The federal government is expanding disaster relief to eight more Texas counties hit hard by recent flash floods. Governor Greg Abbott announced the move Friday as rescue teams continue searching for at least 160 missing people. The floods, triggered by heavy July 4 weekend rains, have already claimed at least 120 lives across six counties.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another weather update—it’s a critical escalation in a crisis that’s still unfolding. More counties getting federal aid means the damage is worse than initially thought, and with so many still unaccounted for, the human toll could keep rising. For affected families, this declaration could mean faster access to resources, but it’s also a grim reminder of how long recovery might take.

Vermont’s rural communities are dealing with yet another round of flash floods, as heavy rains wreaked havoc—damaging homes, cutting off roads, and leaving residents scrambling. It’s a grim reminder of how vulnerable these areas are to extreme weather.

Editor’s Note: Flash floods aren’t just inconvenient—they disrupt lives, strain emergency resources, and highlight the growing risks of climate-driven weather patterns. For Vermont, still recovering from past floods, this is another tough blow, especially for small towns where rebuilding isn’t quick or easy.

Two Texas Democrats, Reps. Greg Casar and Jasmine Crockett, are pressing FEMA and NOAA for answers about how the state prepared for—and responded to—the recent catastrophic floods in Hill Country. They’re digging into whether budget cuts to the National Weather Service and Homeland Security’s cost-saving moves under Secretary Kristi Noem weakened disaster readiness.

Editor’s Note: When disasters hit, people want to know if their government was truly ready—or if political decisions left them vulnerable. This isn’t just about paperwork; it’s about whether funding cuts and bureaucracy slowed down warnings or aid when Texans needed them most. If these agencies dropped the ball, it could fuel bigger debates about how we fund disaster prevention versus cleanup.

Kerr County officials admit they underestimated the severity of the July 4 floods, but they’d actually warned residents years ago about the risk of "monstrous and devastating flash floods." The 2016 advisory urged people to stay vigilant, yet the recent disaster still caught many off guard.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just about one bad flood—it’s a reminder that even when warnings exist, communities (and local governments) can struggle to prepare for the worst. With extreme weather becoming more common, the gap between awareness and action could leave more towns vulnerable.

Newly uncovered dispatch audio sheds light on the chaotic hours before Kerr County’s deadly July 4 flood, filling in gaps that local officials have so far refused to address. As leaders dodge questions about delayed emergency alerts, this recording could help hold them accountable—or at least clarify what went wrong.

Editor’s Note: When disasters strike, people deserve to know whether their leaders acted quickly and responsibly. This story isn’t just about a flood—it’s about transparency, trust, and whether officials prioritized public safety or dropped the ball. If the audio reveals missteps, it could fuel bigger demands for answers (or resignations).

A Texas nonprofit just announced that donors have rallied to raise $30 million in just one week to help Kerr County residents hit hard by recent floods. The foundation called it a "powerful show of support" for communities in crisis, with contributions coming from both locals and outsiders.

Editor’s Note: Floods can devastate communities overnight, leaving people scrambling for basics like shelter and clean water. This kind of rapid, large-scale fundraising isn’t just about money—it’s a signal that people are paying attention and stepping up when it matters most. For folks in Kerr County, it could mean faster rebuilding, hot meals, or just knowing they’re not alone.

President Trump and First Lady Melania are visiting flood-ravaged areas of Texas alongside Governor Greg Abbott, offering a show of federal support. Meanwhile, the State Department is cutting over 1,300 jobs—mostly civil servants and domestic foreign service officers—as part of a broader Trump administration restructuring.

Editor’s Note: The juxtaposition here is striking—while the White House focuses on disaster response optics, a major federal workforce reduction is happening behind the scenes. The layoffs signal aggressive downsizing of diplomatic operations, which could have long-term consequences for how America engages globally. For flood victims, the visit may feel reassuring, but the simultaneous job cuts remind us governance isn’t just about photo ops.

President Trump and the First Lady are traveling to Kerrville, Texas, to survey the damage from recent deadly floods and meet with local leaders and emergency crews. The visit underscores the severity of the disaster, which hit the Central Texas community hard.

Editor’s Note: When a president visits a disaster zone, it signals both solidarity and the scale of the crisis. For residents, it’s a moment of visibility—but also a reminder of the long recovery ahead. For the administration, it’s a chance to show leadership (or face scrutiny over response efforts). Either way, the human toll here is the real story.

Just when you thought the weather might give the Midwest and parts of Texas and New Mexico a break, think again. Another round of storms is rolling in this weekend, bringing heavy rain and renewed flood risks—especially for areas still recovering from last week’s severe flooding. It’s like Mother Nature hit the replay button, and no one’s thrilled about it.

Editor’s Note: For folks in these regions, this isn’t just another rainy weekend. Many communities are already dealing with flood damage, and more rain could make cleanup efforts harder—or worse, push already swollen rivers over the edge. If you’re in the path of these storms, it’s worth keeping an eye on updates and preparing for possible disruptions. Weather like this doesn’t just ruin plans; it risks lives and property.