Latest news with #DerekMarchio
The Mainichi
06-07-2025
- Climate
- The Mainichi
15 children are among the dead from Texas flash floods as rescuers search for the missing
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) -- Rescuers scoured a devastated central Texas landscape of mangled trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris Saturday in an increasingly bleak mission to locate survivors, including 27 girls who have not been seen since their camp was slammed with a wall of water in a historic flash flood. The flooding in Kerr County killed at least 43 people, including 15 children, and six more people died in nearby counties. Authorities still have not said how many people were missing beyond 27 children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along a river in Kerr County where most of the dead were recovered. The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as torrential rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect. Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed that authorities will be relentless and work around the clock to rescue and recover victims, adding that new areas were being searched as the water recedes. "We will find every one of them," he said. More rain fell around Austin, and a massive search continued in the nearby Hill Country. At least three people died and 10 others were missing in Travis County, home to the state capital. Another fatality was confirmed in Kendall County, and two people died in Burnet County, where a firefighter was among the missing after he was swept away by floodwaters while responding to a rescue, county Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio said. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice said 43 bodies had been recovered so far in the devastated Hill Country: 28 adults and 15 children. Authorities were coming under scrutiny over whether the camps and residents in places long vulnerable to flooding received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made. The hills along the Guadalupe River in central Texas are dotted with century-old youth camps and campgrounds where generations of families have come to swim and enjoy the outdoors. The area is especially popular around the July Fourth holiday, making it more difficult to know how many are missing. "We don't even want to begin to estimate at this time," Rice said earlier Saturday. Raging storm hit camp in middle of the night "The camp was completely destroyed," said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers. "A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary." The raging storm, fueled by incredible amounts of moisture, woke up her cabin just after midnight Friday, and when rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as they walked across a bridge with water whipping around their legs, she said. Frantic parents and families posted photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information. On Saturday the camp was mostly deserted. Helicopters roared above as a few people surveyed the damage, including a pickup tossed onto its side and a building missing its entire front wall. Among those confirmed dead were an 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was at Camp Mystic, and the director of another camp just up the road. The flooding in the middle of the night caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise. AccuWeather said the private forecasting company and the National Weather Service sent warnings about potential flash flooding hours beforehand. "These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety," AccuWeather said in a statement. It called the Hill Country one of the most flash-flood-prone areas of the U.S. because of its terrain and many water crossings. Officials defended their actions while saying they had not expected such an intense downpour, the equivalent of months' worth of rain for the area. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district includes the ravaged area, called it a once-in-a-century flood and acknowledged that there would be second-guessing and finger-pointing as people look for someone to blame. "There's a lot of people saying why and how, and I understand that," Roy said. Helicopters and drones used in frantic search Search crews were facing harsh conditions while "looking in every possible location," Rice said. Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued in the last 36 hours and there were heroic efforts at the camps to save children. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived and pledged that the Trump administration would use all available resources. Coast Guard helicopters and planes were assisting to ensure operations can continue even in darkness. One reunification center at an elementary school was mostly quiet after taking in hundreds of evacuees the day before. "We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much," said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School District. People clung to trees and fled to attics In Ingram, Erin Burgess woke to thunder and rain in the middle of the night. Just 20 minutes later, water was pouring into her home, she said. She described an agonizing hour clinging to a tree with her teen son. "My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them," she said. Barry Adelman said water pushed everyone in his three-story house into the attic, including his 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson. "I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death," he said. Locals know the place as " flash flood alley." "When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil," said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which was collecting donations. "It rushes down the hill." 'Nobody saw this coming' The weekend forecast had called for rain, with a flood watch upgraded to a warning overnight Friday for at least 30,000 people. "We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming," said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the county's chief elected official. The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue. Kelly said he was heartbroken seeing body bags at the funeral home and the devastation on the ground during a helicopter tour. "The rescue has gone as well as can be expected. It's getting time now for the recovery," he said. "And that's going to be a long, toilsome task for us."
