Extreme Weather

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More than 160 people are still missing after deadly Texas floods, governor says

HUNT, Texas (AP) — More than 160 people are still believed to be missing in Texas days after flash floods killed over 100 people during the July Fourth weekend, the state’s governor said Tuesday.

https://apnews.com/article/texas-floods-victims-camp-mystic-death-toll-ea38edadc7e965fb2c76c0ec46245a82?

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New Mexico floods

Monsoon rains triggered dangerous flash flooding in an area of southern New Mexico that was stripped of vegetation by recent wildfires. The National Weather Service issued flood warnings in the Ruidoso area on Tuesday and officials urged residents to seek higher ground as the waters of the Rio Ruidoso rose nearly 19 feet in a matter of minutes. First responders carried out at least 85 swift-water rescues, helping many people who were trapped inside their homes and cars. No deaths were reported; however, the extent of the flood damage won’t be known until the water recedes. At least three people have been reported missing.

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Searchers in helicopters and on horseback scour Texas flood debris for the missing As the search in Texas continued Wednesday for more than 160 people believed to be missing days after a destructive wall of water killed over 100 people, the full extent of the catastrophe had yet to be revealed as officials warned that unaccounted victims could still be found amid the massive piles of debris that stretch for miles. Read more.

What to know: Crews in airboats, helicopters and on horseback along with hundreds of volunteers are part of one of the largest search operations in Texas history. The flash flood is the deadliest from inland flooding in the U.S. since Colorado’s Big Thompson Canyon flood on July 31, 1976, killed 144 people, said Bob Henson, a meteorologist with Yale Climate Connections.   Just two days before the flooding, Texas inspectors had signed off on Camp Mystic’s emergency planning. But five years of inspection reports released to The Associated Press don’t provide any details about how the camp would instruct campers about evacuating and specific duties each staff member and counselor would be assigned.   Questions mounted about what, if any, actions local officials took to warn campers and residents who were in the scenic area long known to locals as “flash flood alley.”

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A father who saved his family but lost his life is among the latest Texas flood fatalities   Timeline raises questions over how Texas officials handled warnings before the July 4 flood   A deadly 1987 flood scarred the same Texas county that is reeling through another disaster

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3 missing, house swept away as flash flooding hits mountain village in New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — At least three people were missing in a mountain village in southern New Mexico that is a popular summer retreat after monsoon rains triggered flash flooding Tuesday that was so intense an entire house was swept downstream.

https://apnews.com/article/flash-floods-new-mexico-mountain-village-189b28910c458a3fdfe7114322c51188?

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A decade of missed opportunities: Texas couldn’t find $1M for flood warning system near camps Over the last decade, an array of local and state agencies have missed opportunities to fund a flood warning system intended to avert the type of disaster that swept away dozens of people in Kerr County, Texas. The agencies failed to secure roughly $1 million for a project to better protect the county’s 50,000 residents and thousands of youth campers and tourists in an area along the Guadalupe River known as “flash-flood alley.” Read more.

Why this matters: Local authorities and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have urged the public not to point fingers after the flooding, which killed at least 120 people and left scores more reported missing.   The plan, which would have installed flood monitoring equipment near Camp Mystic, cost about as much as the county spends on courthouse security every two years, or 1.5% of its annual budget. Meanwhile, other communities moved ahead with sirens and warning systems. In nearby Comfort, a three-minute warning sound signifying flood danger helped evacuate the town of 2,000 people as practiced.   A deadly 2015 Memorial Day flood in Kerr County rekindled debate over whether to install a flood monitoring system and public evacuation sirens when the river rose to dangerous levels. Some officials thought it was finally time. But the idea ran into opposition. Residents and elected officials opposed the installation of sirens, citing the cost and noise that they feared would result from repeated alarms.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Known for quiet acts of service, a 91-year-old is among those killed in Texas floods   Heroics of Texas camp counselors cast spotlight on those who oversee millions of kids each summer   How Americans think the government should respond to natural disasters, according to recent polls

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Mourning begins in Texas where more than 170 are still missing from flash floods

