Latest news with #Storms
CNN
a day ago
- General
- CNN
A girl's death in Texas floods is her family's third loss this year. 3 mementos she left help her mom cope
Storms HurricanesFacebookTweetLink Follow The last time Lindsey McLeod McCrory saw her daughter Blakely alive, the young girl was heading to camp wearing a simple yet profound necklace – one that would later reconnect Blakely to her mother after she died. It was a green-and-white beaded Camp Mystic necklace – a tribute to the legendary Christian girls' camp in the foothills of Texas' Hill Country where Blakely was going. It's the same camp her mother and other women in the family had attended and forged lifelong memories. 'I gave this necklace to my daughter right before camp, and I advised her that if she didn't want to lose it – because she's 8 years old, and of course, they lose jewelry – I told her to wear it … during the whole time at camp,' McCrory told CNN on Friday. Blakely's new necklace served as a reminder of her mother's support at a time of immense loss. Blakely's father died from cancer in March. And just last month, she lost her uncle to illness. But Camp Mystic was a haven where Blakely's grief gave way to joy. 'She was so excited, and it came at such a good time since she lost her daddy,' McCrory said. 'It was a way for her to just heal with that sisterhood and her faith and just all of the fun activities.' Everything changed in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, when torrential rainfall and catastrophic flooding ripped through central Texas – claiming at least 135 lives, many near the Guadalupe River. At Camp Mystic, the cabins with the youngest campers were closest to the river. Blakely, along with 26 other Camp Mystic girls and counselors, perished in the deluge – forcing her family to endure yet another unfathomable tragedy. Despite the anguish, McCrory has found solace – thanks in part to letters that she received from Blakely after she died. Even though Blakely was a new camper in a cabin full of strangers, she didn't seem nervous about going to camp. 'She loves the outdoors. She loves to fish, horseback ride,' her mother said. In a letter to her mother, Blakely said camp was 'amazing.' She was looking forward to playing tennis, going horseback riding and trying other sports, she wrote. The letter also said Blakely became a 'tonk' – something she had dreamed of. Every new girl at Camp Mystic draws a slip that tells them which 'tribe' they belong to – the Tonkawa or the Kiowa tribe. 'The tribe traditions, which have been handed down since Mystic's beginning' in 1926, 'help to emphasize team spirit, fun competition and good sportsmanship' during games, Camp Mystic's website says. 'After each game, the losing tribe commends the winning tribe who, in turn, compliments the losing tribe. Campers from opposite tribes pair up after each game and go up to Chapel Hill to pray.' Drawing a red slip meant the Tonkawa tribe. A blue slip signified the Kiowa tribe. Blakely 'wanted to be a Tonk really badly,' her mom said. 'Her two cousins are both Tonks. … So she wanted to be a Tonk so she could compete with her cousins' tribe.' The rituals instill 'sportsmanship and competition amongst the girls, which is so great for later on in life,' McCrory said. After Blakely drew a red slip, 'she was just ecstatic,' her mother said. In another letter, Blakely made an urgent request to her mother, who was getting ready to donate items because the family was preparing to move: 'PS. Please don't give my Barbie Dream house,' the 8-year-old scrawled on a colorful piece of paper. McCrory didn't receive those letters until after Blakely died. But the scribbled request forced a smile onto the grieving mother's face. 'It's just funny how a little girl's mind works. And that's why I laughed when I got the letter, because I could just hear her writing her thoughts down,' McCrory said. 'And it was just funny. … It was so Blakely.' After sending Blakely off to camp, McCrory joined her sister and two nieces on a trip to Europe. It was the first such outing since the deaths of McCrory's husband, Blake, and her brother, Chanse McLeod – both within the last five months. When news trickled in overseas about some flooding at Camp Mystic, McCrory had no idea how bad it was. 'We were on a boat, and when we docked for lunch, we received some text messages' – including one reporting flooding at Camp Mystic. 'And so what popped in my mind – because we didn't have all of the full reports of the 30-foot surge – (was) that it was like the flood in 1987, when I was a camper.' Back then, 'you had to stay in your cabin for safety,' she said. 'They didn't want people walking in the mud and sliding around since there are so many hills. And they would bring food to us. And so that was what I first imagined it was.' McCrory then lost cell service and didn't receive a call from Camp Mystic. Eventually, she gained access to her voicemails and heard a horrid message: Blakely was missing. 'I just dropped the phone on the table, shaking,' she said. 'I was frozen when I heard that voicemail.' McCrory soon jumped on a plane back to Houston. At the same time, Blakely's half-brother and his mother scoured an evacuation center in Ingram, hoping to find Blakely. For two days, the family waited in anguish as crews trudged through thick mud and debris searching for victims and survivors. Then, on July 7, McCrory received the dreaded news: Blakely's body had been found. She was still wearing the Camp Mystic necklace her mom had given her – a piece of jewelry that helped identify her. For a widow who lost her husband, her only brother and her only daughter in just five months, McCrory is remarkably composed. She exudes an aura of calmness and even optimism. McCrory chalks it up to her faith, her family and her support network – all of which have ties to Camp Mystic. 