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Officials: At Least 51 Dead In Texas Floods; Israel: Changes By Hamas "Unacceptable"; Iran's Supreme Leader Reappears In Public; Tropical Storm Chantal Forms In the Atlantic. Aired 3-4a ET

Aired July 06, 2025 - 03:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[03:00:23]

ANNOUNCER: This is CNN breaking news.

LYNDA KINKADE, CNN ANCHOR: Hello and welcome to all of our viewers watching in the U.S. and around the world. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

At least 51 people are confirmed dead from massive flooding in Texas, and at least 15 of those are children. Officials say 27 children remain missing from Camp Mystic, a girls summer camp in Kerr County, Texas. It's one of the areas hardest hit by the flooding.

The parents of two young girls have confirmed to CNN that their daughters have died, 13-year-old Blair Harber and her 11-year-old sister, Brooke.

Other campers confirmed dead include nine-year-old Janie Hunt, who you see here, nine-year-old Lila Bonner, and Sarah Marsh.

Eight-year-old Renee Smajjstrla, seen here in this photo, her family confirmed her death to CNN. Her uncle telling us that it is truly devastating.

The destruction in the area has been widespread. Texas Governor Greg Abbott visited Camp Mystic on Saturday. He says it's horrendously ravaged. He also says emergency crews are working nonstop to save people.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

GOV. GREG ABBOTT (R), TEXAS: We will be relentless in going after and ensuring that we locate every single person who's been a victim of this flooding event. We're not going to stop today or tomorrow. We will stop when the job is completed between now and whenever that day arrives, when we -- when the job is completed. This is a 24/7 operation, day and night, because we know that we are looking for Texans and Americans and we put them as our top priority. We will find every one of them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, Camp Mystic is near the Guadalupe River, the town of Hunt, Texas. It's near Kerrville and northwest of San Antonio. Torrential rains caused the river there to rise more than 20 feet. That's over six meters in less than two hours.

CNN senior national correspondent Ed Lavandera has more on Camp Mystic and what happened there.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ED LAVANDERA, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Just beyond the Guadalupe River over there is Camp Mystic and these are the cabins where so many young people were swept away by the flood waters, 27 by last count, still missing. And at this point is every hour that has gone by, it becomes harder and harder to hope that these children can still be found alive.

But I have talked to a number of people who had children or were counselors at the camp, and they describe these cabins that you see here in the distance, this is where the younger children would stay. This is kind of where you start out, and then you graduate your way up through the ranks here as you -- as you get older.

But several people tell us that as the flood waters came up in the middle of the night, the children couldn't get out this way toward us because that's where the flood waters were coming from. The water had them pinned inside that it was the young counselors, and by young -- I mean, these are just 18, 19-year-olds who were inside the cabin with those children unable to get out, get away.

Several people tell us that a lot of those counselors were breaking windows in the back of those buildings, and then pulling kids through the windows and in their pajamas, making their way up through the hillside there to get to higher ground and to safety.

That is some of the heroic work that these young people managed to do to help save as many lives as possible. There were some 750 kids at this camp, and you can see how extensive the damage is.

First of all, just look at the ferociousness that these flood waters came through, uprooting massive trees and just decimating the river -- the riverbed here is everything was rushing downstream.

When you look at the campground here, you can see the recreation hall is still standing for the most part, but part of the wall there ripped apart. You know, all of this was under water. And that is the one thing that has been really hard to kind of describe in all of this is just the amount of water that these floods brought, where we're standing was underwater at some point, and consider how high above the river we are at this point gives you a sense that all of this was barreling downstream. People were just simply unable to get out of the way as these flood waters went up as fast as they did.

And that is why this situation has been so extremely deadly.

[03:05:02]

Ed Lavandera, CNN, near Camp Mystic, Texas.

(END VIDEOTAPE) KINKADE: Joining me now to discuss all of this is Major Phil Swyers with the Salvation Army of Kerrville, Texas.

