Home Blog Page 288

Russia Launches Record 700+ Drone Attack on Ukraine, Largest Barrage of War

admin
-
0
Russia Launches Record 700+ Drone Attack on Ukraine, Largest Barrage of War

KYIV, Ukraine (BN24) — Russia launched more than 700 attack and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight in the largest single-night barrage of the three-year war, Ukrainian officials reported Wednesday, marking the third record-breaking assault within two weeks as Moscow intensifies its aerial campaign.

The massive overnight assault included 728 drones and 13 missiles, surpassing Russia’s previous record attacks of 550 drones launched on Friday and 477 drones fired less than a week earlier. The escalating pattern reflects Moscow’s strategy to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defense systems through sheer volume while targeting critical military infrastructure.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the city of Lutsk bore the brunt of the attack, with the western Ukrainian city’s airfields serving as primary targets. Lutsk’s strategic location near the Polish border makes it a crucial hub for receiving Western military aid, positioning the assault as an apparent attempt to disrupt Ukraine’s vital supply lines of foreign weapons.

The timing of the record drone barrage coincides with increased uncertainty surrounding American weapons deliveries and stalled peace efforts led by the United States. Zelenskyy characterized the massive assault as the Kremlin “making a point” amid the diplomatic tensions.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its forces targeted Ukrainian air bases and declared that “all the designated targets have been hit.” The ministry’s statement underscored Moscow’s focus on degrading Ukraine’s military infrastructure through sustained aerial bombardment.

The attack extended beyond Lutsk to strike 10 regions across Ukraine, resulting in at least one death in the Khmelnytskyi region and two wounded in the Kyiv region, according to Ukrainian officials. The widespread nature of the assault demonstrated Russia’s capability to conduct simultaneous operations across multiple fronts.

NATO member Poland responded to the massive drone attack by scrambling fighter jets and elevating its armed forces to the highest alert level. The Polish Armed Forces Operational Command announced the defensive measures through social media, highlighting the regional security implications of the escalating drone warfare.

Ukraine’s air defense systems successfully intercepted 296 drones and seven missiles during the overnight attack, while an additional 415 drones were either lost from radar tracking or electronically jammed. The defensive response showcased both the effectiveness of Ukrainian air defenses and the overwhelming scale of the Russian assault.

The massive drone attack occurred as Russia’s larger army launched a new offensive to break through sections of the 1,000-kilometer front line, where Ukrainian forces face severe manpower shortages and mounting pressure from sustained Russian advances.

President Donald Trump addressed the escalating situation Tuesday, expressing dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s unwillingness to modify his ceasefire and peace demands since Trump assumed office in January. Trump indicated Monday that the United States would need to increase weapons shipments to Ukraine, despite Washington’s recent pause in critical weapons deliveries to Kyiv.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov acknowledged Trump’s “quite tough style” in diplomatic communications while expressing Moscow’s hope to continue dialogue with Washington aimed at repairing damaged bilateral relations between the two nations.

Zelenskyy urged Ukraine’s international partners to impose stricter sanctions on Russian oil and entities financing the Kremlin’s war effort through petroleum purchases. The Ukrainian leader emphasized that “everyone who wants peace must act” during meetings with Pope Leo XIV in Italy ahead of an international conference focused on Ukraine’s reconstruction.

Ukrainian officials reported that their interceptor drones, specifically developed to counter Russian Shahed drones, demonstrated increasing effectiveness against the overnight assault. Zelenskyy announced that domestic production of anti-aircraft drones was being expanded through partnerships with Western countries to meet the growing threat.

Western military analysts warn that Russia continues expanding its drone manufacturing capabilities and could soon achieve the capacity to launch 1,000 drones per night against Ukrainian targets. The Institute for the Study of War noted that Russia’s domestic drone production expansion reflects the growing importance of tactical drones in front-line combat operations.

Ukraine has developed its own offensive drone capabilities, conducting long-range strikes deep into Russian territory as part of its defensive strategy. Russian officials reported that air defenses intercepted 86 Ukrainian drones over six Russian regions overnight, including the Moscow region.

The Ukrainian drone strikes temporarily suspended flights at Moscow’s Sheremetyevo airport and Kaluga’s international airport south of the capital. Alexander Khinshtein, governor of Russia’s Kursk border region, reported that a Ukrainian drone attack on the regional capital killed three people and wounded seven others, including a 5-year-old boy who died while being transported to a hospital.