Shock has turned into grief across Texas where at least 120 people have died from flash floods and more were missing as the search for victims moved methodically Thursday along endless miles of rivers and rubble. Read More.   Questions are still unanswered about Texas’ deadly floods Key questions remain unanswered about the actions that Texas officials took both before and during the catastrophic July Fourth holiday floods as a painstaking search for victims continues along the Guadalupe River nearly a week later. At least 120 people were killed and more than 160 people are believed to still be missing. Read more. Key questions: How quickly did Texas authorities act? That’s still unknown. Since the flood, Kerr County officials have repeatedly deflected questions about the details and timelines of their response. How did officials prepare? The full extent of Texas officials’ readiness is unclear. When will we find out more details? Officials haven’t given a timeline. They’ve repeatedly said their focus for now is on searching for the missing. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ A Texas family clung to life on their roof, capturing the terrifying flooding in photos and video   Texas officials are trying to figure out who’s really missing from the floods   Photos show the trail of destruction in the aftermath of flooding in Kerr County, Texas

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Texas flooding

Just 10 days after catastrophic flash floods swept through central Texas, a band of slow-moving thunderstorms is bringing more heavy rain to the region. While the most significant rain occurred on Sunday morning, the chance of thunderstorms — as well as the potential for rapid river rises and more flash flooding — continues into today. Over the weekend, the state conducted water rescues in San Saba, Lampasas and Schleicher counties, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said. Some areas of San Saba County were under a mandatory evacuation order due to rainfall in the area. Further south in Kerr County, where 106 people died and at least 140 others are still missing following the July 4 disaster, a flood watch remains in effect until 9 a.m. local time today.

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Flash! Boom! Bolt of lightning damages National Weather Service equipment

It’s yet another example of why Florida is known as the lightning capital of the United States.

https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2025/07/14/flash-boom-bolt-of-lightning-damages-national-weather-service-equipment/?

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Flash flooding

Millions in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic region remain under flash-flood warnings this morning. According to the National Weather Service, slow-moving summer storms have already caused flooding in New Jersey, New York, Virginia and Maryland, with more rain expected today. New York City experienced its second-wettest hour on record after a little over 2 inches of rain fell between 7 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Monday. A deluge of water filled at least one Manhattan subway station and several trains had to be suspended, delayed or rerouted. Impacts to air travel were reported at Boston, New York City and Washington, DC, airports. First responders in Pennsylvania conducted at least 16 water rescues and there were reports of more than 5 feet of water in some homes when over 7 inches of rain fell in less than five hours, authorities said. Water rescues also took place in Virginia after 2 to 3 inches of rain fell in less than two hours.   Heavy rains and flash flooding sweep across the Northeast NEW YORK (AP) — Heavy rain swept across parts of the U.S. Northeast on Monday night, inundating sections of New York and New Jersey with flash flooding that stranded vehicles in roadways, closed subway lines and led to a declaration of a state of emergency. https://apnews.com/article/flash-floods-northeast-new-york-new-jersey-09b0e611a1dead720168b3acccc4aeb1?

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2 dead in New Jersey after floodwaters carry away vehicle during heavy rains that hit Northeast

Two people in New Jersey were killed after their vehicle was swept up in floodwaters during a storm that moved across the U.S. Northeast overnight, authorities said Tuesday. Read More.

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Heroism in Texas

Frames hang from a wall with flood marks, following flooding at Camp Mystic near Hunt, Texas. Photo: Marco Bello/Reuters In the days following the devastating flash floods in Texas, we've heard countless stories of loss and heartbreak. But emerging alongside the tragedy are powerful accounts of heroism. The big picture: Disasters often reveal the best of humanity. Zoom in: On that terrifying morning as floodwaters rapidly rose, acts of extraordinary courage stood out. A teenage camp counselor, an 82-year-old great-grandmother, and a stranger who rescued a mother and her four children during his morning commute are among the heroes who showed remarkable bravery and composure — and saved lives. We can all be inspired by their stories: ? Ainslie Bashara, a 19-year-old counselor at Camp Mystic, which was hit hard by the floods, saved all 16 8- to 10-year-olds in "Giggle Box," her cabin. She and co-counselors took the girls in small groups, with just one headlamp between them. "All of them were crying. They clung to Ainslie — her arms, back, waist, hair — as the former dancer slogged through the current toward a dry pavilion about 30 yards away," The Washington Post's John Woodrow Cox writes (gift link). When they got to drier land, the teen counselors led the little kids in prayer. "'Can I pray about my stuffed animal that I left in my cabin?' one girl asked, so they prayed for Banana the monkey, too," Cox writes. Members of a search and rescue team visit a memorial wall for flood victims on Sunday in Kerrville, Texas. Photo: Eric Gay/AP ? Penny Deupree's house stood three miles down the Guadalupe River from Camp Mystic. The morning the floods hit, the 82-year-old was hosting her son and daughter-in-law, two granddaughters and their partners, and two great-grandchildren, The Wall Street Journal's Dan Frosch reports (gift link). She noticed the flooding starting when she got up to use the bathroom at 3 a.m., and woke up the whole family. All of them, including two dogs, got up to the house's loft. Then, when the water kept rising, they used a pocketknife and sheer strength to punch a hole into the side of the house. They crawled through it one by one and swam up to the roof to wait for help. Eventually, they all made it down safely — humans and dogs. ? Matthew Crowder was on his morning commute when a flooding home caught his attention. He went over to the house and started screaming to wake up Crissy Eliashar, a mom, who was sleeping inside with four kids, NBC News reports. He then helped guide them to safety. Matthew's warning saved all five of them, along with four dogs, not too long before the flood ripped their home off its foundation. During the rescue, Crissy's young daughter, Dove, tripped and was almost washed away. But her son — Dove's older brother — jumped in and grabbed his sister by her hair to save her, Crissy told NBC. ? What you can do: Consider giving to a fundraiser on this list of verified GoFundMe campaigns started by families affected by the flooding.

