Latest news with #TexasFloods
RNZ News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
More turns in Trump's handling of Epstein case
United State correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Melissa Chan-Green about a number of developments concerning Donald Trump's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, as well as the number of people reported missing after the Texas floods droppping significantly. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
Yahoo
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Hundreds were reported missing after deadly Texas floods. Most of them were found safe
Texas Floods Extreme Weather DALLAS (AP) — Texas officials labored to account for more than 160 people originally reported missing along the Guadalupe River after the deadly July Fourth floods before ultimately concluding that most were safe and only three individuals still haven't been found, the top executive in the hardest-hit county said Monday. 'Most of them were tourists that came into town and left and went back home and didn't report that they were there,' Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said at a special meeting of the county commissioner court. He called the process a 'Herculean effort." The flash floods killed at least 135 people in Texas, and most of the deaths were in Kerr County, where destructive, fast-moving water rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River, washing away buildings and vehicles in the area about 60 miles (100 kilometers) northwest of San Antonio. The sharp revision in the number of missing by Kerr County officials on Saturday followed a familiar pattern in the often chaotic aftermath of large-scale disasters. Hundreds of people were reported missing in the initial days after the floods through a phone hotline and email address, which launched investigators on an 'exhaustive effort' to verify the status of each of those individuals, Kerrville police spokesperson Jonathan Lamb said. 'We understand how critical it is to report this information accurately — not only for the families affected but for the integrity of our emergency response as a whole,' Lamb said. Sharp swings follow disasters Drastic changes in the missing count after a disaster aren't unusual. For instance, the death count from the 2023 Maui fire was eventually found to be just over 100 — far below the 1,100 initially feared missing. In 2017, a wildfire in Northern California's wine country killed more than 20 people, but most of the 100 people initially reported missing were located safe. The 2018 wildfire that largely destroyed the California town of Paradise ended up killing nearly 100 people, though Butte County investigators at one point had the names of more than 3,000 people who were not accounted for in the early days of the disaster. The names were whittled down when the list was published in the local paper, and many people realized for the first time that officials were looking for them. Tourists and campers reported missing Texas' Hill Country is a popular tourist destination, where campers seek out spots along the Guadalupe River amid the rolling landscapes. Vacation cabins, RV parks and youth campgrounds fill the riverbanks and hills of Kerr County, including Camp Mystic, a century-old Christian summer camp for girls where at least 27 campers and counselors died in the floods. The flooding was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, experts said, and it moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in Kerr County, which lacked a warning system. Tracking down the missing At a July 14 news conference, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott had lowered the number of still-missing in the state to about 100 and suggested that pinning down that number was difficult. In the days after the floods, officials had put the number of missing at about 170 statewide with all but about 10 coming from Kerr County alone. Campers, residents or people who registered at RV parks or hotels are easier to account for, Abbott said. Others may have been reported missing by a friend, family member or coworker. In Travis County, which includes Austin, the floods killed at least 10 people. The sheriff's office has said one person remains on their missing list but may be removed if they can verify sightings of the person. Kristen Dark, a spokesperson for the sheriff's office, said investigators work the missing person and decedent list 'just like we would work any other cases.' For instance, if someone reports that they haven't seen their neighbor, deputies might begin by reaching out to the neighbor's employer and family. 'They use all kinds of different avenues to see if they can find out either that the person hasn't been seen or that the person is alive and here's where they are,' she said. ____ Associated Press writer Nadia Lathan in Austin contributed to this report.
