United News of Bangladesh

Search operations for victims of the devastating Texas floods were set to resume Monday after being temporarily suspended due to more heavy rain. The catastrophic flooding, which began on July 4, has already claimed at least 132 lives. Search efforts along the Guadalupe River were halted on Sunday as new storms triggered high water rescues and raised fears of further flooding. It marked the first weather-related suspension of the search since the disaster began. Authorities believe over 160 people remain missing in Kerr County, with 10 more unaccounted for in nearby areas. In Kerrville, where officials face criticism over whether timely warnings were issued, authorities went door-to-door early Sunday to alert residents of renewed flood risks and sent phone alerts across the area. Trump to visit Texas flood zone amid FEMA phase During the suspension, Ingram Fire Department ordered crews to evacuate the Guadalupe River corridor due to high flash flood risks. Later on Sunday, the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office announced that teams in the county’s western areas could resume operations. The Ingram Fire Department planned to restart search efforts Monday, said spokesman Brian Lochte. The National Weather Service has kept the region under a flood watch until 9 p.m. Monday, with up to 5 inches of rainfall expected. The saturated soil across the Hill Country raises concerns of increased runoff. Governor Greg Abbott said dozens of rescues took place in San Saba, Lampasas, and Schleicher counties. Around 100 homes were damaged, and widespread rural infrastructure, including cattle fencing, was destroyed, according to Ashley Johnson, CEO of the Hill Country Community Action Association. Camp Mystic, a historic girls’ summer camp along the Guadalupe River, lost at least 27 campers and counselors. Experts said the flood far exceeded FEMA’s 100-year projections and struck in the dead of night, catching many off guard.

President Donald Trump is set to visit flood-ravaged areas of Texas on Friday, even as questions grow over his administration’s pledge to shutter the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The trip comes after catastrophic flooding left at least 120 people dead and over 170 missing. Despite earlier promises to shift disaster response to states, Trump has focused on the tragedy’s human toll. “It's a horrible thing,” he said Friday. Speaking to NBC News, he described it as “a once-in-every-200-year deal.” Trump approved Texas’ request to expand the federal disaster declaration to eight additional counties, enabling direct financial assistance. He will tour the damage by air and meet with first responders and victims’ families, joined by First Lady Melania Trump, Governor Greg Abbott, and Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz. Trump administration sanctions UN investigator probing Gaza abuses Trump has used past disaster tours to attack political opponents but has stayed silent this time on FEMA’s future. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, “Whether that assistance comes from states or the federal government, that is a policy discussion that will continue.” OMB Director Russell Vought also avoided clarifying FEMA’s fate but said the agency has “billions” in reserves. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem noted, “We’re cutting through the paperwork of the old FEMA. Streamlining it, much like your vision.” Local officials in Texas face criticism over preparedness, but some residents, like Darrin Potter of Kerr County, urged understanding, saying evacuation could have been more dangerous.

At least 24 people have died and dozens remain missing after devastating flash floods swept through Texas Hill Country, with an urgent search underway for more than 20 girls from a summer camp along the Guadalupe River. The disaster unfolded early Friday when nearly a foot of rain pounded the region, triggering sudden flooding that washed away homes, vehicles, and parts of the landscape. Authorities said hundreds have been rescued across Kerr County, including at least 167 airlifted by helicopter. Officials confirmed that between 23 and 25 of the missing are attendees of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Families have flooded social media with pleas for information about their loved ones, as recovery teams continue their efforts. “The entire camp was wiped out,” said 13-year-old camper Elinor Lester. She described being awoken around 1:30 a.m. by the storm and later guided across a bridge, holding onto ropes for safety as water surged around them. The floodwaters rose rapidly, catching residents, officials, and campers off guard despite forecasts predicting heavy rain. Authorities admitted the storm's intensity far exceeded expectations, with rainfall totals equating to several months' worth in just hours. A river gauge near Hunt recorded the Guadalupe River rising 22 feet in just two hours before the gauge malfunctioned at 29.5 feet, according to meteorologist Bob Fogarty. "The water was moving so fast, people didn't realize the danger until it was too late," he said. At least 400 emergency responders, along with helicopters, drones, and specialized rescue teams, are scouring the flood-affected areas. Some people were rescued from treetops, officials said. Erin Burgess, a resident of Ingram, recounted how floodwaters invaded her home within minutes after 3:30 a.m. She and her son clung to a tree for nearly an hour before escaping. "My boyfriend and our dog were swept away, but thankfully, we found them," she said. Others were caught off guard by the disaster. Kerrville resident Matthew Stone said there were no emergency alerts before the floods hit. "We got no warnings, just a black wall of water," he recalled. At an emergency reunification center in Ingram, families anxiously waited for news. Some burst into tears as evacuees arrived, including a young girl from Camp Mystic sobbing in her mother's arms. Trump demands Fed's Chair Powell 'resign immediately' Many described terrifying escapes, including Barry Adelman, whose family — spanning four generations — took refuge in their attic as water levels climbed. "I had to tell my grandson everything would be okay, but I was terrified inside," Adelman said. Despite official statements defending preparations, some residents questioned why more proactive warnings were not issued. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged there is no countywide emergency warning system. "No one anticipated flooding of this scale," he insisted. The region, often called "flash flood alley," is notorious for such disasters due to the thin soil atop its hills, which causes rainwater to run off quickly, explained Austin Dickson, head of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. The Guadalupe River, typically a scenic attraction drawing tourists and summer campers from across the U.S., turned deadly overnight. Centuries-old camps like Mystic are an integral part of the local economy and culture, now left reeling by the disaster. Efforts to locate the missing and assist survivors continue as the Hill Country grapples with one of the deadliest flood events in recent memory.