Latest news with #ElPasoFireDepartmentWaterRescueTeam
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
El Paso Fire Department Water Rescue Team continues to help in Texas floods
The El Paso Fire Department Water Rescue Team continues helping search for persons missing after the devastating flooding that has killed more than 100 people in central Texas, officials said. The specially-trained members of the EPFD Water Rescue Team have been deployed since Friday, July 4. The team is currently working in Burnet County with agencies from across Texas searching for persons missing after the flash floods, the city of El Paso said in a news release on Monday, July 7. Burnet County is located northwest of Austin. More: Here's how to help those affected by the devastating Texas floods "Our personnel are not assigned to fixed shifts, which means they remain mission-ready around the clock," EPFD Water Rescue Coordinator and Battalion Chief Kris Menendez said in a statement. "The team's commitment, resilience, and hope are unwavering — we're here to help our fellow Texans, no matter the challenge." The El Paso team, as part of Texas Task Force 1, has assisted in rescue efforts in areas of Marble Falls and Burnet, the city said. The El Paso team, which is based in Llano, is currently set for a operations in central Texas through July 15, but additional water rescue personnel can be mobilized if needed, the city stated. EPFD Water Rescue Team members helped in swift-water rescues of two people clinging to trees after their vehicles were swept away by floodwaters in Marble Falls, city officials said. The team also assisted in emergency evacuations of victims from a flooded RV park. Teams members helped about 35 to 40 people and pets get to safety, the city of El Paso stated. Some residents were rescued off the rooftops of RVs by a U.S. Coast Guard helicopter. The EPFD Water Rescue Team trains year-round and is regularly utilized in water rescues and body recoveries in the fast-moving canals next to the border alongside Rio Grande. The team also assists in regional rescue emergencies, including recently during flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Texas flooding: El Paso FD Water Rescue Team continues search help
Yahoo
09-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
El Paso siblings among victims of deadly Ruidoso, New Mexico flooding
Two children from El Paso are among three people who died in raging flash floods that struck the mountain forest resort town of Ruidoso, New Mexico, the town's mayor said. Charlotte and Sebastian Trotter, who were visiting from El Paso, were found deceased after flooding on Tuesday, July 8, that was so powerful that it carried away some homes, Ruidoso Mayor Lynn Crawford said during a radio interview on KRUI on Wednesday morning, July 9. "Our hearts are broken, our stomachs are in knots over the fact that we have lost these folks," Crawford said. Texas flooding: El Paso Fire Department Water Rescue Team continues to help in Texas floods The other victim was an unidentified man estimated to be between 40 and 50 years old. All three had been carried away downstream during the flooding from Riverside RV Park by the Rio Ruidoso, town officials said. On Tuesday, a Facebook post by a woman identifying herself as the children's aunt asked for help in finding Charlotte, 5, and Sebastian, 7, who were missing after flash flooding at an RV park in Ruidoso. The children were later found dead. The initial Facebook post stated that the children were last seen at Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park, but the owners and management of the park on Wednesday clarified that it occurred another RV park. "Our hearts are with the family of the children that went missing at an RV Park two miles downriver from us and all those impacted by the devastating flash flood," Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park stated on a Facebook post. "As members of the Ruidoso community, we are deeply saddened by this tragedy and are keeping the family, first responders, and everyone involved in our thoughts and prayers. "We want to gently clarify that the incident did not take place at Midtown Mountain Campground & RV Park. All guests at our location were immediately accounted for. Our team took swift measures to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone on site," the Midtown Mountain Campground post added. "We kindly ask our community and visitors to help stop the spread of misinformation, as accurate information remains vital during moments like this and in the days to follow – both out of the respect for the families affected and to support the integrity of ongoing recovery efforts." Ruidoso has been recovering from wildfires last year that left burn scars on the mountain forest community prone to quickly turning into dangerous flash floods. The mountain village is a popular vacation spot located about 130 miles north of El Paso, Texas. Daniel Borunda may be reached at dborunda@ and @BorundaDaniel on X. This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: 2 El Paso children among dead in New Mexico flooding in Ruidoso
