Latest news with #GregAbbot
USA Today
15-07-2025
- Climate
- USA Today
Fate of dozens still unknown in Texas flooding: 'Don't know how many were lost'
Almost 100 people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of flooding that devastated central Texas and killed more than 130 people, authorities say. Gov. Greg Abbot said 97 people were still listed as missing in the greater Kerrville area, down from the 160-plus just days ago. Some of those still sought may have been reported missing in error, he said. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said a large percentage of those unaccounted for were probably visiting the area. He said many tourists had come for the Independence Day weekend fireworks and concert. Historic flooding overwhelmed the banks of the Guadalupe River in the predawn hours of July 4. "We don't know how many came, we don't know where they are, we don't know how many we lost," Kelly said. "We've heard accounts of trailer after trailer after trailer being swept into the river with families in the them. Can't find trailers.' Abbott, who visited some of the flood-devastated areas Monday, said state lawmakers would investigate the disaster preparedness and emergency response to the flooding at a special legislative session to convene later this month. "We remain unrelenting in our 24/7 operation to save and protect lives," Abbott said in a social media post. "Texas is a community. We are Texas strong." Texas flooding updates: New round of thunderstorms hampers rescue efforts How the flooding tragedy unfolded Heavy rainfall, rocky terrain and the nearby Gulf climate combined to quickly turn the Guadalupe River into a destructive torrent across Kerr County and the Texas Hill Country. The swath of land – including Camp Mystic, where at least 27 children and counselors were killed – has earned the nickname "flash flood alley," and hundreds have died there over the years. A series of weather events conspired to create tragedy. It began with moisture from Tropical Storm Barry that drifted over Texas in the first few days of July, said Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service Austin/San Antonio office. There, it collided with an upper-level low pressure system, which parked it in place. Read more here. See how the Texas floods unfolded: Why Camp Mystic was in a hazardous location
Yahoo
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Greg Abbott Moves to Rig the Midterms Amid Texas Floods
Governor Greg Abbot is trying to further gerrymander Texas while his state recovers from some of the deadliest flooding in its history. On Wednesday, Abbot told state lawmakers to begin the redistricting process as he positions Republicans to maintain control of the House in 2026. This directive has come straight from President Trump, who is desperately urging states to find ways to create more Republican seats under the guise that the current maps are 'unconstitutional.' Abbot's directive has drawn the ire of leaders across the state—as well as nationally. 'While Texans battle tragic and deadly flooding, Governor Abbott and House Republicans are plotting a mid-decade gerrymander,' Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries wrote Wednesday on X. 'They should be modernizing emergency response—not rigging maps.' Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa described the move as a 'blatant partisan power grab.' 'I've been disappointed in this governor before. But I've never been so thoroughly disgusted,' Hinojosa said. 'The governor is so heartless as to do this right now?' At least 120 people have been confirmed dead in the flash flooding, and at least 170 are still missing at the time of this writing. And while Republicans across the country chide Democrats, calling their legitimate questions around emergency response an attempt to 'politicize' the situation, the governor himself is more concerned with politics as usual.
Saudi Gazette
09-07-2025
- Saudi Gazette
More than 160 people are still missing after deadly Texas floods
AUSTIN — Over 160 people are still believed to be missing in Texas following deadly flash floods which killed more than 100 people during the weekend, the state's governor said on Tuesday. The number tripled after local officials set up a hotline that families could call to report people believed to be missing. Many of those missing were likely staying in Texas' Hill Country without officially registering at a camp or hotel, according to state governor Greg Abbot. He said most were reported missing in Kerr County, where most of the victims have been recovered so far. Texas inspectors reportedly signed off on the emergency planning of Camp Mystic just two days before the deadly flooding. Two dozen people were killed at the all-girls Christian summer camp, most of them children. The camp did not evacuate and was hit especially hard after the nearby Guadalupe river rose to 9 metres within 60 minutes in the early morning hours. A wall of water overwhelmed people in camps and tents. Some survivors were found clinging to trees. At least 27 campers and counsellors at the camp died during the flood. Officials say that five campers and one counsellor have still not been found. Search-and-rescue teams in the area are using heavy equipment to untangle and peel away layers of trees, unearth large rocks in riverbanks and move massive piles of debris in the search for the missing people. Crews in airboats, helicopters and hundreds of volunteers are involved in one of Texas' history biggest ever search-and-rescue missions. Authorities have come under scrutiny over whether proper warnings were issued to camps and residents in an area long known for severe flash flooding. Officials defended their actions, stating that they had not expected such an intense downpour, which was the equivalent to months' worth of rain for the area. The Republican governor Abbot, who took a helicopter tour of the disaster zone, dismissed a question about who was to blame for the deaths, saying 'That's the word choice of losers.' 'Every football team makes mistakes,' he said. 'The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who's to blame. The championship teams are the ones who say, 'Don't worry about it, man, we got this. We're going to make sure that we go score again and we're going to win this game.' The way winners talk is not to point fingers.' US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to visit Texas on Friday. According to Abbot, Trump has pledged to provide whatever relief Texas needs to recover. The Guadalupe river surged more than eight metres in just 45 minutes last Friday, destroying homes, camps and vehicles. The disaster unfolded as heavy rains continued across Texas into the weekend, prompting more flash flood warnings. The hills along the Guadalupe in central Texas are dotted with youth camps and campgrounds. The area is especially popular around the 4 July holiday, making it more challenging to determine how many are missing. Forecast service AccuWeather, along with the National Weather Service, had issued warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the devastation. For years, scientists have been sounding the alarm that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events – including flash floods – around the world. Studies continue to show that warmer oceans and a wetter atmosphere are fuelling stronger and more frequent storms everywhere from Europe to the US. — Euronews
