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Time of India
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Fact check: Report claims Texas flood miracle rescue of two girls clinging to a tree for over 24 hours is false; check details
An unprecedented flash flood has hit Central Texas since Friday. Heavy rains sent the Guadalupe River rushing through Kerr County and the neighbouring areas, claiming 70 lives, including 21 children. Amid the devastating flash floods in Texas, a story has been circulating on social media since July 6 about the miraculous rescue of two young girls who were found clinging to a tree in Comfort, Texas, for over 24 hours. But how accurate is this news? Let's find out. According to the current condition, the flash floods soared 26 feet in under an hour and have tragically claimed 70 lives, including 21 children, with over 800 people rescued from the deluge, according to the Associated Press. Report claims two girls found alive, clinging to a 27-foot lone tree According to the Daily Times, during the grim search-and-rescue operations, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered a shocking update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were found alive, clinging 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Centre Point. While recounting the incident, Shiflet said, 'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver.' After the discovery, both the young girls were airlifted safely; however, their miraculous survival offers a rare beacon of hope among people. According to Chord Shiflet, a member of the rescue team, during their search operation, the girls had been holding on to the tree for over 24 hours before being discovered six miles downstream from where they were last spotted. Ever seen a wall of water come crashing down a river?This is the timelapse footage of the Llano River on July 4th at 5: is a naturally occurring flash flood. Mother nature is real. Following this, in another separate Facebook post, Shiflet added, 'In case you missed my Facebook Live, I am overwhelmingly thrilled to report two young girls were just found alive 27 feet off the ground in trees near Comfort, Texas. It gives all of us hope to keep working harder and faster. Keep your thoughts and prayers with everybody down here. It's a very tough day, but good things are also happening.' Fact check: Texas viral flood miracle rescue According to a New York Post report published on Monday, July 7, the harrowing tale of survival of two girls who clung to a tree for over 24 hours and were rescued from the flood was a false report. As per a post shared by Texas Rep. Chip Roy on X (formerly called Twitter), 'The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true.' The story of rescues in Kendall County was NOT true. Please be careful regarding possible fake news, even if well intended... It's not fair to families and it distracts law enforcement… As per the report, the story was first shared on Facebook by Chord Shiflet, an Austin man helping clear out the debris, but this report has turned out to be false. Texas flood devastation across Central The confirmed death toll from Texas floods has reached at least 70 as of Sunday, and at least 30 people are still officially listed as missing across multiple counties. Kerr County: 59 deaths Travis County: 4 Burnet County: 3 Kendall County: 2 Williamson County: 1 Tom Green County: 1 Donald Trump signs "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County in Texas On Sunday, President Donald Trump signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for Kerr County, Texas. The declaration is to make sure that their Brave First Responders immediately have the resources they require, he wrote in a Truth Social post on Sunday. "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,' Trump added. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- General
- Time of India
Texas Floods Miracle: Two girls found alive, clinging to a tree for over a day — ‘Six miles downriver and 27 feet in the air'
Central Texas reeled under unprecedented flash floods on Friday as heavy rains sent the Guadalupe River rushing through Kerr County and surrounding areas. The violent surge, soaring 26 feet in under an hour, demolished cabins, carried away vehicles, and tragically claimed at least 70 lives, including 21 children, with more than 800 people rescued from the deluge, as per a report by the Associated Press. Miraculous discovery: 2 girls found alive Amid grim search-and-rescue efforts, a Facebook Live broadcast by volunteer rescuer Cord Shiflet delivered an astonishing update. Two young girls, whose identities remain concealed, were discovered alive, perched 27 feet high in a lone tree between Comfort and Homillus Road, near Center Point, as per a report by the Daily Times. Having clung on for more than a day, they were found six miles downstream from their likely point of origin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy the Dip: Top 5 Dividend Stocks with Growth Potential Seeking Alpha Read More Undo 'They had been holding on for over a day, and they found them six miles downriver,' Shiflet recounted. The girls were promptly airlifted to safety, their miraculous survival offering a rare beacon of hope amid despair. Also Read | Texas flood death toll rises to 70 — What went wrong and why the Guadalupe River overflowed Live Events Camp Mystic tragedy The flood's human toll was especially severe at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls' camp dating back to 1974. The camp's director and co-owner, Dick Eastland, perished in what many are calling an act of heroism, attempting to shield young campers from the rising waters. Eastland's nephew posted a tribute on social media: 'Camp Mystic's Dick Eastland no doubt gave his life attempting to save his campers.' U.S. Congressman August Pfluger echoed the sentiment, praising Eastland's selflessness. At least four campers and one counselor from Camp Mystic remain missing. The camp's cabins and grounds, now dotted with flooded debris and belongings, were opened to families on Sunday, with the riverbanks and structures being painstakingly combed for clues and survivors. Grim toll and ongoing search Kerr County, where Camp Mystic is located, reported 59 fatalities as of Sunday afternoon. Body recoveries continued across affected counties—four in Travis, three in Burnet, two in Kendall, and one each in Tom Green and Williamson, as authorities pledged to leave no stone unturned until every victim is accounted for. Families panned through river debris, searched among toppled trees and scattered personal effects, and mourned lives lost. Extreme weather warning systems under scrutiny Meteorological experts and local officials noted the flood's rapid onset: four months' worth of rainfall in mere hours. The National Weather Service had issued flash flood alerts beginning Thursday afternoon, and 'life-threatening' warnings followed shortly after midnight Friday. Still, questions loom about whether warnings were sufficiently relayed or heeded, especially in remote camp areas. Compounding the issue, understaffed regional forecast centres, affected by personnel reductions, may have impaired warning coordination. As intense rainfall fell after midnight, often the most dangerous time for flash floods, many residents, campers, and authorities were caught unawares. While searchlights, drones, boats, and Coast Guard helicopters scoured the waters, flash flood watches remained in effect, and more storms were forecast into Sunday. 