We appreciate your time.

MAJOR PHIL SWYERS, SENIOR KROC CENTER OFFICER, THE SALVATION ARMY KERRVILLE: Thank you very much for allowing me to be here.

KINKADE: So as these search and rescue efforts continue, many families are returning to find they no longer have a home or even basic essentials like clean clothes or a hot meal. Just explain what the Salvation Army is doing right now on the ground to support those impacted.

SWYERS: Sure, the Salvation Army in Kerr County in the past has gone to other areas of Texas, even as far away as Florida, to respond to natural disasters as they occur. So for us to actually have one in our county, you know, is really a different experience for us, especially as tragic as this one.

We as a -- as we're doing our service, we actually have two employees whose house got swept away and just barely made it out. And so, we are not only serving others, but we're also taking care of our own, and it's really personal for us as well as knowing people who have lost their lives and, you know, it's a lot different when you go to serve and to help other communities. It -- you know, it is a different experience when you know people who have been affected and have lost everything.

So, for us, it really just puts it in perspective. You know, this, this community is -- it's in shock. You know, we're still hearing higher and higher numbers every day as the updates come.

And, you know, certainly no one was expecting, you know, 23 feet to come so quickly. You know, we were preparing for the Fourth of July weekend and the wonderful fireworks shows that take place in the park that's located in Kerrville. And it happened overnight. And so, it just -- people were sleeping.

And, you know, I've spoken to folks who just you could, you know, heard screaming just because they were awakened as their -- their house was moving. And so, you know, it's a lot of work, but at the same time, you know, I'm blessed I have a home to go home to tonight and, and other people don't.

And so, while it is tragic, I've also seen the greatness of Kerrville. I mean, we have over a thousand first responders that have come. We have locations that have brought us food and water and other things for us to serve. We currently, as it's shifted and where things have opened up, our operation has moved in several parts of the county.

And then today in hunt, as that area is opened up, we have locations that are serving first responders. We also have places where as people who have just lost everything are coming to us for a for a help, and we're providing that to them. As you may know, the salvation army provides spiritual emotional care,

but we also have the ability through our normal social services, to set up an operation where, you know, we can help people with the rent and the utilities and clothing, and we have shower units coming, as well as washers and dryers, so that they can have a place where they can do their laundry, but it's --

KINKADE: Yeah. I mean, this is, as you say, it hits especially hard when its happened essentially in your backyard where you live. And obviously, it's taking an emotional toll and you help people with that emotional and help and spiritual support.

Just in terms of the emotional toll on survivors, you know, how are you helping them cope in these early days?

SWYERS: Today, you know, for me, was someone that escaped out of their house, but their pet, their cat, that meant everything to him didn't make it. And, you know, you know, certainly we are grateful, you know, for yet another day of life for him to experience.

But, you know, the loss that he felt when you know, this, this pet that he's cared for so long and meant so much to him, you know, is now gone and is not replaceable, you know, were thankful for his life, but just, you know, being able to sit and share through this tragedy, you know, and, and just you have you have people who they're -- they don't even know, you know, because their kids are missing, you know, where that's going to lead.

[03:10:03]

And, certainly, we are praying for the best. And I know, you know, this isn't going to end until everyone is found. And so, you know, we just are -- we are -- we're praying and hoping. But yet, you know, as tough as this is, you know, we know that gods in control. And he's got us in the palm of his hand. And great people are stepping up to help us to serve people in this community.

KINKADE: Yeah. And it is good to see that united response. But in terms of, you know, the families who have lost their homes, can you tell us about the shelters that have been set up? How many people are you currently helping and what sort of coordination are you seeing from local authorities and government agencies?

SWYERS: We're a partner with the county. They've placed us over a void, which is, you know, sort of the coordination of the volunteer groups that are that are coming to our community so that we can, you know, have a single point of reference and be able to meet those needs as the county makes us aware.