The escalating drone warfare coincided with a significant legal development as Europe’s top human rights court ruled Wednesday that Russia violated international law during the Ukraine war. The court’s decision marked the first time an international tribunal found Moscow responsible for human rights abuses since the full-scale invasion began in 2022.

The same court also ruled that Russia was responsible for downing Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 in 2014, marking the first time Moscow was named by an international court as responsible for the tragedy that claimed 298 lives. While the court’s decisions carry symbolic weight, their practical enforcement remains limited.

AP

Trump Hosts West African Leaders After Cutting Aid to the Region, Promises Pivot to Trade

admin
-
0
Trump Hosts West African Leaders After Cutting Aid to the Region, Promises Pivot to Trade

WASHINGTON (BN24) — U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday pledged a shift from aid to trade during a White House lunch with five West African leaders, as the region grapples with the fallout from sweeping American aid cuts.

The meeting, which came as a surprise to many observers, followed the administration’s recent decision to dissolve the U.S. Agency for International Development and abandon what officials described as “a charity-based foreign aid model.” Instead, Trump said the United States would focus on partnerships with nations that demonstrate “both the ability and willingness to help themselves.”

“There is great economic potential in Africa,” Trump told the presidents of Liberia, Senegal, Gabon, Mauritania and Guinea-Bissau. He described their countries as “very vibrant places with very valuable land, great minerals, and great oil deposits, and wonderful people.”

The five nations account for only a fraction of U.S.-Africa trade, but they hold vast reserves of natural resources that American officials view as increasingly important. Senegal and Mauritania are also key transit and origin countries for migrants, while Guinea-Bissau has struggled to stem drug trafficking—two issues that have been priorities for the Trump administration.

During the meeting, African leaders adopted a complimentary tone and expressed gratitude to Trump, including thanks for the role Washington played last month in brokering a peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The agreement aimed to end decades of violence in eastern Congo while securing U.S. access to critical minerals, though analysts have warned the settlement is unlikely to halt the fighting entirely, as at least one major armed group has rejected it.

Mauritania’s president, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, emphasized his country’s resources to potential investors. “We have a great deal of resources,” he said, citing rare earth minerals, manganese, uranium and possibly lithium. “We have a lot of opportunities to offer in terms of investment.”

Trump, who during his first term used vulgar language to describe African nations, characterized trade as a tool for diplomacy and conflict resolution.

“Trade seems to be a foundation for settling disputes,” he said. “You guys are going to fight, we’re not going to trade. And we seem to be quite successful in doing that.” He added: “There is a lot of anger on your continent.”

The portion of the gathering open to reporters included little discussion of the aid cuts, which critics say could lead to severe humanitarian crises. West African countries are among the hardest hit by the USAID shutdown. According to the Center for Global Development, U.S. support accounted for 2.6% of Liberia’s gross national income—the highest share of any nation.

“We have closed the USAID group to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse,” Trump said, while vowing to forge “new economic opportunities involving both the United States and many African nations.”

Liberian President Joseph Nyuma Boakai later released a statement expressing optimism about the summit’s outcomes and reaffirming Liberia’s commitment to regional stability, democratic governance and inclusive growth.

During the lunch, Trump appeared visibly surprised by Boakai’s English, which he complimented. English has been Liberia’s official language since the country was founded in the early 1800s as a settlement for freed African Americans.

As Trump spoke, the administration was simultaneously notifying developing nations about higher tariffs set to take effect August 1, though the five West African countries were not among those targeted.

Gabon, Liberia, Mauritania and Senegal remain on a list of 36 countries under consideration for inclusion in an expanded U.S. travel ban.

South Sudan Says It Has 8 Men Removed From the US

admin
-
0
South Sudan Says It Has 8 Men Removed From the US

JUBA, South Sudan (BN24) — South Sudanese officials confirmed Tuesday that they have taken custody of eight men deported by the United States following a high-profile case that reached the U.S. Supreme Court.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Apuk Ayuel told reporters the men arrived at Juba International Airport on Saturday after what she described as “standard deportation procedures undertaken” by the U.S. government.

The group includes citizens of Cuba, Laos, Mexico, Myanmar, Vietnam and South Sudan. Trump administration officials said the men were convicted of violent crimes in the United States.

U.S. authorities said Friday the eight were removed in May and held for weeks at a U.S. military base in Djibouti before their transfer to South Sudan was cleared by the Supreme Court.