Sky News
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Sky News
Texas flash flooding: At least 49 people killed; girl, eight, 'living her best life' named among victims
Unknown number of people missing Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice said there could be more people missing in the region than the 27 girls unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. "We are kind of looking at this in two ways called the known missing, which is the 27... We will not put a number on the other side because we just don't know," he said at a news conference. He said "hundreds" have been rescued from campsites around the Guadalupe River so far and searches are ongoing. Authorities in Travis County said at least 10 people are missing. In Burnet County, a firefighter was among the missing after he was swept away by floodwaters while responding to a rescue, county Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio said. Some of the deadliest floods to hit the US in the last 25 years Flooding causes an average of more than 125 deaths a year, according to the National Weather Service. Here's some of the most deadly flooding to have occurred in the last 25 years... Hurricane Helene, 2024 Helene struck Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia in September 2024. The storm caused about 250 deaths, according to the National Weather Service. Kentucky, 2022 Raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky led to 45 deaths in late July. The floods destroyed homes and businesses and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. Tennessee, 2021 Twenty people were killed when creeks near the small Middle Tennessee town of Waverly overflowed, following 43cm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Hurricane Harvey, 2017 Harvey killed at least 68 people when it swept into Texas in August 2017. All but three of the Harvey deaths were directly attributed to freshwater flooding, which damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage. West Virginia, 2016 It began as a rainstorm that seemed minor, but turned into a catastrophe that trapped dozens of people, ultimately killing 23 in the state. Superstorm Sandy, 2012 Sandy was a freak combination of a hurricane and other storms that struck New York and the surrounding areas in October 2012. It killed 147 people. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 This was the deadliest flood event in the past 25 years. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damages, with people having to be rescued by boat and helicopter from rooftops. Death toll rises to 49 At least 43 people have been killed in the flash flooding in Kerr County, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a news conference. This includes at least 15 children and 28 adults, with five children and 12 adults pending identification. More than two dozen girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, but authorities have not said how many people were missing beyond the 27 children. In nearby Kendall County, one person has died. At least three people were killed in Travis County, while at least two people died in Burnet County. Congressman 'reunited' with daughters evacuated from Camp Mystic Rep. August Pfluger said his daughters Caroline and Juliana were evacuated from Camp Mystic and "reunited" with his family. In pictures: It is now 12 hours since flash floods swept across Kerr County This is what it looks like on the ground. What we learned from the latest news conference There wasn't a huge amount of news to come out of this evening's press conference, apart from an update on the number of people who have died. Gov. Greg Abbott was accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as a number of Texas officials. The group spent most of the news conference praising the response of the local community, as well as reiterating promises to continue searching for victims. There was clear frustration from viewers watching the live link at the lack of information coming through. It was only confirmed at the end, in response to a reporter's question, that 32 people have died, with eight of the recovered bodies currently unidentified. Some 850 people have been rescued. But officials warned these numbers will continue to change. More than 1,300 people have been brought in to help deal with the emergency disaster response. Secretary Noem also answered questions about whether the flash flood warnings came through promptly: "We know that everyone wants more warning time and that is why we are working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected for far too long." Gov. Abbott also talked about the importance of prayer. "Prayer does work," he said, adding that they "could have been the reason why water stopped rising into a home or a cabin, or something that would have caused an entire building to float away." 32 dead in Texas flooding More bodies have been recovered from the flash flooding. Thirty-two bodies have been recovered, 14 of which are children. Of those, five adults and three children remain unidentified. "The numbers are going to continue to change until we are done," says Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Chief Nim Kidd says there is still an active search for live victims. "That will turn into recovery at some point, and none of us wants to put a timeframe on that," he adds. It is still not known exactly how many people are currently missing. More than 850 people saved so far, 'some clinging to trees' Rescuers have saved more than 850 people, Gov. Abbott says. "Some clinging to trees to save their lives," he adds. Senator John Cornyn is speaking next. He also