Officials warn of public health and storm runoff risks from heavy rains and flooding

Officials warn of public health and storm runoff risks from heavy rains and flooding

Flood waters that took lives and destroyed homes throughout the Hill Country over the long July Fourth weekend, also saturated the Central Texas region, pushing contamination and debris through creeks and waterways. While the storms’ full environmental impacts may take weeks to assess, Austin-area officials warn they could be serious. “It’s really important to emphasize that stormwater runoff, even from smaller rain events, washes high levels of bacteria and other pollutants into creeks,” Austin Watershed…

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Hills, rivers and rocky terrain: Why the Hill Country keeps flooding

Hills, rivers and rocky terrain: Why the Hill Country keeps flooding

Audio recording is automated for accessibility. Humans wrote and edited the story. See our AI policy, and give us feedback. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news. When floodwaters tore through the Texas Hill Country on July Fourth weekend, killing more than 100 people — including campers and counselors at an all-girls summer camp along the Guadalupe River — Kerr…

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US Coast Guard-Corpus Christi rescue swimmer saves 169 lives in Texas floods; called an 'American Hero'

US Coast Guard-Corpus Christi rescue swimmer saves 169 lives in Texas floods; called an 'American Hero'

USCG Petty Officer Scott Ruskan said this is his first mission. CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — US Coast Guard-Sector Corpus Christi Rescue Swimmer Scott Ruskan is being called “An American Hero” after helping save more than 169 lives during the devastating Fourth of July weekend flooding in Texas’ Hill Country.  The Coast Guard said that once Texas A&M Task Force 1 realized the extent of the flooding, they requested two Coast Guard units to help.  A…

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Roads closed, people without homes: Focus turns to cleanup after flood damage from Chantal

Roads closed, people without homes: Focus turns to cleanup after flood damage from Chantal

Central North Carolina communities are still recovering from the impact of Tropical Depression Chantal, which left devastating flooding in its wake, especially in Alamance, Durham, Chatham, Orange, Moore and Person counties. On Tuesday, Gov. Josh Stein will tour some of the hardest-hit areas, including Lake Michael Park in Mebane, to survey flood damage. According to Duke Energy, there are more than 5,000 power outages across the state, and improvement since more than 30,000 outages during…

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Texas woman clinging to hope for missing father amid Hill Country floods

Texas woman clinging to hope for missing father amid Hill Country floods

The couple, who lived in East Texas, moved to the HTR TX Hill Country Campground, one of the hardest hit areas by the floods. KERR COUNTY, Texas — As families rush to the Texas Hill Country, desperately searching for their missing loved ones, one woman is holding onto hope that her father and stepmother are still alive.  After devastating flashfloods, first responders are still searching for many missing people. Among those are Jaeme Behrendt’s father,…

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Camp Mystic alumni unite in prayer and song after deadly Central Texas flooding

Camp Mystic alumni unite in prayer and song after deadly Central Texas flooding

For almost 100 years, Camp Mystic has been welcoming girls to the banks of the Guadalupe River. A wall of water washed away everything but the memories. DALLAS — As they evacuated Camp Mystic in a bus, the soft voices of survivors of Central Texas’ July 4 weekend flooding can be heard singing songs from their Christian girls’ camp. A camp nurse recorded it, and it has now been shared multiple times on social media….

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Feelings of hopelessness common after tragedies like Central Texas floods, psychologists say

Feelings of hopelessness common after tragedies like Central Texas floods, psychologists say

From taking a break from the news to volunteering, an expert offers suggestions on how to deal with our feelings about the flood tragedy. AUSTIN, Texas — There’s no question that many of the images of the Hill Country and Central Texas floods on television and social media have been difficult to watch because of the suffering and the sheer enormity of the tragedy. The images are disturbing, from the pictures of those who died…

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'Nothing short of a miracle,' | East Texas sisters share harrowing flash flood survival story

'Nothing short of a miracle,' | East Texas sisters share harrowing flash flood survival story

