toes to keep her chin above water and Bergmann's six-foot frame shielding her from vehicles floating by. Bergmann said they stayed there for more than a hour until the water receded and they were able to take refuge at a neighbor's house. Eventually, they reunited with Burgess' boyfriend, Stella and another lucky survivor: their cat, Kiki, who rode out the flood on top of a mattress. Though they were able to save some of their belongings, the flood left their home a wreck, Bergmann said. "We're never living here again," he told USA TODAY. "We're selling the property, and we're moving very far away from running water." Couple escapes 'nightmare' after cabin floods Maria Tapia, 64, awoke in the early morning of July 4 to the sharp cracking of thunder and what sounded like little rocks hitting her bedroom window. Then, she heard sounds of water from the nearby Guadalupe River rushing past. As Tapia, who manages the property, got up to inspect the noise, her ankle submerged into half a foot of water. The cabin they have called home in Hunt, Texas, was built about 300 feet from the riverbed. Now, it was engulfed by the river itself. Tapia quickly jostled her husband, Felipe Tapia, 63, awake from a dead sleep and told him they needed to evacuate immediately. By the time the couple trudged to the living room, less than 10 minutes later, the water had risen to their knees. For minutes, they pushed against the front door, but it wouldn't open because of the pressure from the water. Finally, it budged. The couple furiously kicked through the screen door and plunged into the water outside, hoping to swim to their neighbor's house on higher ground. As she navigated the waters in the pitch black, Tapia said she heard the house's glass windows 'popping' and shattering. 'It was the worst night of my life,' Tapia said. 'It was a nightmare.' Before the flood, she said life in Hunt was 'paradise.' She and her husband planted flowers and grass outside by the river and found a community of friends who also managed properties in the area. Now, she says, the town is 'no more.' 'It is − how do you say − a ghost town,' Tapia said. The house they fled is still mostly standing, but it's badly damaged from the storm. The truck the couple recently purchased as a "splurge" washed up down the hill and filled with debris. Others in the area fared worse – several of Tapia's friends are still missing, and some loved ones were found dead, she said. Texas man saved by a meter box Christian Fell was planning to spend his July 4 eating catfish and shooting off fireworks at his grandparents' home in Hunt. Instead, he fought for his life. Fell, 25, was awoken by a crack of thunder around 3 a.m. He could hear noise inside the house, too. He got up, thinking there might be an intruder. "When I swung my feet over the side of the bed and I stood up, I realized I was standing in water up to my ankle," said Fell, who was alone in the house. He headed for the kitchen door. But when he opened it, more water poured into the home. He said he made frantic phone calls to his family and 911, but he kept getting disconnected. As the water rose to his waist, he went back to the bedroom and desperately tried to climb onto the floating furniture. "I was pretty, pretty scared," he said. "That's kinda when I realized they can't do anything to get me out, and I had to do something to keep myself alive," he recalled. The bedroom door wouldn't budge, so Fell swam through a broken window. Once outside, he clamored onto a meter box, where he stood on the balls of his feet for the next three hours. From his perch, Fell said he could hear the sound of roaring water and houses being ripped off their foundations. It was pitch black outside, but occasionally a flash of lightning or a car floating by with its hazard lights on would illuminate the darkness. "The transformers blew up at one point, and it was like the sun came out and I could see clear as day," he said of the electrical equipment around him. "I just saw like all this debris and stuff getting carried away." Eventually, Fell spotted police walking through the street with a flashlight and decided it was safe to climb down. Though Fell was spared, the house was "destroyed," especially the wooden deck where his family used to gather to eat their Thanksgiving meal. "The whole house pretty much acted like a dam for me and blocked all the debris," he said. "It was pretty, pretty lucky that it did that because all that would have come crashing down on me." 