praises the first responders. Watch Gov. Abbott sign the disaster declaration below... President Trump 'absolutely heartbroken' by flash flooding "President Trump loves Texas," Gov. Abbott says, adding that the president is "deeply concerned" by the flash flooding. He then hands over to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who says Trump is "absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas". "This morning I talked with him several times and he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he's grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we are still looking for and hoping to return to their families," she says. "He is absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government to help unify families." She then praises the state of Texas. "I do know that the state of Texas is amazing in how it responds to disasters," she says. "Not every state is like that. Many states do not do what the people of Texas do. And you are an example to the nation of getting through these difficult times." She says she will be visiting Camp Mystic later today, where 27 girls are currently missing. Press conference begins The press conference is now starting, after a delay of almost 45 minutes. Governor Greg Abbott begins by praising the response of Texans to the disaster and says the state "will be relentless" when it comes to locating and identifying victims. He then expands the disaster declaration to several other counties within Texas.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
06-07-2025
- Climate
- First Post
Texas floods: Death toll crosses 50 as many summer camp children are still missing, rescue ops continue
At least 51 people, including many children, have died in devastating flash floods across central Texas, officials said on Saturday. Rescue teams are still searching for dozens of missing people, including 27 girls from a summer camp swept away by rising waters. read more A flood gauge marks the height of water flowing over a farm-to-market road near Kerrville, Texas, on Friday, July 4, 2025. AP At least 51 people have died in the state so far, many of them children, following flash floods in central Texas, authorities said on Saturday as rescuers continued a frantic search for campers, vacationers and residents who were still missing. Rescue teams continued searching riverbanks on Saturday, now covered with broken trees, overturned cars, and muddy debris, in a desperate effort to find missing people. Among them are more than two dozen girls who vanished after their summer camp was hit by a powerful flash flood. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 36 hours after the disaster, officials have still not confirmed the total number of people missing, except for 27 girls from Camp Mystic—a Christian summer camp on the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, where most of the victims have been found. The floodwaters surged 26 feet (8 metres) in just 45 minutes before sunrise on Friday, sweeping away homes and vehicles. The threat isn't over, as heavy rain continued to pound areas near San Antonio on Saturday, with flash flood warnings still in effect. Rescuers have been using helicopters, boats, and drones to search for victims and help people trapped in trees or stranded at isolated camps. Texas Governor Greg Abbott said authorities would keep working non-stop to search for the missing and expand the search as waters recede. More rain also fell around Austin, and the search intensified across the surrounding Hill Country. In Travis County, where the state capital is located, three people have died and ten are still missing. Two more deaths were reported in Burnet County. One firefighter is among the missing after being swept away during a rescue mission, according to Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 32 bodies have been recovered so far in the Hill Country—18 adults and 14 children. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Officials are now facing questions about whether enough warnings were given to camps and residents in flood-prone areas and if proper safety measures were in place.
Hamilton Spectator
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Hamilton Spectator
14 children in Texas are among the 37 dead from flash floods as the search continues for the missing
KERRVILLE, Texas (AP) — Rescuers scoured flooded riverbanks littered with mangled trees, overturned cars and muck-filled debris Saturday in an increasingly bleak mission to locate missing people, including more than two dozen girls who have not been seen since their camp was slammed with a wall of water in a historic flash flood. The storm killed at least 37 people across the state, including 14 children. Some 36 hours after the floods, authorities still have not said how many people were missing beyond 27 children from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along a river in Kerr County where most of the dead were recovered. The destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River in just 45 minutes before daybreak Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. The danger was not over as torrential rains continued pounding communities outside San Antonio on Saturday and flash flood warnings and watches remained in effect. Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads. Gov. Greg Abbott vowed that authorities will be relentless and work around the clock to rescue and recover victims, adding that new areas were being searched as the water recedes. 