And then in the long term -- you know, you know, the houses are gone. So, you know, we're looking towards rebuilding and then rent and utilities, people escape with just the clothes on their back. So, you know, we've opened up, you know, our stores and to allow people just to have things that they can wear tomorrow. And it comes from generous people who make that possible. And, you know, it's -- you know, for us, it's just a wonderful

ministry to see so many people come together in a time so tragic just trying to make someone who's gone through the unspeakable have such a better day. And while it's tragic and while it's personal for us with, you know, our own employees who have lost everything, it just gives you confidence and hope and, and the people that have come together to make this bearable.

KINKADE: Yeah. And you -- and your colleagues are offering so much support and care for those around you. How are you coping? How are you and your colleagues handling this, given it's so personal for you?

SWYERS: It's long days, you know? But like I said, I have a home to go home to, you know, so that can, you know, in comparison, you know, it helps to, you know, make sure that you can do all that you can do for those that don't. And, you know, it's one of those things where, you know, when we have people who are coming alongside us to do that, trying just to make a difference and make tomorrow better for someone who's lost so much, you know, it's -- it is personal because it is home. But at the same time, there's just -- there's just so much good that is coming out of this in our county.

KINKADE: Yeah. Well, we're all behind you. And we are thinking of you all and hope you hang in there and appreciate all the work you're doing. Thanks so much. Major Phil Swyers, appreciate it.

SWYERS: God bless you.

KINKADE: You, too.

With rescue efforts still underway, local officials are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast over Texas. Meteorologist Chris Warren has been tracking the storm system and brings us the latest on what to expect in the days ahead.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

CHRIS WARREN, METEOROLOGIST: This whole disaster unfolding in a matter of hours during the overnight Friday into Friday morning. So Thursday night into Friday morning with areas receiving more than a foot of rain. But widespread over several counties in this orange and red color here, which is 4 to 6, even 6 to 10 inches of rain.

This is how it played out on radar from overnight Friday to 5:30 in the morning. Here's Kerrville and Kerr County right here getting so much rain it just continued throughout the mid-morning and into the early afternoon. So, several hours of nonstop and occasionally intense rain leading to serious fast flooding here along the Guadalupe River in Kerrville.

Most of the week, the water level was under a foot, 0.7, and then in a matter of hours, it goes up a little bit to three feet and then jumps to two stories high, or about 23.4 feet. So it's about two stories high, just so quickly.

That's something you just do not see very often at all. It's hard to imagine that happening. That wave of water.

Meanwhile, flash flood warnings were being issued between midnight and noon 24. More than 24, more than two dozen issued by the National Weather Service. Highest level flash flood emergencies. And that was some through here near Kerrville as well.

Here's the high-resolution future radar through time. More rain is expected some overnight, but really going to pick up tomorrow morning into the afternoon and evening hours, not seeing some of the heaviest storms right over Kerr County.

[03:15:05]

However, with the high-resolution future radar, you have to give a little bit of wiggle room here. It could drift a little bit farther to the south. So, just a big heads-up there for the search efforts ongoing there as well.

So, the forecast rainfall, the amount that were expecting generally about 2 to 4 inches in the highest amounts, nothing compared to what we saw the past couple of days.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Thanks to Chris Warren.

Well, we are following all the developing stories. Still ahead, Israel is sending negotiators to ceasefire in hostage talks with Hamas, but witnessing death remains a way of life in Gaza, despite the prospect of a truce.

Plus, details of what Iran's state media says is the supreme leader's first public appearance since the start of the Israel conflict.

You're watching CNN.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

Israel says its negotiators will be headed to Qatar Sunday for a new round of ceasefire talks with Hamas, the militant group said to have responded positively to the U.S. truce proposal on Friday. But it also requested some changes, which Israel says is a nonstarter.

[03:20:00]

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Monday.

