Catastrophic flooding in central Texas on Friday caused severe damage as the Guadalupe River surged 20 to 26 feet, with the death toll reaching 79 by Sunday afternoon across six counties. Kerr County reported the majority of fatalities, including 28 children, while 11 minors remained missing from Camp Mystic. Amid ongoing search and recovery efforts, the National Weather Service extended flood watches for much of south-central Texas due to continued rain. President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County, facilitating access to necessary resources for first responders.
The adequacy of warnings has come under scrutiny, with critics attributing recent cuts by the Trump administration to hampered warning capabilities. A White House spokesperson dismissed such accusations as lies targeting political adversaries, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced questions on the government’s warning effectiveness.
In unrelated news, President Trump also signed into law a sweeping tax cut and spending bill, dubbed the “big, beautiful bill,” during an Independence Day ceremony attended by Republican lawmakers. The political landscape continues to shift as GOP Senator Thom Tillis announced his unexpected retirement, impacting the competitive Senate races ahead of the midterm elections.
In the realm of entertainment, Ozzy Osbourne showcased a defiant performance at a major concert despite health challenges, while the British band Oasis reunited for a show after a long hiatus.
Lastly, rising tariffs are projected to increase home construction costs significantly, with experts indicating builders face uncertainty in pricing due to fluctuating material costs. The travel landscape is also affected, as a weaker dollar complicates costs for Americans traveling to Europe amidst economic concerns.
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