'My faith is so strong. Actually, I was a camper at Camp Mystic, and I felt so close to my faith attending there as a camper,' she said. 'We had lovely devotionals on the waterfront where the Guadalupe River is, in the mornings, and then in the evenings, on Sundays, we went to Chapel Hill. And just the sisterhood, the faith – it just really brought me closer.' McCrory said she has learned how to cope after each tragedy and takes comfort in knowing her lost loved ones are together again. 'We lost my husband in March, and then my brother in June. So I think that prepared me for Blakely's loss,' she said. 'I'm coping very well. I have amazing love and support from people I know (and) from people I don't know. The mothers of the campers that were lost were on a group text, and were able to share stories and thoughts – and even funny moments.' As she prepared for Blakely's funeral Friday, McCrory wore the beaded necklace that she had given her daughter. 'My good friends from high school had it extended so that I could wear it, so I would have a touchstone close to my heart,' she said. She's also thankful for Blakely – and the fact that her final days were spent doing what she loved. 'She had the best time at camp. She went out on a happy note,' her mother said. And as the water started to rise, a counselor made a keen observation: 'Blakely was encouraging her cabinmates to not be afraid,' McCrory said. 'She was always a leader, encouraging others. So in my heart, I know it happened fast. And I'm just so grateful the life that she lived was so happy.'
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Two EF-0 tornadoes confirmed in Wisconsin following Wednesday storms
(WFRV) – Severe weather moved through Wisconsin on Wednesday afternoon, and while Local 5's viewing area was largely spared from the worst of the storms, two tornadoes have been confirmed in the southern part of the state. According to the National Weather Service (NWS) in Milwaukee, survey crews confirmed an EF-0 tornado with estimated winds of 70 miles per hour. It began near the intersection of County Road E and W. Hillcrest Road, about three miles southwest of Hustisford in Dodge County. The tornado touched down around 3:22 p.m. and lifted near Grey Road and Wildcat Road, northeast of Hustisford, at approximately 3:36 p.m. 'Summer of Drive-Thru:' Appleton Chick-fil-A to give away free chicken sandwiches A second EF-0 tornado, with estimated winds of 65 miles per hour, was confirmed in cornfields and tree lines near Buckhorn Road and Breezy Point Road—about five miles north-northeast of Beaver Dam. That tornado briefly touched down at 2:59 p.m. NWS survey teams are continuing to assess damage in the area and are looking for additional evidence of other tornadoes. Storm Team 5 is monitoring their findings and will provide updates as they become available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CNN
2 days ago
- Climate
- CNN
Rescue pups from Texas flood zone arrive in Chicago to find new homes
Animal stories Hurricanes StormsFacebookTweetLink Follow More than two dozen dogs and puppies rescued from the deadly Texas flood zone are ready for forever homes after being flown to a Chicago shelter. PAWS Chicago received 31 pups this week from no-kill organizations that coordinated to move the animals out of the flood-stricken region, including Austin Pets Alive! and Choncho Valley PAWS. All the pups were in shelters in Texas at the time of the floods, and 'by bringing them to Chicago, those shelters now have more room to help the pets who were displaced by the storms and reunite lost pets with their families,' PAWS Chicago wrote on social media. Superman, a brown mixed breed dog, was one of the dogs rescued in the disaster, CNN previously reported. Likely saved by his family during the flooding, his owner ultimately died. Rescuers got the rest of the family out, but Superman stayed behind. A team found him sitting in the wasted remnants of what used to be his home. Superman was placed with a foster family as his own grappled with their loss. Rescuing pets in disasters has become a major, multi-organizational effort as extreme weather has become more intense and frequent. Agencies coordinate across the country to relocate animals who have lost their homes, families or shelters. PAWS Chicago's disaster relief program began in 2005 when the organization took in more than 200 pets in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, according to the shelter. Since then, PAWS has rescued pets from areas impacted by Hurricane Helene last year and rescued 33 dogs from Houston shelters after storms in 2023. Gourd, one of the dogs delivered to Chicago from Texas, is ready to be adopted 'and is currently available at the PAWS Chicago Lincoln Park Adoption Center (1997 N. Clybourn Ave.),' according to the organization's spokesperson. The rest of the pups will be available for adoption from PAWS Chicago after receiving exams, vaccinations and veterinary care, the spokesperson said. 'In the meantime, many will be eligible for foster while they await medical clearance and surgery — along with many other pets in our program.'