Yahoo
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Texas Native Simone Biles Gives Emotional Tribute to Flood Victims as She Wins ESPY for Best Championship Performance
NEED TO KNOW Simone Biles paid tribute to the victims of the recent flooding in Texas Biles, 28, told the flood victims that 'words can't replace the pain, but our hearts are with you in this tragic time" The U.S. gymnast received the 2025 ESPY Award for Best Championship Performance on July 16Simone Biles used her ESPY Awards speech Wednesday night to pay tribute to the victims of the recent Texas floods. Biles, 28, gave a nod to the victims of the floods while receiving the 2025 ESPY award for Best Championship Performance on Wednesday, July 16.'Before I get into it, I first want to offer my sincere condolences to all those impacted by the devastating flash flooding on July 4th in Central Texas,' Biles said at the top of her speech. 'Words can't replace the pain, but our hearts are with you in this tragic time.' The flash flooding in Central Texas earlier this month left an estimated 132 people dead, while another 160 people are missing in Kerr County, according to The Associated Press. Camp Mystic, in Hunt, Texas, became a major site of the devastation, where dozens of its campers and counselors are believed to have died in the flooding. Biles, who grew up in Spring, Texas, was nominated for the Best Championship Performance award in a category that also included Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, golfer Rory McIlroy and Golden State Warriors star Stephen Curry. The U.S. gymnast won three gold medals and one silver at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris last year.'That was very unexpected, especially in a category of all men,' Biles quipped after receiving the award, drawing laughs and applause from the audience at the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I'm honored to receive this award,' Biles added. 'The recognition means more than you guys know. I would like to thank the people who have stood with me on this journey — my teammates, my competitors, my coaches, family and fans who have lifted me up every step of the way. I wouldn't be standing here without all of you.'Biles also said she will 'proudly share this award with my team of supporters.''Having a strong support system that understands your dreams, who are willing to show up for you, not just when you're winning, but when you're struggling, too, is really important,' Biles said. 'My sincere gratitude, appreciation and love to all of you who have stood with me on this magical journey, all the highs, lows, twists and turns along the way.' The ESPY Awards are airing live on ABC. Read the original article on People
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Bodies of Mobile woman, granddaughter found after Texas floods, family friends devastated
UPDATE (8:30 p.m.): The bodies of Ileana and Mila Santana were recovered this morning after the Texas floods in Kerr County. Close family friends, Alan Smith-Toro and Zaida Smith, tell News 5 that even though they are devastated by the recent news, they are thankful to finally have the closure that they prayed for. 'At least there's a little closure, I guess, for them to lay their loved ones down the proper way,' said Smith-Toro. Smith-Toro told us that even in this hard time, the family is thankful that the Santanas can all be laid together peacefully now. 'Everybody's just heartbroken,' said Smith-Toro. 'The boys are still numb and kind of trying to make their adjustments on everything,' he continued. The family was making funeral and cremation arrangements today in Texas. As of now, Eddie Sr. and Ileana's funeral will be held in Puerto Rico. Camille and Mila's will be held in Texas. Smith-Toro said Eddie Jr. and Michael are taking it one day at a time, though this closure only marks the beginning of the family's grief. 'They're staying with high spirits. I know they appreciate all the love and help and support from everybody,' said Smith-Toro. 'They're going to need even more love and support going forward. I don't want to say the hard parts over with because it's not.' Smith-Toro said family and friends have been keeping up with the Santana's home in West-Mobile during this difficult time. 'My mom, neighbors and different people will go and cut grass and do things at Eddie Sr. and Ileana's. (It's) just the little things that take some of the pressure off,' said Smith-Toro. MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The bodies of a Mobile woman and her granddaughter who were reported missing in the Kerr County, Texas floods have been found, according to a family friend. Alabama Tax Free Weekend: time to stock up Ileana Santana and 5-year-old Mila were found on July 15 after they went missing on July 4. According to family friends, Ileana and her husband, Eddie Sr., were visiting their son, Eddie Jr., his wife, Camille, and their granddaughter, Mila, over the Fourth of July weekend. Around 4 a.m. on July 4, the cabin that the family was staying in began to flood. Eddie Jr., the sole survivor, was able to get out of the cabin through a hole and was rescued around 8 a.m. Federal funding freeze could impact Mobile County Public Schools Camille's body was found on July 8 and Eddie Sr.'s body was found on July 11. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Fact or Fiction: Video shows Texas Gov. saying ICE deported Mexican volunteers?
A video you may have seen on social media appears to show Texas Governor Greg Abbott saying ICE deported Mexican volunteers who helped rescue people during the Texas floods.