800 rescued till now In the first 36 hours, rescuers brought over 800 individuals to safety. Helicopters leapfrogged flooded zones, drones canvassed unreachable areas, and ground teams navigated treacherous debris and mud-choked roads. Gov. Greg Abbott ordered round-the-clock efforts and declared Sunday a 'state day of prayer' for victims, survivors, and relief workers. Even Pope Francis, addressing crowds at the Vatican, prayed in English for the bereaved families, especially noting the young campers who were missing. Community support through Mercy Chefs and volunteers Amid rescue operations, community groups and nonprofit networks have mobilised to support first responders and displaced families. Organisations known as 'mercy chefs'—teams of volunteer cooks—have been serving hot meals to stranded residents, search crews, and shelter occupants. Their efforts have been hailed as vital in maintaining morale and sustenance amid chaos. Failure in warning? Texans are now asking why the warnings fell short. Was the overnight timing of the floods to blame, or could understaffed forecast offices have delayed alerts? National Weather Service personnel assert that alert bulletins, including an Emergency Alert System notification at 1:14 a.m., were issued in a timely manner. However, officials admit signal gaps may have left some cabins and camps vulnerable. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said, 'We had no reason to believe this was going to be anything like what's happened here.' Meanwhile, Congressman Chip Roy described the flood as a 'once-in-a-century' event, acknowledging that unanswered questions and public scrutiny are inevitable as families seek accountability. US President takes action With FEMA activated by President Trump's disaster declaration on Sunday, federal resources are being marshaled for long-term recovery. As water levels fall and access routes are restored, family reunifications, infrastructure repair, and sanitation improvements will move to the forefront. FAQs What triggered the Texas flash floods in July 2025? A sudden deluge dumped four months' worth of rainfall within a few hours, causing the Guadalupe River in Kerr County to rise 26 feet in under 60 minutes. This unprecedented flash flooding overwhelmed camps, cabins, and communities overnight. How many people have died as a result of the flooding? As of the latest reports, at least 70 people have died across Central Texas, including 21 children. Kerr County alone reported 59 fatalities, making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in Texas history.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
New liner visits port
The New Zealand Shipping Co's new steamer Tongariro, which berthed at Port Chalmers yesterday afternoon to discharge 1300 tons of general cargo and to load 600 bales of wool, is a powerful carrier of the flush steel-deck trip from London, via Panama and Auckland, was marked by everything running smoothly, which is not always the case on a maiden voyage. The vessel's oil fuel machinery produced on average speed of 13.8 knots to Auckland, and her officers are satisfied that but for the heavy head swell encountered since leaving Auckland she would have averaged over 14 knots down the coast. Captain White-Parsons has been entrusted with the command of the new liner, and as he is a resourceful New Zealander, and started his seafaring life in this company's sailing ships, the new Tongariro is starting her cargo-carrying career under conditions which command success. She arrived here on a draught of 25 feet, and cargo was quickly pouring from her holds into the railway trucks. To Wānaka and back A Dunedin resident, in conversation with a Daily Times reporter yesterday, stated somewhat reluctantly that until quite recently he had never been through the Central Otago district. However, he decided to view the country with his own eyes, and he returned greatly impressed with its future possibilities. The trip he undertook was to Middlemarch, via Outram, thence to Naseby, Wedderburn, Oturehua, Blackstone Hill, St Bathans, Becks, Lauder, Omakau, Ophir, Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Pembroke, back to Cromwell, thence to Roxburgh, Miller's Flat, Beaumont, Lawrence, Waitahuna and Milton. Every minute of the trip was a real pleasure, as all the time he saw before him the great possibilities of this wonderful country — a country rich in almost everything. An octagon in the Octagon The Information Kiosk, where visitors to Dunedin may find out all they want to know about the Exhibition, and where they may also ascertain what accommodation is available, has now been erected in the Octagon. The building is a neat little structure, made in the shape of an octagon, and was brought up bodily from Logan Park and placed into position yesterday. Please give . . . The Superintendent of the Dunedin Hospital (Dr Falconer) is making an appeal for blood for transfusion purposes. The list of voluntary donors, on which the Hospital has been working, is now exhausted, but there are still many patients requiring this treatment. It has been the custom for the relatives of patients to offer their blood, but there are those in the Hospital who have neither friends nor relatives to be called upon. It is for these unfortunate sufferers that this appeal is being made, and, as a healthy person can spare the blood for which many patients are in such need, it is hoped that all who are able will come forward and help their less fortunate brethren. . . . generously The head teacher of the Paparoa Native School, which is a gum-field school in the far north, informs us that owing to the slump in gum prices the children have not sufficient clothes to cover them this winter, and he would be very grateful to receive oddments of flannel and clothing of any description. Thanks a million The amount to credit of depositors in the Dunedin Savings Bank has now reached for the first time over £1,000,000. That fact was reported at the meeting of trustees this week. The exact total was shown as £1,007,468 5s 9d. — ODT, 23.5.1925 Compiled by Peter Dowden