CNN
12-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Nature gave warning of recent deadly disasters. Were the right people listening?
Storms Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The first warning of impending disaster some Texas Hill Country residents received came in the form of rushing water, strange noises from passing debris and the screams of victims swept down a raging river. The usually serene bend of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County rapidly transformed into a torrent of destruction in the early hours of July 4. The catastrophe has claimed the lives of at least 120 people, with more than 150 still missing. One week later, serious questions remain about what actions local leaders took after ominous warnings from the National Weather Service, echoing other recent high-profile natural disasters marked by accusations of government complacency. Texas has faced criticism in the wake of disaster before, during 2021's devastating winter weather, and allegations of inefficiency and mismanagement have also followed the wildfires in Los Angeles and Maui — underscoring why figuring out exactly what happened before and during disasters is so critical. The potential for heavy rain first prompted state emergency management officials to begin pre-positioning resources in the region last week. On the morning of July 3, 'there was a 10 o'clock weather call,' to discuss the situation, said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. 'And judges and mayors are invited to be on the call.' Just over three hours later, forecasters at the NWS issued a flood watch listing Kerrville and surrounding areas at risk for flash flooding and 5 to 7 inches of rainfall. But a more serious NWS alert came at 1:14 a.m. on Independence Day morning, warning residents of central Kerr Country of 'life-threatening flash flooding,' followed a few hours later by a series of flash flood emergency notices as the Guadalupe River burst its banks and tore through summer camps, homes and recreational vehicles. Despite repeated attempts by reporters and community members to seek answers, it remains unclear what, if anything, Kerr County public safety leaders did after the first early morning notice of imminent danger from forecasters. While some local residents described receiving text notifications from the NWS, many did not. And despite spotty cell service in parts of western Kerr County, it's unclear how county leaders acted following the first NWS flash flood warning, and if they sent out evacuation notices of their own or attempted making physical contact with people in the potential impact zone. Prev Next It's also unclear whether county leaders were on the initial Thursday phone call with the Texas Department of Emergency Management, nor is it understood how closely local officials were monitoring forecast reports. In response to multiple questions, some state and local leaders have grown defensive, insisting their focus is on the rigorous and back-breaking work still underway to find the missing. They say a review of the actions of government officials will come later. In a news briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott pushed back when asked about accountability. 'Who is to blame?' Abbott said, repeating a reporter's question. 'Know this, that's the word choice of losers.' But the questions being asked by reporters mirror the very same ones coming from devastated local residents. After the deadly Los Angeles fires earlier this year, which claimed the lives of 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes, local government leaders faced an onslaught of criticism. 'HEADS UP!!!,' the National Weather Service posted on social media a day before the blazes, describing an impending windstorm as 'LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE.' HEADS UP!!! A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected Tue afternoon-Weds morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted. See graphic for areas of greatest concern. Stay indoors, away from windows, expect poweroutages. #LA Despite that warning, an investigation by The Los Angeles Times found the city's fire department opted to not deploy in advance about 1,000 personnel and fire engines to respond to any potential fires that might be sparked by the fury of wind that began descending on the area. The Los Angeles Fire Department chief, who was relieved of duty after the fires, had previously complained about cuts to the department's budget, saying they had 'adversely affected the Department's ability to maintain core operations, such as technology and communication infrastructure, payroll processing, training, fire prevention, and community education.' And when flames started chewing through Los Angeles area neighborhoods, many residents in some of the hardest-hit areas said they had received no evacuation warning at all. 'None of us got a red (mandatory evacuation) alert before we felt ready to leave our houses,' local resident Mark Douglas told CNN. 