One observer says the meeting will largely be a victory lap.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DAVID SANGER, CNN POLITICAL AND NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Netanyahu has not listened to President Trump very much. He owes President Trump a huge one here for having come in on Israel's side and taken that military action in Iran. The last time that Netanyahu was in Washington, it was to push the president to do that. And he got a fair back -- a fair bit of push back.

But that said, I think what Netanyahu has learned is there's not much of a price to be paid for defying the president on this issue, that President Trump is not willing to issue any kind of sanction or cost to Israel for holding back and waiting for the total defeat of Hamas. And he's not pressuring them, particularly on how they're delivering food and so forth.

So, my guess is that this will mostly be a celebration of the victory in the in the conflict with Iran, a victory that might be a temporary one if Iran reconstitutes its nuclear program.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, despite the prospects of a truce, officials in Gaza say more than 50 people were killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire on Saturday, and two U.S. aid workers were injured after someone threw grenades during food distribution. With the United Nations says 90,000 women and children in Gaza need urgent medical treatment because of malnutrition, and almost 1 in 3 people in the enclave go without food for days.

Well, for more, were joined by Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, a deputy medical coordinator for doctors without borders. He's in Khan Younis, in southern Gaza.

We appreciate your time, Doctor. Thanks for joining us.

So you're on the ground in Khan Younis, where hundreds of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli airstrikes in recent days.

From your perspective as a medical coordinator, how would you describe the situation in Gaza right now, both medically and more broadly?

DR. MOHAMMED ABU MUGHAISIB, DEPUTY MEDICAL COORDINATOR IN GAZA, DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS: I mean, as you mentioned, I mean, it's not only people who are killed with airstrikes. Now, with the new distribution points that has been issued. I mean, here in the southern Gaza, there is as well, hundreds of people who are killed and injured every day. So it's another burden on the number of injuries and burden on the hospitals which are remaining and working in the -- in the Gaza Strip.

The situation is really catastrophic. I mean, we will continue saying it's catastrophic, but I will more concentrate on the health system. I mean, we were saying that the health system is collapsing and its collapsed health system. But for me now, the health system is already there is no existing health system. The health system is working on a daily basis -- to function on a daily basis.

I mean, every day the hospital which are remaining, either they are under evacuation order by the Israeli army or they are targeted beside -- I mean, collateral damage and the access is difficult. There is no beds, there is no supplies, as you mentioned, entering since March. I mean, the situation is dramatically -- people are standing in queues for water. I mean, and I mean, we are in 2025 and you see people in the camps standing just to collect drinkable water in huge queues and hundreds.

So, the situation really is if that ceasefire doesn't stop. I think it's -- we are going to the wars.

KINKADE: Yeah. And I want to ask you about that ceasefire because, you know, Israel and Hamas might be edging towards that. The U.S. president has expressed optimism. But from where you are, what is the general mood? Are people hopeful or has that hope failed after so many failed efforts?

ABU MUGHAISIB: As you mentioned, I mean, it's many times it has been discussed the ceasefire, and it didn't work very well. I mean, hope is really a fragile word here in Gaza. People lost hope. I mean, they were -- they were expecting several times the ceasefire in different occasions in Christmas, in Ramadan and Eid, after Ramadan, two different occasions had failed.

So, people really lost hope here and they are just really living a day. I mean, they are, they will be hopefully if they live the day to day. So no, there is no hope at all.

KINKADE: And you yourself was forced to flee Gaza city last year. And like most people in Gaza, you've been displaced multiple times.

Can you speak to what that repeated displacement has meant for civilians physically, medically, emotionally?

ABU MUGHAISIB: I mean, it breaks you down. I mean, it totally breaks you down when you have an evacuation order. I mean, personally, I more than ten times I have been evacuated -- I mean, several displacement areas because, I mean, you just try to take whatever you can from your house and then you move to another place and you settle, and then you have to move again and again and again.

[03:25:08]

I mean, it's tiring, it's exhausting. And mentally, I cannot describe it. I mean, for the population, especially people who have big family, children, I mean, it's really difficult for many woman, the children, the elderly, it's horrible. And I cannot really describe how people are living these (AUDIO GAP) after several attempts of evacuation and displacement.