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?️ Mapped: Summer of floods

Data: Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Map: Erin Davis/Axios Visuals This map shows where storms sweeping the country have prompted flash flood warnings this year. Why it matters: The National Weather Service has issued more flash flood warnings so far in 2025 than in any other year on record. Go deeper: Why flash floods like those in Texas and New York are becoming more common.

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?"Year of the flood"

Data: Iowa Environmental Mesonet. Chart: Axios Visuals The National Weather Service has issued a record number of flash flood warnings so far in 2025, as storms have brought devastating and deadly rainfall to Texas, the Northeast and elsewhere. The numbers reflect the recent above-average rainfall we've had in parts of the country, with some slow-moving storms dropping lots of water relatively quickly, Axios' Alex Fitzpatrick reports. ?️ By the numbers: NWS offices issued 3,160 flash flood warnings nationwide this year through July 16, according to a tracker at Iowa State University. That's the most for that period in any year since records began in 1986. "2025 has been the year of the flood," meteorologist Michael Lowry writes. Go deeper

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Texas floods

Texas lawmakers will hold a special hearing today to investigate the state’s response to the deadly flash floods that hit over the July 4th weekend. At least 135 people were killed in central Texas, including more than 100 in Kerr County, where children’s camps and RV parks sat on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The joint select committee’s inquiry will include testimony from officials in charge of managing the rivers in the area as well as the head of the Division of Emergency Management and members of the state police. The lawmakers are expected to seek details about flood planning, disaster preparedness and response and communications. “We need to find out what happened. We need to know for us to go forward and make sure that we prevent the loss of life on the scale,” said José Menéndez, a Democratic state senator who will be on the joint select committee.

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Extreme weather

A dangerous line of storms roared across the northern Plains and upper Midwest overnight, unleashing large hail and wind gusts over 90 mph. Several tornadoes were also reported in parts of rural South Dakota and Iowa, the National Weather Service said. The thunderstorm complex weakened before it could meet the distance criteria to be classified as a derecho, but the end result was the same: damage to homes and businesses, hundreds of trees down and more than 250,000 customers without power. The severe storm threat has lessened to a Level 2 of 5 risk today as the system shifts south and east into the central Plains and Great Lakes. The Weather Prediction Center has also identified a Level 2 of 4 risk of flooding rain across the region.

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Extreme weather

Heavy storms that developed on Thursday afternoon and lasted through the evening dumped torrential rain on millions in the mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. All that water wreaked havoc along the Interstate 95 corridor, flooding roads and stranding vehicles in several states. In New York City, videos from inside Grand Central Terminal showed a Metro-North train drenched in water; one passenger told CNN that being inside the train car felt like being in a car wash. Intense rains caused leaks at SEPTA stations in Philadelphia as well. The storms also disrupted air travel, with ground stops reported at major airports in New York and Washington, DC, and thousands of flights were cancelled or delayed.

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Rural Texas county’s top leaders were asleep and out of town during the initial hours of the flood crisis Two top leaders in a rural Texas county said Thursday they were asleep and a third was out of town in the initial hours of a catastrophic flood that came barreling through the region, causing widespread destruction and killing more than 130 people earlier this month. Read more.

Why this matters: Their testimony, which came during a joint House and Senate panel of lawmakers who visited the hard-hit Texas Hill Country, was the first indication of the whereabouts of the trio of men who were charged with preparing for the impending weather and dispatching resources to rescue those affected. It also revealed a lack of on-duty leadership in the key initial moments of the flooding that killed at least 136 people, including 27 youths and counselors at an all-girls camp.

RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Government to keep sharing key satellite data for hurricane forecasting despite planned cutoff   People had hours before the tsunami hit. How they spent it worsened evacuation gridlock   A Florida county leads the way with a high-tech 911 system that improves emergency response

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Boy, 13, dies after getting trapped in a storm drain during East Coast flooding

A 13-year-old boy died after he was trapped in a storm drain in Maryland during heavy rainfall and flooding on the East Coast that also led to rescues from cars that were submerged in floodwaters, officials said. Read More.

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Extreme weather

More than 10 million people across the Midwest remain under flood alerts this morning as heavy rains continue to fall. Milwaukee was hit particularly hard by storms over the weekend and is on track to break its daily rainfall record of 14.5 inches. On Sunday, Milwaukee County declared a state of emergency as the Milwaukee River crested to a historic 11.19 feet. Flash floods swamped roads and stranded vehicles, prompting first responders to make dozens of water rescues. Even the Wisconsin State Fair had to shut down early because heavy rains flooded the fairgrounds. The severe weather is part of the same storm system that brought wind gusts of more than 80 mph to Nebraska on Saturday and killed one person. Hundreds of inmates at the Nebraska State Penitentiary also had to be relocated after the storms damaged two housing units, the AP reported.

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Juneau River Flooding

Residents in parts of Alaska’s capital, Juneau, evacuated yesterday amid the threat of record flooding. The Mendenhall River along western Juneau rose 7 feet within 24 hours, cresting at a record height of 16.7 feet.    The flooding is tied to the retreat of a small glacier near Suicide Basin (see history, including its 2011 discovery). The bedrock valley accumulates annually with meltwater, with nearby Mendenhall Glacier serving as an ice dam. When enough water accumulates, the water breaches the glacier, releasing outburst floods into the Mendenhall River. Roughly 15 billion gallons of water (enough for more than 22,000 Olympic pools) were released in last year's flood.   Last month, officials finished erecting 2.5 miles of emergency flood barriers along the most populated areas of the Mendenhall riverbank. The barriers consist of rock-filled steel cages and sandbags, designed to raise the riverbank and protect homes from up to 18 feet of flooding. A longer-term solution is expected to take years.

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Texas floods

The parents of some of the 27 girls who died when a catastrophic flood swept through Camp Mystic in July sat before a Texas state Senate committee on Wednesday and called for stronger safety standards at youth camps. “Our precious, hilarious, kind, caring, silly, loving little girl who always wanted to help others, died because there was no plan, because there was no backup system or sirens, because the sweet 18- and 19-year-old counselors did not have the training they needed. Instead, they were told to stay in place, a rule that proved to be fatal,” said Carrie Hanna, whose 8-year-old daughter Hadley perished at the camp, which largely sat in a flood-prone area. The parents were testifying about a bill that would require camps to have emergency rooftop ladders in every cabin in the floodplain and flash flood evacuation plans. The bill would also create a line of succession for officials in the event they are absent when a disaster strikes.

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Towering wall of dust rolls through metro Phoenix, leaving thousands without power

PHOENIX (AP) — A powerful storm kicked up a towering wall of dust that rolled through metro Phoenix on Monday, darkening the sky, blinding drivers, knocking out power and grounding flights at one of the nation’s busiest airports.

https://apnews.com/article/arizona-dust-storm-haboob-ca6e25fe03c724f298e3f1e3a736fdd9?

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Forecast wild card

La Niña could make a comeback. The weather pattern has about coin-flip odds of emerging in the fall — and once it arrives, it’s likely to stick around for much of the winter. However, snow lovers shouldn’t celebrate just yet.

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Nor’easter without a name to bring ocean flooding and high winds to US East Coast

A storm without a name was expected to bring flooding to the East Coast from South Carolina to New Jersey and high winds to New York City over the holiday weekend.

https://apnews.com/article/tropical-weather-northeaster-southwest-1fdc92d3265363906dcd81036de0efdd?

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New Jersey declares emergency as nor’easter approaches, while Alaska flooding carries away homes

A nor’easter churned its way up the East Coast on Sunday, washing out roads and prompting air travel delays as heavily populated areas of the Northeast experienced excessive rain, lashing winds and coastal flooding. Across the continent in western Alaska, the remnants of Typhoon Halong brought hurricane-force winds and catastrophic flooding to coastal communities, pushing entire houses off their foundations.

https://apnews.com/article/tropical-weather-northeast-flooding-new-jersey-264fd8abd6b02714d9cd9ac6c7a07631?