'You know, we felt heat and fire and that trumps any alert. So a lot of us gave up on the alert system at that point.' In language similar to what's now being used by officials in Texas Hill Country, LA's fire commission president said it was 'out of line' to blame any local official for the magnitude of the fires shortly after the tragedy, insisting the focus should be on helping the residents who lost everything. An investigation into the response is still ongoing. An investigation of the catastrophic Maui wildfires that killed 101 people and left $6 billion in damage in August 2023 revealed a spate of problems with emergency preparation and coordination before and during the disaster. Investigators concluded there was 'minimal' pre-positioning of staff and equipment after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning prior to four major wildfires breaking out. As wind-fueled fires whipped their way across communities, Maui County's 80 emergency sirens meant to warn residents of imminent danger remained silent. In the days after, officials offered several explanations amid growing frustration: The sirens were broken. They weren't activated. They would have sent people into danger and not away from it. Authorities vowed to conduct a full assessment of siren operations. A deadly deep freeze and winter storm slammed Texas in February 2021. The NWS issued alerts ahead of the dangerous winter weather, and by February 14, every county in the state of Texas was under an active winter storm warning. Power went out for 4.5 million homes and businesses due to the combination of snow, ice and prolonged cold. Families across the Lone Star State were forced to scavenge for firewood or spend nights in their cars, trying desperately to stay warm in the more than weeklong freeze. In addition to the widespread power outages, water system failures and breakdowns in infrastructure soon followed. More than 200 people died. While the dangerous days-long power outages were still underway, Gov. Abbott blamed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state's power grid, for what he said were failures to prepare the state for the winter storm. Abbott did also say he was 'taking responsibility for the current status of ERCOT,' adding, 'I find what has happened unacceptable.' Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz also faced criticism for flying to Cancun, Mexico, as the state froze – a decision he ultimately said was 'obviously a mistake.' Cruz was also on a preplanned family vacation when the deadly floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country on Friday. The senator 'promptly booked a flight back home' and returned Sunday evening, his office said in a statement. While Kerr County residents await answers on what attention local leaders paid to the warnings from forecasters, it's evident from past disasters that getting to the bottom of what officials did or did not do is critical. Although none have disputed the devastating floods appeared with remarkable speed, one thing appears clear: The weather warnings came. Many elected officials and meteorology veterans have come to the defense of the NWS in the days since. 'The weather service did their job,' Rick Spinrad, former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Tuesday. 'The watches and warnings went out. Clearly the heartbreak with respect to this development is that those warnings were not received.' CNN's Nicquel Terry Ellis, Natasha Chen, Holly Yan, Eric Levenson and Dakin Andone contributed to this report
CNN
12-07-2025
- Climate
- CNN
Nature gave warning of recent deadly disasters. Were the right people listening?
Storms Federal agenciesFacebookTweetLink Follow The first warning of impending disaster some Texas Hill Country residents received came in the form of rushing water, strange noises from passing debris and the screams of victims swept down a raging river. The usually serene bend of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County rapidly transformed into a torrent of destruction in the early hours of July 4. The catastrophe has claimed the lives of at least 120 people, with more than 150 still missing. One week later, serious questions remain about what actions local leaders took after ominous warnings from the National Weather Service, echoing other recent high-profile natural disasters marked by accusations of government complacency. Texas has faced criticism in the wake of disaster before, during 2021's devastating winter weather, and allegations of inefficiency and mismanagement have also followed the wildfires in Los Angeles and Maui — underscoring why figuring out exactly what happened before and during disasters is so critical. The potential for heavy rain first prompted state emergency management officials to begin pre-positioning resources in the region last week. On the morning of July 3, 'there was a 10 o'clock weather call,' to discuss the situation, said Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. 'And judges and mayors are invited to be on the call.' Just over three hours later, forecasters at the NWS issued a flood watch listing Kerrville and surrounding areas at risk for flash flooding and 5 to 7 inches of rainfall. But a more serious NWS alert came at 1:14 a.m. on Independence Day morning, warning residents of central Kerr Country of 'life-threatening flash flooding,' followed a few hours later by a series of flash flood emergency notices as the Guadalupe River burst its banks and tore through summer camps, homes and recreational vehicles. Despite repeated attempts by reporters and community members to seek answers, it remains unclear what, if anything, Kerr County public safety leaders did after the first early morning notice of imminent danger from forecasters. While some local residents described receiving text notifications from the NWS, many did not. And despite spotty cell service in parts of western Kerr County, it's unclear how county leaders acted following the first NWS flash flood warning, and if they sent out evacuation notices of their own or attempted making physical contact with people in the potential impact zone. Prev Next It's also unclear whether county leaders were on the initial Thursday phone call with the Texas Department of Emergency Management, nor is it understood how closely local officials were monitoring forecast reports. In response to multiple questions, some state and local leaders have grown defensive, insisting their focus is on the rigorous and back-breaking work still underway to find the missing. They say a review of the actions of government officials will come later. In a news briefing on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott pushed back when asked about accountability. 