'I don't want to die' Addison Martin, 17, never prayed harder in her life. The high schooler was tumbling helplessly down the Guadalupe River, which had turned into a raging avalanche of water. She struggled to stay afloat, pummeled by debris and tree limbs. Cars and trailers floated nearby. But she had lost sight of her family. It had only been hours since their RV pulled into the riverside campground in Ingram, Texas, on July 3 after a nearly four-hour drive from Odessa, where she recently finished her junior year of high school. She joined her father and stepmother, Bobby and Amanda Martin, two brothers including Bailey Martin, a young Odessa police officer who had brought his girlfriend. They had planned a relaxing holiday weekend on the river. That night, she had trouble falling to sleep amid booming thunder and rain. Around 4 a.m., her brother woke the family up. Flooding that started slow was quickly accelerating. 'I was just grabbing everything I could. I put on my shoes, I got my bag, my phone. And then my dad opened the camper door,' she recalled, seeing the rising water. 'We need to get into the car,' she recalled her stepmother saying. 'The car is gone,' her father replied. Calls to 911 told them help was on the way, but first responders were swamped. As the water rose, they decided to climb a tree that sat between a camping spot that hung over an adjacent trailer. Addison and several family members stood on top. Then it started to shift. She saw her stepmother fall off and tried to pull her back up. She heard someone yelling for air. Soon she was in the water, fighting currents and limbs that briefly held her under. Her family members drifted out of sight. 'I remember just thinking, I don't want to die,' she said. She finally grabbed onto a branch of a tree and 'held on for my life' for hours. Trees were falling into the water. She asked God to keep her tree up: 'I've never prayed so much in my life.' Daylight finally broke, the tree still standing. By roughly 8 a.m., she yelled to first responders who came with a boat. She and her brother were reunited at a rescue center. But later came the devastating news. Her father and stepmother had not survived. 'They sat us down, me and my brother, to tell us that they were gone,' she said. She learned that another brother, Bailey Martin, and his girlfriend were still missing. John Keith Martin, Bobby Martin's father, confirmed to USA TODAY that authorities had identified the bodies of the Odessa couple. Addison, speaking from her biological mother's home in Lubbock, Texas, said she's not sure what's next. She is awaiting word on those still missing. Funerals will be coming. Friends and family have started a GoFundMe to help with those expenses. Family of 33 rides out the flood on rooftop The sun was shining when Riata Schoepf, 19, arrived at the River Inn Resort & Conference Center for an annual trip with the family of her boyfriend, Ephraim Fry, on July 3. But by the next morning, one of the 33 people in their group was banging on the door telling them a flood was coming. Schoepf, a student, got in the car, but quickly learned the only ways out of Hunt, Texas, were closed. With traffic at a standstill and debris crashing into them, they decided to ditch the car and wade through the knee-deep water. "I lose my shoes, lose everything," she said. "Like we're just walking barefoot in this really, really disgusting water." By the time they made it back to the inn, the water was up to Schoepf's chest. The only way out was up, so the owner of the inn used bedsheets to pull them onto the roof. Schoepf estimated they managed to pull about 50 people to safety, including the entire group on Fry's family trip. "As we're pulling all these people up, you just see, like, cars flying, you see dumpsters flying down the road, trees like just slamming into everything," she said. Schoepf watched the flood rage and helicopters pluck people from the water until the flooding subsided a few hours later. Once the bridges were cleared, rescue workers loaded Schoepf and her loved ones into charter buses headed for a shelter. As she saw the decimated homes and people's belongings strewn about, the gravity of her near-death experience hit her. "It felt like literally the longest and quietest drive I've ever been on because everybody's just looking at the damage that it's done," she said. "And it's not even like it was a flood. It was like something out of this world." By 3 a.m. on July 5, Schoepf finally made it back home to Austin. She said she still hasn't fully processed the terrifying experience. "More of me feels guilty knowing that so many other people are in a worse situation," she said.