'We will find every one of them,' he said. More rain fell around Austin, and a massive search continued in the nearby Hill Country. At least three people died and 10 others were missing in Travis County, home to the state capital. Two people died in Burnet County, where a firefighter was among the missing after he was swept away by floodwaters while responding to a rescue, county Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio said. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said 32 bodies had been recovered so far in the devastated Hill Country: 18 adults and 14 children. Authorities were coming under scrutiny over whether the camps and residents in places long vulnerable to flooding received proper warning and whether enough preparations were made. The hills along the Guadalupe River in central Texas are dotted with century-old youth camps and campgrounds where generations of families have come to swim and enjoy the outdoors. The area is especially popular around the July Fourth holiday, making it more difficult to know how many are missing. 'We don't even want to begin to estimate at this time,' City Manager Dalton Rice said Saturday morning. Raging storm hit camp in middle of the night 'The camp was completely destroyed,' said Elinor Lester, 13, one of hundreds of campers. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' The raging storm, fueled by incredible amounts of moisture , woke up her cabin just after midnight Friday, and when rescuers arrived, they tied a rope for the girls to hold as they walked across a bridge with water whipping around their legs, she said. Frantic parents and families posted photos of missing loved ones and pleas for information. On Saturday the camp was mostly deserted. Helicopters roared above as a few people surveyed the damage, including a pickup tossed onto its side and a building missing its entire front wall. Among those confirmed dead were an 8-year-old girl from Mountain Brook, Alabama, who was at Camp Mystic, and the director of another camp just up the road. The flooding in the middle of the night caught many residents, campers and officials by surprise. AccuWeather said the private forecasting company and the National Weather Service sent warnings about potential flash flooding hours beforehand. 'These warnings should have provided officials with ample time to evacuate camps such as Camp Mystic and get people to safety,' AccuWeather said in a statement. It called the Hill Country one of the most flash-flood-prone areas of the U.S. because of its terrain and many water crossings. Officials defended their actions while saying they had not expected such an intense downpour, the equivalent of months' worth of rain for the area. U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, whose district includes the ravaged area, called it a once-in-a-century flood and acknowledged that there would be second-guessing and finger-pointing as people look for someone to blame. 'There's a lot of people saying why and how, and I understand that,' Roy said. Helicopters and drones used in frantic search Search crews were facing harsh conditions while 'looking in every possible location,' Rice said. Officials said more than 850 people had been rescued in the last 36 hours and there were heroic efforts at the camps to save children. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem arrived and pledged that the Trump administration would use all available resources. Coast Guard helicopters and planes were assisting to ensure operations can continue even in darkness. One reunification center at an elementary school was mostly quiet after taking in hundreds of evacuees the day before. 'We still have people coming here looking for their loved ones. We've had a little success, but not much,' said Bobby Templeton, superintendent of Ingram Independent School District. People clung to trees and fled to attics In Ingram, Erin Burgess woke to thunder and rain in the middle of the night. Just 20 minutes later, water was pouring into her home, she said. She described an agonizing hour clinging to a tree with her teen son. 'My son and I floated to a tree where we hung onto it, and my boyfriend and my dog floated away. He was lost for a while, but we found them,' she said. Barry Adelman said water pushed everyone in his three-story house into the attic, including his 94-year-old grandmother and 9-year-old grandson. 'I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death,' he said. Locals know the place as ' flash flood alley.' 'When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil,' said Austin Dickson, CEO of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country, which was collecting donations. 'It rushes down the hill.' 'Nobody saw this coming' The weekend forecast had called for rain, with a flood watch upgraded to a warning overnight Friday for at least 30,000 people. 'We know we get rains. We know the river rises. But nobody saw this coming,' said Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the county's chief elected official. The county had considered a flood warning system on the river similar to a tornado warning siren about six or seven years ago, but Kelly said the idea never got off the ground and the cost would have been an issue. Kelly said he was heartbroken seeing body bags at the funeral home and the devastation on the ground during a helicopter tour. 'The rescue has gone as well as can be expected. It's getting time now for the recovery,' he said. 'And that's going to be a long, toilsome task for us.' ___ Cortez reported from Hunt, Texas, and Seewer from Toledo, Ohio. Associated Press writers Susan Haigh in Hartford, Connecticut, and Susan Montoya Bryan in Albuquerque, New Mexico, contributed. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