Ayuel said the men are “under the care of the relevant authorities who are screening them and ensuring their safety and well-being,” though she did not specify where they were being held.

Travelers No Longer Have to Remove Their Shoes During Security Screenings at US Airports-AP

admin
-
0
Travelers No Longer Have to Remove Their Shoes During Security Screenings at US Airports-AP

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Travelers passing through U.S. airports will no longer be required to remove their shoes at security checkpoints, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Tuesday, bringing an end to a practice that had become a fixture of air travel for nearly two decades.

The policy change takes effect immediately nationwide.

Noem said the Transportation Security Administration determined after a pilot program that current screening technology can effectively detect threats without passengers taking off their footwear.

“Shoe removal will no longer be standard procedure,” Noem said. “However, travelers may still be asked to remove their shoes if we think additional layers of screening are necessary.”

Mandatory shoe removal was instituted in 2006 in the aftermath of the failed attempt by Richard Reid—known as the “shoe bomber”—to blow up a transatlantic flight from Paris to Miami in December 2001.

Since then, passengers between the ages of 12 and 75 have been required to take off their shoes and place them in bins to be scanned along with carry-on bags. The policy has often been cited as one of the most visible security measures implemented after the 9/11 attacks and subsequent plots targeting commercial aviation.

The TSA said it will continue using explosive detection equipment and other screening tools to monitor footwear and other items as travelers pass through checkpoints.

Raging Blazes Force Marseille Airport to Shut as Residents Evacuate, Choking Smoke Billows Over French Region

admin
-
0
Raging Blazes Force Marseille Airport to Shut as Residents Evacuate, Choking Smoke Billows Over French Region

MARSEILLE, France (BN24) — Ferocious wildfires sweeping southern France have forced the closure of Marseille International Airport, as emergency crews scramble to contain the flames and evacuate residents from threatened neighborhoods.

The blaze erupted Tuesday in the area of Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille, after a vehicle caught fire. Gusts reaching up to 70 kilometers per hour fanned the flames, which by afternoon had scorched 350 hectares (860 acres), French firefighters said.

Columns of thick, acrid smoke drifted across Marseille’s skyline, blanketing the city in a choking haze. The fire was so intense it could be smelled in the city center, prompting authorities to urge residents to stay indoors.

Marseille Airport, the country’s fourth-busiest air hub, halted all takeoffs and landings shortly after midday. A spokesperson said dozens of flights were canceled and others diverted to airports in Nice, Nimes and regional destinations. Officials did not confirm when the runways might reopen.

“It’s very striking—apocalyptic even,” said Monique Baillard, who lives in Les Pennes-Mirabeau, describing flames racing over dry hillsides toward residential zones.

More than 720 firefighters and 230 firefighting vehicles were deployed to fight the advancing front, according to emergency services cited by Sky News. Reinforcements included four Canadair aircraft, four water bomber helicopters and a Dash plane specializing in aerial firefighting.

The wildfire also forced the suspension of regional train traffic. French railway operator SNCF said it halted service between Marseille and the Miramas-Aix high-speed TGV station after flames neared tracks in L’Estaque, a seaside neighborhood known for its views of the Mediterranean.

Video from thesun.co.uk

Marseille Mayor Benoit Payan warned that the situation remained critical as flames advanced northward.

“The fire that started this morning in Pennes-Mirabeau continues to spread north of Marseille,” Payan said after visiting the Marseille Firefighters Battalion command post to oversee operations.

Earlier, he took to X to urge residents in northern neighborhoods to stay off roads so emergency vehicles could pass.

The mayor of Pennes-Mirabeau said two housing estates were evacuated and firefighters had surrounded a retirement home to protect residents from approaching flames.

The inferno near Marseille was the latest in a series of destructive wildfires fueled by weeks of hot weather and strong winds across southern France.

To the west, near Narbonne, more than 1,000 firefighters battled another large blaze that ignited on a winery’s property on Monday. By Tuesday morning, that fire had consumed 2,000 hectares (4,900 acres) of trees, leaving the village of Prat-de-Cest surrounded by charred forest.