'Who is to blame?' Abbott said, repeating a reporter's question. 'Know this, that's the word choice of losers.' But the questions being asked by reporters mirror the very same ones coming from devastated local residents. After the deadly Los Angeles fires earlier this year, which claimed the lives of 30 people and destroyed thousands of homes, local government leaders faced an onslaught of criticism. 'HEADS UP!!!,' the National Weather Service posted on social media a day before the blazes, describing an impending windstorm as 'LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE.' HEADS UP!!! A LIFE-THREATENING, DESTRUCTIVE, Widespread Windstorm is expected Tue afternoon-Weds morning across much of Ventura/LA Co. Areas not typically windy will be impacted. See graphic for areas of greatest concern. Stay indoors, away from windows, expect poweroutages. #LA Despite that warning, an investigation by The Los Angeles Times found the city's fire department opted to not deploy in advance about 1,000 personnel and fire engines to respond to any potential fires that might be sparked by the fury of wind that began descending on the area. The Los Angeles Fire Department chief, who was relieved of duty after the fires, had previously complained about cuts to the department's budget, saying they had 'adversely affected the Department's ability to maintain core operations, such as technology and communication infrastructure, payroll processing, training, fire prevention, and community education.' And when flames started chewing through Los Angeles area neighborhoods, many residents in some of the hardest-hit areas said they had received no evacuation warning at all. 'None of us got a red (mandatory evacuation) alert before we felt ready to leave our houses,' local resident Mark Douglas told CNN. 'You know, we felt heat and fire and that trumps any alert. So a lot of us gave up on the alert system at that point.' In language similar to what's now being used by officials in Texas Hill Country, LA's fire commission president said it was 'out of line' to blame any local official for the magnitude of the fires shortly after the tragedy, insisting the focus should be on helping the residents who lost everything. An investigation into the response is still ongoing. An investigation of the catastrophic Maui wildfires that killed 101 people and left $6 billion in damage in August 2023 revealed a spate of problems with emergency preparation and coordination before and during the disaster. Investigators concluded there was 'minimal' pre-positioning of staff and equipment after the National Weather Service issued a red flag warning prior to four major wildfires breaking out. As wind-fueled fires whipped their way across communities, Maui County's 80 emergency sirens meant to warn residents of imminent danger remained silent. In the days after, officials offered several explanations amid growing frustration: The sirens were broken. They weren't activated. They would have sent people into danger and not away from it. Authorities vowed to conduct a full assessment of siren operations. A deadly deep freeze and winter storm slammed Texas in February 2021. The NWS issued alerts ahead of the dangerous winter weather, and by February 14, every county in the state of Texas was under an active winter storm warning. Power went out for 4.5 million homes and businesses due to the combination of snow, ice and prolonged cold. Families across the Lone Star State were forced to scavenge for firewood or spend nights in their cars, trying desperately to stay warm in the more than weeklong freeze. In addition to the widespread power outages, water system failures and breakdowns in infrastructure soon followed. More than 200 people died. While the dangerous days-long power outages were still underway, Gov. Abbott blamed the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), which operates the state's power grid, for what he said were failures to prepare the state for the winter storm. Abbott did also say he was 'taking responsibility for the current status of ERCOT,' adding, 'I find what has happened unacceptable.' Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz also faced criticism for flying to Cancun, Mexico, as the state froze – a decision he ultimately said was 'obviously a mistake.' Cruz was also on a preplanned family vacation when the deadly floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country on Friday. The senator 'promptly booked a flight back home' and returned Sunday evening, his office said in a statement. While Kerr County residents await answers on what attention local leaders paid to the warnings from forecasters, it's evident from past disasters that getting to the bottom of what officials did or did not do is critical. Although none have disputed the devastating floods appeared with remarkable speed, one thing appears clear: The weather warnings came. Many elected officials and meteorology veterans have come to the defense of the NWS in the days since. 'The weather service did their job,' Rick Spinrad, former head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, said Tuesday. 'The watches and warnings went out. Clearly the heartbreak with respect to this development is that those warnings were not received.' CNN's Nicquel Terry Ellis, Natasha Chen, Holly Yan, Eric Levenson and Dakin Andone contributed to this report