Scottish Sun
01-07-2025
- Scottish Sun
‘Hero' Brit drone fighter, 33, killed defending Ukraine as grieving comrades hug flag-draped coffin in emotional funeral
A "HERO" Brit drone fighter was killed defending Ukraine against the Russian occupation. Tributes are pouring in for Benjamin Leo Burgess, 33, who served on the frontline for three years and was 'killed in combat'. Advertisement 7 Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth was killed in the war where he had fought for three years as a volunteer Credit: East2West 7 Ukraine has paid an emotional tribute to the hero fighter Credit: East2West 7 Burgess' coffin draped with the British and Ukrainian flags Credit: East2West 7 Ukraine has paid an emotional tribute to hero British drone pilot Ben Budgie Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth, who was killed in the war where he had fought for three years as a volunteer. Credit: East2West Burgess, from Portsmouth, first served in Zaporizhzhia with Ukraine's artillery regiment before becoming an FPV drone pilot. He had formerly served in the British army. A funeral attended by 40 people, including family and friends, was held at Kyiv's main crematorium for the Brit volunteer fighter. Russian sources had earlier claimed the Burgess, whose call sign was Budgie, had been 'eliminated'. Advertisement He is understood to have been killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine's Sumy region. Fellow soldiers said Burgess was a hero and was among the "best pilots we had." Another Brit soldier - identified only by his call sign Azrael - said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. Advertisement 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess' death was his biggest loss. He added: "We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' Advertisement The "hero" fighter was given a funeral at the heart of Kyiv city. Emotional pictures show Burgess' coffin draped with the British and Ukrainian flags. Family and friends, as well as fellow soldiers, were seen standing together as flowers and roses were laid gently on top of his casket. Local Ukrainians left emotional messages for Burgess at Kyiv's Maidan Square. Advertisement One of the messages read: "Thank you for protecting." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun. Advertisement 7 Flowers and roses were laid gently on top of his casket Credit: East2West 7 Local Ukrainians left emotional messages for Burgess at Kyiv's Maidan Square Credit: East2West
The Irish Sun
01-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
‘Hero' Brit drone fighter, 33, killed defending Ukraine as grieving comrades hug flag-draped coffin in emotional funeral
A "HERO" Brit drone fighter was killed defending Ukraine against the Russian occupation. Tributes are pouring in for Benjamin Leo Burgess, 33, who served on the frontline for three years and was 'killed in combat'. 3 Burgess, 33, from Portsmouth was killed in the war where he had fought for three years as a volunteer Credit: East2West 3 Ukraine has paid an emotional tribute to the hero fighter Credit: East2West 3 Burgess' coffin draped with the British and Ukrainian flags Credit: East2West Burgess, from Portsmouth, first served in Zaporizhzhia with Ukraine's artillery regiment before becoming an FPV drone pilot. He had formerly served in the British army. A funeral attended by 40 people, including family and friends, was held at Kyiv's main crematorium for the Brit volunteer fighter. Russian sources had earlier claimed the Burgess, whose call sign was Budgie, had been 'eliminated'. He is understood to have been killed in Andreevka, in Ukraine's Sumy region. Fellow soldiers said Burgess was a hero and was among the "best pilots we had." Another Brit soldier - identified only by his call sign Azrael - said: 'A lot of people come to Ukraine for different reasons, but Budgie definitely came for the belief that Ukraine deserves to be free. 'And he was willing to fight for that. And he did. Most read in The Sun 'He fought well, fought bravely, and ultimately was killed doing that.' Azrael, from Ukraine's 78th airborne assault regiment, said Burgess' death was his biggest loss. He added: "We were the last two foreign fighters in our regiment. 'He was my family here. I've lost many friends in this war – he's my biggest loss.' The "hero" fighter was given a funeral at the heart of Kyiv city. Emotional pictures show Burgess' coffin draped with the British and Ukrainian flags. Family and friends, as well as fellow soldiers, were seen standing together as flowers and roses were laid gently on top of his casket. Ukrainian locals left emotional messages for Burgess at Kyiv's Maidan Square. One of the messages read: "Thank you for protecting." More to follow... For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online Read more on the Irish Sun is your go-to destination for the best celebrity news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video. Like us on Facebook at
Business Insider
09-05-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
A 24-year-old learned about real estate investing on TikTok. Now he plans to convert a $2 million motel into apartments.