As helicopters buzzed over Marseille dropping loads of water, officials repeated calls for residents to follow instructions and avoid any unnecessary travel in affected areas.

thesun.co.uk

U.S. VP JD Vance’s Old Jeffrey Epstein Posts Come Awkwardly Back to Haunt Him

admin
-
0
U.S. VP JD Vance’s Old Jeffrey Epstein Posts Come Awkwardly Back to Haunt Him

WASHINGTON (BN24) — Vice President JD Vance is facing renewed scrutiny over his past claims about the death of Jeffrey Epstein, as a series of old social media posts resurfaced just as his own administration declared the high-profile case closed.

Epstein, a convicted sex offender, was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His connections to wealthy and influential figures, including President Donald Trump, former President Bill Clinton and tech billionaire Bill Gates, have fueled persistent conspiracy theories about a hidden “client list” and possible blackmail operations.

Vance, who was serving as a U.S. senator at the time, repeatedly called for aggressive investigation into Epstein’s death. In a 2021 post on X, he wrote, “Remember when we learned that our wealthiest and most powerful people were connected to a guy who ran a literal child sex trafficking ring? And then that guy died mysteriously in jail? And now we just don’t talk about it.”

At the time, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Director Dan Bongino publicly suggested Epstein had been murdered to protect powerful interests. Both men later reversed their position after joining Trump’s White House, saying they believed Epstein died by suicide.

Vance himself had questioned whether federal agencies were deliberately shielding Epstein’s associates. “What possible interest would the US government have in keeping Epstein’s clients secret? Oh…,” he posted on X. In another post, he criticized the media, writing, “If you’re a journalist and you’re not asking questions about this case you should be ashamed of yourself.”

On Sunday, the Justice Department announced it had concluded the investigation without uncovering evidence of the alleged incriminating client list. The agency also released 10 hours of surveillance video showing no one entering Epstein’s cell the day he died, findings that align with prior reports that he took his own life. Authorities noted the video was missing one minute of footage.

The disclosure has revived criticism from conservatives who accuse Patel and Bongino of abandoning their earlier statements. Vance has also faced backlash online for his silence since the Justice Department’s findings were published.

Attorney General Pam Bondi added to the confusion in February by stating that the “list” was “sitting on my desk right now to review.” But on Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified that Bondi was referring to case files, not a verified roster of Epstein’s alleged clients.

The episode also drew the attention of Elon Musk, who in June claimed that Trump “is in the Epstein files,” a remark that appeared to strain his relationship with the president.

During an October appearance on comedian Theo Von’s podcast, Vance again pressed for the release of any records that could shed light on Epstein’s connections. “Seriously, we need to release the Epstein list,” he said. “That is an important thing.”

Vance has not commented publicly on the Justice Department’s final report.

Huffpost

Pakistani Teen Bride in Coma After Alleged Sexual Assault by Husband, Police Say

admin
-
0
Pakistani Teen Bride in Coma After Alleged Sexual Assault by Husband, Police Say

Karachi, Pakistan (BN24) – A 19-year-old girl in Karachi, Pakistan, is fighting for her life in a coma after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by her husband just days into their marriage, Pakistani police said Monday.

The young woman, who married on June 15, was brought to Karachi’s Civil Hospital after her condition rapidly deteriorated following repeated episodes of violence, authorities said. Police arrested the suspect, identified as Ashok, after the family filed a criminal complaint under sections of Pakistan’s Penal Code that cover rape and attempted murder.

“The victim, a 19-year-old from Lyari, is now in a coma,” said Dr. Summaiya Syed, Police Surgeon Karachi. “Her examination findings are consistent with sexual violence.”

Police said the assault began shortly after the wedding. According to the complaint, the woman endured severe injuries in a series of attacks that left her unconscious. Initially, she was taken to a neighborhood hospital by her in-laws, but her worsening condition prompted doctors to transfer her to the Civil Hospital’s intensive care unit.

Senior Superintendent of Police Arif Aziz said the suspect was detained immediately after the report was filed. “This brutal sexual assault is a grave and serious offence, and the police are treating it with the utmost urgency and priority to ensure the perpetrator is held accountable,” he said in a statement.

Dr. Syed noted that similar acts of violence often go unreported. “Circumstances vary and names change, but violence remains,” she said, calling the assault part of a wider pattern of abuse that persists across Pakistan.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing as medical teams monitor the woman’s critical condition. Police pledged to pursue maximum penalties if the charges are proven, describing the case as “a priority.”