Euronews
09-07-2025
- Euronews
Over 160 people still missing after deadly Texas floods, governor says
Over 160 people are still believed to be missing in Texas following deadly flash floods which killed more than 100 people during the weekend, the state's governor said on Tuesday. The number tripled after local officials set up a hotline that families could call to report people believed to be missing. Many of those missing were likely staying in Texas' Hill Country without officially registering at a camp or hotel, according to state governor Greg Abbot. He said most were reported missing in Kerr County, where most of the victims have been recovered so far. Texas inspectors reportedly signed off on the emergency planning of Camp Mystic just two days before the deadly flooding. Two dozen people were killed at the all-girls Christian summer camp, most of them children. The camp did not evacuate and was hit especially hard after the nearby Guadalupe river rose to 9 metres within 60 minutes in the early morning hours. A wall of water overwhelmed people in camps and tents. Some survivors were found clinging to trees. At least 27 campers and counsellors at the camp died during the flood. Officials say that five campers and one counsellor have still not been found. Search-and-rescue teams in the area are using heavy equipment to untangle and peel away layers of trees, unearth large rocks in riverbanks and move massive piles of debris in the search for the missing people. Crews in airboats, helicopters and hundreds of volunteers are involved in one of Texas' history biggest ever search-and-rescue missions. How officials responded Authorities have come under scrutiny over whether proper warnings were issued to camps and residents in an area long known for severe flash flooding. Officials defended their actions, stating that they had not expected such an intense downpour, which was the equivalent to months' worth of rain for the area. The Republican governor Abbot, who took a helicopter tour of the disaster zone, dismissed a question about who was to blame for the deaths, saying 'That's the word choice of losers.' 'Every football team makes mistakes,' he said. 'The losing teams are the ones that try to point out who's to blame. The championship teams are the ones who say, 'Don't worry about it, man, we got this. We're going to make sure that we go score again and we're going to win this game.' The way winners talk is not to point fingers.' US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to visit Texas on Friday. According to Abbot, Trump has pledged to provide whatever relief Texas needs to recover. What happened? The Guadalupe river surged more than eight metres in just 45 minutes last Friday, destroying homes, camps and vehicles. The disaster unfolded as heavy rains continued across Texas into the weekend, prompting more flash flood warnings. The hills along the Guadalupe in central Texas are dotted with youth camps and campgrounds. The area is especially popular around the 4 July holiday, making it more challenging to determine how many are missing. Forecast service AccuWeather, along with the National Weather Service, had issued warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the devastation. For years, scientists have been sounding the alarm that climate change is intensifying extreme weather events – including flash floods – around the world. Studies continue to show that warmer oceans and a wetter atmosphere are fuelling stronger and more frequent storms everywhere from Europe to the US.
Euronews
06-07-2025
- Climate
- Euronews
Death toll in Texas rises to 78, with 10 campers still missing
Authorities said on Sunday that the death toll had risen to 78 following flash floods in Texas which ripped apart the area and washed homes off their foundations. Texas governor Greg Abbot said at least 41 people were confirmed to be missing. This included ten camps and a counsellor from a Christian summer camp. Abbot pledged to keep searching until 'everybody is found' from Friday's flash floods. He also warned that further heavy rainfall expected to last until Tuesday could lead to more dangerous conditions in the area. Volunteers and some families of the missing drove to the most heavily hit regions to search the riverbanks for survivors despite being asked by officials not to do so. US President Donald Trump signed a major disaster declaration for the affected region Kerr County on Sunday. 'These families are enduring an unimaginable tragedy, with many lives lost, and many still missing,' he said on social media. Following the Angelus on Sunday, Pope Leo expressed "sincere condolences" to all those who lost loved ones in the devastating flash floods. The Guadalupe river surged more than eight metres in just 45 minutes on Friday, destroying homes, camps and vehicles. The disaster unfolded as heavy rains continued across Texas into the weekend, prompting more flash flood warnings. Texas authorities used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and rescue stranded people. Officials said more than 850 people were rescued in the first 36 hours. Authorities face growing scrutiny over whether enough warnings were issued in an area long vulnerable to flooding and whether enough preparations were made. They defended their actions, stating that they had not expected such an intense downpour, which was equivalent to months' worth of rain for the area. The hills along the Guadalupe in central Texas are dotted with youth camps and campgrounds. The area is especially popular around the 4 July holiday, making it more challenging to determine how many are missing.