In 2023, he came across videos about wholesaling, a real-estate investing strategy in which people act as scouts for other investors. They search out under-the-radar properties, secure a contract with the seller, and then resell that contract to another buyer for a profit. Burgess started out finding a home listed for auction on Zillow in Clinton, South Carolina, a small town of 7,700 an hour north of Columbia. He sold the contract to the home to another buyer through Facebook Marketplace, making a $5,000 profit. That first deal opened Burgess' eyes to the potential of a career in real estate. At the time, he wasenrolled at Francis Marion University and working at Waffle House. "You can truly learn about building wealth and how opportunities can open up to you," Burgess, now 24, told Business Insider. So far, Burgess has sold 10 contracts. His investment firm, Burgess Legacy Investments, also runs short-term rentals and invests in local businesses, including restaurants. Now, he's gearing up for his biggest project yet: buying a rundown motel and turning the rooms into affordably priced studio apartments. The hotel conversion plan includes keeping rents low Burgess launched what he's calling the Affordable Housing Project Initiative this year with the intention of buying an 80-room motel in his hometown of Manning, South Carolina, about an hour and a half south of Columbia. He plans to turn it into 40 studios with rents under $950 a month, utilities included. Zillow only shows one home currently for rent in Manning, a four-bedroom house asking $1,700 a month. "If we're seeing this need within the place that we grew up in, we've got to do something," Burgess said. Burgess specifically searched for motels that appeared to be neglected by their owners, looking for outdated, spam -filled websites and non-working telephone numbers. He found a 1980s-built hotel that was originally a Howard Johnson's before its previous owners took it independent. Burgess said that the building is showing signs of distress; photos from online hotel reviews show a rusty fence and dirty pool. Currently, he's under contract for the property at $2.45 million, with a down payment of $300,000 set aside from his other investing streams, according to a November 2024 contract Burgess shared with Business Insider. He told BI that he has since negotiated the terms down to a $2.3 million purchase price and a $150,000 down payment, and that his expected monthly payment on the debt is $18,500. Burgess is seeking additional funds for the hotel conversion First, Burgess is asking local religious groups that have set aside money to support affordable housing to help fund the motel renovation. Burgess also reached out to Peyton Vanest, a 26-year-old content creator based in Pittsburgh who has over 700,000 followers on TikTok. Vanest, whose content mostly centers on progressive politics, has urged his followers to donate as little as 50 cents or $1 to GoFundMe he set up if they support Burgess' vision. thank you for watching until the end. lets crush this original sound - Peyton
The Herald Scotland
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
New proposal could see tenants allowed to withhold rent
Ms Burgess' said her proposal would ensure major issues such as damp, mould, broken floorings and problems relating to heating and hot water systems are repaired promptly, so that private housing stock is maintained to a safe standard. She said the amendment, backed by housing rights campaigners Living Rent, would also make the tribunal process, which deals with complaints, easier for tenants as landlords who act in bad faith would have to prove they have done enough to resolve the issue to unlock the withheld rent. READ MORE: Second homes tax could double in Scotland's tourist hot spots Second home owners 'should not be blamed' for housing shortages Christina McKelvie death triggered Jamie Greene defection from Tories to Lib Dems 'My proposals will make it easier for renters to stand up to rogue landlords and to get vital repairs done quickly," she said. 'At the moment, renters can do little except threaten to take their landlords to tribunals, which can be time consuming and stressful, and the burden of the tribunal falls on the renter. 'My amendment, which is backed by Living Rent, would allow tenants to withhold rent if their landlord hasn't fixed serious issues within a timeframe of 30 days of being notified about them." She added: 'Renters should expect their homes to be maintained to the same standard as any other. But in some cases, there are landlords who simply feel it is okay to take rent and let their properties fester with damp, mould and serious problems that significantly impact health and wellbeing. READ MORE: Call to cut the number of Scottish health boards from 14 to three Here's one good reason I'm glad I moved to Scotland Alba not to stand a candidate in by-election 'out of respect' to late MSP 'While not all landlords let this happen, and many will be encouraged to keep up the good work, there are some bad faith actors who fail to maintain their properties. For those who rent these properties, it can be a miserable experience. People in this situation need more support and the power to make sure major repairs happen.' Scottish Association of Landlords chief executive John Blackwood called for "robust enforcement" of existing laws to tackle rogue landlords. He said: 'What we need is robust enforcement of current legislation through landlord registration, to remove rogue and criminal landlords from the sector who give law-abiding landlords a bad name.' Ms Burgess's amendment to the Housing Bill is one of a series made by the Scottish Greens. Others tabled by the party include proposals to allow ministers to increase the tax paid on purchases of holiday homes should they be located in new rent control areas which may be introduced north of the Border. The Greens want ministers to raise the levy, known as the additional dwelling supplement, to 16% of the purchase price from the current level of 8%. More than 400 amendments to the Housing Bill have been tabled. The proposals will begin to be debated today by MSPs on Holyrood's local government, housing and planning committee. The legislation will be voted on later at its final parliamentary stage - stage three - in the Holyrood chamber and if passed would allow councils to create rent control areas where rent is capped to certain levels. Ministers have tabled an amendment proposing that rent rises are capped to the rate of inflation plus 1% to a maximum of 6%. The Scottish Government has also set a target date for local authorities to make market assessments and recommendations on whether or not to introduce rent control areas. The new date is May 31 2027. Responding to the Greens's amendments, a Scottish Government spokesman said: 'A number of amendments have been lodged by opposition MSPs at stage 2 of the Housing (Scotland) Bill and will be considered by the Local Government, Housing and Planning Committee.'