Flash Flood in New Mexico Washes Away Father and Two Children, Weather Service Says

admin
-
0
Flash Flood in New Mexico Washes Away Father and Two Children, Weather Service Says

RUISOSO, N.M. (BN24) — A father and two children were swept away by powerful floodwaters in southern New Mexico late Monday, as a flash flood emergency in the mountain village of Ruidoso escalated into a life-threatening disaster, according to the National Weather Service.

The agency reported that swift-water rescue crews were searching for the missing family after the Rio Ruidoso surged to an estimated 15 feet, overtopping its banks and tearing through residential neighborhoods. The conditions developed rapidly as torrential rain poured across burn scars left by recent wildfires, intensifying the flooding and uprooting homes along the river.

In updates posted online, the Weather Service said at least one adult and two children were trapped elsewhere and awaiting rescue, while an elderly woman remained stranded inside her home as the water rose. Video footage circulating on social media appeared to show entire houses floating away in the torrent.

“Stay away from the river! Seek higher ground NOW!” the Weather Service warned in an emergency alert.

Emergency management officials in Ruidoso urged residents to move immediately to higher ground and avoid any attempts to drive through inundated streets, emphasizing that the rapidly moving floodwaters posed extreme danger.

Ruidoso, a mountain community about three hours south of Albuquerque, has been under a flash flood warning since earlier Monday evening. Forecasters said saturated slopes and fire burn scars were funneling runoff into the river system faster than residents could evacuate.

Multiple rescue operations were underway late Monday around Gavilan Trailer Park, one of the hardest-hit areas. Officials did not immediately release details about additional casualties or the condition of those reported missing.

The National Weather Service warned that additional rounds of rain could worsen flooding overnight and maintained the emergency declaration, calling it an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation.”

Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of NYC if Zohran Mamdani Wins Mayoral Race

admin
-
0
Trump Threatens Federal Takeover of NYC if Zohran Mamdani Wins Mayoral Race

WASHINGTON (BN24) — President Donald Trump on Tuesday threatened to invoke federal authority to take over operations in New York City if Zohran Mamdani wins the mayoral election in November, calling the Democratic nominee a “communist” and warning that his leadership would fundamentally alter the city.

Speaking during a Cabinet meeting, Trump told The Post that Mamdani’s potential victory posed a threat to the city’s future and hinted at an aggressive intervention from the White House. “If a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same,” Trump said. “But we have tremendous power at the White House to run places where we have to.”

The president, who has frequently clashed with New York City leadership throughout his political career, stopped short of specifying the legal mechanism by which he might assert control over the city, but emphasized, “New York City will run properly. I’m going to bring New York back. I love New York.”

Mamdani, 33, a state assemblyman and self-described democratic socialist, clinched the Democratic nomination on June 24 in a stunning primary upset that ousted former Governor Andrew Cuomo. The surprise victory has since reshaped the dynamics of the Nov. 4 general election. Trump, referencing Mamdani’s platform, claimed the candidate aimed to “take over” private grocery businesses like those owned by billionaire John Catsimatidis.

“[Catsimatidis] actually called me the other day,” Trump said. “He’s concerned, his stores are going to be taken from him.”

Though Trump stopped short of endorsing a specific candidate in the crowded mayoral race, he dismissed Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa’s chances while offering mild praise for the embattled incumbent, Eric Adams, whose re-election bid as an independent follows a federal corruption investigation that the Trump administration later dropped.

“You have Eric Adams, you have Cuomo, and you have Curtis Sliwa? Curtis runs every four years. He seems to be a fixture on the running scale,” Trump said, before adding, “[Mamdani] is not very capable, in my opinion. He’s a disaster.”

Mamdani currently leads in general election polling with 35%, followed by Cuomo at 29%, Sliwa at 16%, and Adams at 14%, according to a new American Pulse survey. His rise has prompted both celebration and concern among progressive circles and critics of his political ideology.

Vice President JD Vance, speaking privately at a California event over the weekend, said Mamdani’s success highlighted shifting voter demographics. “If President Trump’s victory in 2024 was rooted in a broad working and middle-class coalition, Mamdani’s coalition is almost the inverse of that,” Vance said, noting the New York candidate’s strength among high-income, highly-educated voters and his relative weakness among working-class and Black voters.

Trump’s threats to intervene in local governance did not end with New York. He also signaled a possible federal takeover of Washington, D.C., saying, “We want the city to run well,” and adding that the administration was “testing” the idea of asserting direct control over the capital.

