I want to talk a little bit about the events that happened on the morning of July 4th. What the Kurville Police Department and other first responders were doing in those early morning hours. And I want to start outside of Kurville out in Hunt. Now, for those of you who went out there yesterday with the governor, you all know that Highway 39 crisscrosses the Guadalupi again and again and again. And all of those low water crossings when they flood, they create islands where you can't get in and you can't get ...

In Texas Hill Country, a community that is now mourning the deaths of at least 110 people, 30 of them children, after flash floods ravaged the region late last week. Today, 5 days after those deadly storms, Texas Governor Greg Abbott says more than 160 people are still missing in the Kirk County area alone, which saw some of the worst of that fatal flooding. But the governor vowed not to give up the search.Know this, we will not stop until every missing person is accounted for. Know this also, there very li ...

Disaster Overview - Central Texas experienced severe flooding along the Guadalupe and Lano Rivers, with water rising over 30 feet in some areas [1][2] - The catastrophic flooding affected six counties and resulted in at least 104 fatalities [6] - Camp Mystic reported 27 campers and counselors among the dead and missing [3][8] Impact and Aftermath - Extensive destruction of homes, bridges, and infrastructure was observed, with RVs flipped and cabins inundated [2][5][10] - Search and rescue teams faced challenges navigating through massive debris fields of mangled steel, tree branches, and tree trunks [4] - Many residents were caught by surprise, with some unaware of the impending danger despite flood watches being in effect [19][20] Emergency Response and Warnings - Urgent flash flood warnings were issued, but many residents were asleep or did not receive the alerts in time [22] - The Texas Lieutenant Governor is advocating for increased funding for outdoor warning sirens [21] - The National Weather Service is facing scrutiny regarding staffing shortages and the timing of warnings [23] Meteorological Factors - Unexpectedly heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 20 inches, contributed to the rapid river rise [24] - Moisture from tropical storm Barry exacerbated the situation, leading to higher humidity levels [25] - A pre-existing drought in the area caused the ground to be hard, increasing the rate of water runoff [25]

Disaster Overview - Tropical storm remnants caused catastrophic flooding in the Guadalupe River area, with the river rising over 36 feet in 4 hours [1] - The Texas Hill Country's unique geology, characterized by steep hills, thin soil, and limestone, contributes to flash flooding [8][9][10] - Floodwaters are contaminated, posing health risks, and debris piles are hazardous, complicating rescue and recovery efforts [3][13][14] Relief Efforts - Over 400 first responders are involved in search and rescue operations [3] - Federal, state, and local officials are providing assistance, including law enforcement and specialized equipment [2][14][15] - The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country is the lead fundraising entity for the emergency response [16] Funding and Resource Allocation - The Community Foundation is collecting online donations to support nonprofits involved in disaster relief [2][4] - The Kurville/Kerr County Flood Relief Fund will provide short, medium, and long-term grants to local vetted organizations [7] - Funds will address various community needs, including damage to the senior center, nature center, city park system, and community theater [6][7] Community Impact - The flood has caused widespread destruction, including snapped trees, displaced appliances and vehicles, and massive debris piles [12][13] - The recovery and rebuilding process is expected to be lengthy [4]

Core Insights - Georgia Power received the Emergency Recovery Award from the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) for its exceptional response to Hurricane Helene in 2024, which caused significant damage across the state [1][5][4] - The storm resulted in over 1,500 miles of downed power lines, 11,800 broken power poles, and 5,800 damaged transformers, marking it as the most destructive hurricane in Georgia Power's 140-year history [6][4] - Georgia Power plans to hire approximately 180 lineworkers annually over the next several years to support its growing workforce needs [8][9] Company Response to Hurricane Helene - Georgia Power's response involved over 20,000 personnel, including teams from other states and Canada, utilizing helicopters, boats, and drones for restoration efforts [5][4] - The company highlighted the dedication of its employees, particularly lineworkers, in restoring power to over one million customers affected by the hurricane [4][5] Workforce Development - Georgia Power hires around 700 positions annually and collaborates with technical colleges to recruit and train new lineworkers, with over 60% of new hires coming from Electrical Lineworker Apprentice Certification programs [8][9] - The company offers a multi-year apprenticeship program and continuing education for employees to ensure they remain competitive in the industry [8][9] Industry Recognition - The EEI commended Georgia Power for its safe and efficient response to Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the importance of the electric workforce in restoring power after natural disasters [5][11] - Georgia Power is recognized as an industry leader in customer satisfaction, serving 2.8 million customers across Georgia [10]