“We thought it was a normal thunderstorm,” Lilly Kummerfeld said. “We didn’t know about any of the destruction or the horrible things happening at that moment.” TYLER, Texas — A beloved summer camp tradition became a nightmare when two East Texas sisters were swept up in a deadly flash flood. For the first time, the sisters Lilly and Paige Kummerfeld shared the terrifying night, the lives lost and the rescuers who risked everything to bring…

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Chadbourn family urging NCDOT to address persistent flooding issues in their area

Chadbourn family urging NCDOT to address persistent flooding issues in their area

7 minutes ago CHADBOURN, NC (WWAY) — Tropical Storm Chantal swept through the Cape Fear over the Fourth of July weekend, bringing flooding and a tornado in the Kings Grant area of Wilmington. One area of the Cape Fear that received significant rainfall was the town of Chadbourn. One couple. Holly and Corey Floyd woke up early Sunday morning to an all-too familiar sight. “I lifted the blind up and I just couldn’t believe all…

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Feelings of hopelessness common after tragedies like Central Texas floods, psychologists say

Feelings of hopelessness common after tragedies like Central Texas floods, psychologists say

From taking a break from the news to volunteering, an expert offers suggestions on how to deal with our feelings about the flood tragedy. AUSTIN, Texas — There’s no question that many of the images of the Hill Country and Central Texas floods on television and social media have been difficult to watch because of the suffering and the sheer enormity of the tragedy. The images are disturbing, from the pictures of those who died…

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After losing their mother to the floods, Central Texas sisters look for answers on their brothers

After losing their mother to the floods, Central Texas sisters look for answers on their brothers

With 12 people still missing in Travis County, many families are anxiously waiting for updates. LEANDER, Texas — Due to catastrophic flooding over the weekend, at least 13 people have been found dead in Travis, Burnet and Williamson counties, and at least 12 people are still missing, leaving many families anxious for updates. Two sisters, Sherry McCutcheon and Terry Traugott, are remembering their mom, Betty West, who lived with their two brothers, Doug West and Gary Traugott,…

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Kerrville residents recall harrowing escape from deadly flooding and unity amid recovery

Kerrville residents recall harrowing escape from deadly flooding and unity amid recovery

Pearl Cole and her family reflect on evacuating their Kerrville home during the flooding that devastated the area on July Fourth. KERRVILLE, Texas — Kerrville resident Pearl Cole says it was about 4:30 Friday morning when her brother woke her up saying he was in ankle-deep water. Her brother has dementia, so Cole said she discounted what he said. “I thought I was dreaming because Larry said ‘You’re not going to believe this but I’ve…

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AG Ken Paxton warns of scammers amid flurry of donations for Texas flooding victims

AG Ken Paxton warns of scammers amid flurry of donations for Texas flooding victims

As donations roll in for victims of catastrophic Texas flooding, officials are warning donors to beware of scammers. Here are some trusted ways to donate. AUSTIN, Texas — After deadly floods swept through Central Texas, donations from around the country have been pouring into the region. As good-hearted donors give back to the devastated communities, Texas officials are asking that people remain vigilant and avoid scammers. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a consumer alert Monday,…

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Deadly flooding renews urgency for warning system in Kerr County

Deadly flooding renews urgency for warning system in Kerr County

After years of warnings and failed efforts to install a flood alert system, state and local leaders are now facing renewed pressure to act in Kerr County. KERR COUNTY, Texas — Deadly flooding ravaged Wimberley in 2015. That’s when former Kerr County Commissioner Tom Moser realized something had to be done. “I knew that there was that kind of potential and even greater in Kerr County,” Moser said. The danger in Kerr County isn’t new….

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'Go blue for Greta' | Community shows support for Houston girl still missing in the Hill Country flooding

'Go blue for Greta' | Community shows support for Houston girl still missing in the Hill Country flooding

Blue is Greta Toranzo‘s favorite color, so in a post on social media, the Sinclair Elementary Parent Teacher Organization asked people to tie a blue ribbon on their tree.  At a vigil Sunday night, people wore blue shirts and brought blue flowers and balloons to a growing memorial for the 10-year-old. The collection of photos and flowers along the school fence continued to grow Monday afternoon. The floods in Central Texas have left at least…

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