The remarks echo Trump’s earlier efforts during his first term to curtail federal funding to Democratic-led cities he deemed insufficiently responsive to crime. But the president’s latest rhetoric raises the stakes as the 2024 election cycle unfolds, especially in cities that lean heavily Democratic.

With the general election just months away, Trump’s warnings signal a willingness to use federal power in unprecedented ways to influence local political outcomes—especially in cities where his critics are gaining ground. Whether that message will resonate with voters or provoke backlash remains to be seen.

More Than 160 Still Missing in Texas as Flood Recovery Efforts Continue, Governor Says

admin
-
0
More Than 160 Still Missing in Texas as Flood Recovery Efforts Continue, Governor Says

HUNT, Texas (BN24) — More than 160 people remain unaccounted for in central Texas four days after catastrophic flash floods killed over 100 during the July Fourth weekend, Governor Greg Abbott said Tuesday, underscoring the scale of the disaster that has overwhelmed riverside communities and summer camps in the Hill Country.

Authorities say the unprecedented surge of floodwaters along the Guadalupe River swept away cabins, trailers and campsites early Friday morning as torrential rains caused the river to rise more than 26 feet in less than an hour. The disaster has left grieving families searching for loved ones and officials scrambling to recover the dead while fielding mounting questions about whether more warnings could have saved lives.

Abbott, speaking at a news conference in Hunt after a helicopter tour of devastated areas, said the number of missing climbed sharply after officials launched a hotline for families to report unaccounted-for relatives. Many of the 161 missing were staying in Kerr County but had not registered at hotels or camps, complicating efforts to track them.

“We will not stop until every missing person is accounted for,” Abbott said.

The governor added that President Donald Trump had pledged federal aid and planned to visit Texas on Friday. “He could not stop talking about how sad he was for all the little girls who have lost their lives,” Abbott said.

Officials said at least 87 bodies have been recovered in Kerr County, which is home to a cluster of popular summer camps, including Camp Mystic, the century-old girls’ camp where at least 27 campers and staff members were killed.

Five campers and one counselor remain missing. Scenes outside Mystic captured the heartbreak: mud-caked blankets and pillows lay scattered on grassy slopes near the river, amid overturned luggage adorned with colorful stickers.

Among the dead were a second grader who loved pink hair bows, a 19-year-old counselor who mentored younger girls, and the camp’s 75-year-old director.

In the days since the floods, rescue teams have searched hundreds of miles from the Hill Country to the outskirts of Austin, using heavy machinery to clear debris and combing tree lines for survivors. Some people were pulled alive from treetops where they clung for hours after the torrent hit before dawn.

But hope for finding additional survivors is fading. “Four days have passed since anyone has been found alive,” said Lt. Col. Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens.

At the same time, pressure has grown on local officials to explain how such a deadly surge could happen with little apparent warning. Residents and reporters have questioned why many camps and neighborhoods appeared to be caught off guard despite weather forecasts calling for torrential rain.

Kerr County leaders defended their response and said the focus remains on recovery, not blame. Sheriff Larry Leitha said that issuing evacuation orders isn’t “as easy as pushing a button.” County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged Kerr County does not have a warning system and said a previous grant request for nearly $1 million in federal funding was rejected years ago by FEMA.

Generations of residents have known the risks of living in what locals call “flash flood alley.” In 1987, a similar flood killed 10 teenagers when swollen creeks overtook buses evacuating a youth camp in Comfort.

While some camps did monitor conditions and moved campers to higher ground before Friday’s disaster, many people either did not receive warnings or had no time to react as water swallowed cabins and tents.

The devastation left behind has been described as one of the largest search and recovery operations in Texas history. Hundreds of volunteers have joined professional crews to sift through mud, toppled trees and mangled vehicles.

Aidan Duncan, 17, was one of the lucky ones to escape Riverside RV Park in Ingram after hearing an evacuation call over a megaphone. On Tuesday, he surveyed what was left: a mattress, sports cards, and his parakeet’s birdcage, all caked in brown sludge.

“What’s going on right now, it hurts,” Duncan said. “I literally cried so hard.”

Even elderly residents have joined cleanup efforts. Along the riverbanks, 91-year-old Charles Hanson used a broom to clear splintered wood and piles of concrete, determined to help neighbors who could not get out themselves. “We’ll make do with the best we got,” he said.

1...287288289...980Page 288 of 980