KINKADE: I think we're having a couple of technical difficulties right now, but it's been really good to get your perspective.

Dr. Abu -- Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, thanks so much for your time. We wish you all the best. Thank you.

Well, Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has made his first public appearance since the start of the conflict with Israel. Iranian state media broadcast Ali Khamenei attending a religious gathering in the capital Tehran on Saturday. Worshipers who were there observing Ashura, the holiest day of the Shiite Muslim calendar, stood and cheered the supreme leader as he entered the hall. Khamenei has reportedly been in a, quote, secure location at the onset of the airstrikes with Israel.

Well, turning now to Russia's war against Ukraine, Kyiv says it struck an air base inside Russia that houses fighter jets and glide bombs. Saturday's counterattack comes in the midst of Russia's escalating bombardment of Ukraine.

On Friday, Kyiv endured the biggest attack since the start of the war over three years ago. Moscow launched a record number of drones and nearly a dozen cruise and ballistic missiles towards the Ukrainian capital. The U.N. secretary general condemned the attack Saturday and once again called for a quote, full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

When we return our breaking news coverage in Texas continues, how the Trump administration is responding to the deadly flash floods.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[03:30:30]

KINKADE: Welcome back. I'm Lynda Kinkade.

Let's take a look at today's top stories.

Israel is sending its negotiators to Qatar on Sunday for new ceasefire in hostage talks with Hamas, but Israeli officials say the changes to the U.S. ceasefire plan requested by Hamas are not acceptable. Palestinians say more than 50 people were killed in new strikes on Gaza on Saturday.

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, made his first public appearance since the start of the conflict with Israel. That's according to Iran's state media, which showed how many attending a religious gathering in Tehran on Saturday.

Communities devastated by catastrophic floods in central Texas are bracing for the possibility of even more rain. At least 51 people have died, including 15 children. Officials say they are still searching for more than two dozen children missing from a girls summer camp near the Guadalupe River.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NICK SORTOR, UNITED CAJUN NAVY: This current was so strong, it picked up concrete and just ripped it and shoved it down the river. So obviously launching boats at some of these -- some of these areas is almost impossible. You know, I could sit here all day and name the conditions that are making this more and more difficult for rescuers. And time is precious right now, especially when we're talking about the amount of missing children, these young girls who see these pictures, and it's horrifying.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: That's a member of the United Cajun Navy, a volunteer rescue group from Louisiana that's helping with rescue efforts. The Kerrville city manager says search and rescue operations remain the top priority. At least 27 children are reported missing from Camp Mystic, a private Christian summer camp for girls.

Drone video out of San Angelo, Texas shows trees, homes and cars submerged in the floodwaters. A local store owner says he's never seen anything like this.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FRANK, HUNT, TEXAS RESIDENT: This very well may be the worst flood hunt has ever seen, because it would have started back up the South Fork. The devastation is unbelievable. How these kids survived in any of these camps along the river is nothing short of a miracle.

But I did. I grew up with this store. I've known -- I've -- like I said, I've danced here. I've been here. Sat by the fireplace in a rocking chair and drank a beer.

The devastation -- there's just no words, Taylor, that I can -- that I can say that that describe what I'm seeing. My ranch -- it was completely underwater. The water got that high. Just -- just unbelievable.

(END VIDOE CLIP)

KINKADE: The Trump administration says it will honor a federal disaster declaration signed by the Texas governor to help direct relief to the state.

CNN senior White House reporter Betsy Klein has more on the federal response to the disaster.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE REPORTER: Well, local officials are expecting that this is going to be a marathon of search and rescue and search and recovery efforts, and it is going to take the close coordination of state, local and federal governments together to get that done.

So, here's what we know so far about the federal response. The U.S. Coast Guard is helping with those rescues. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem says that she has requested additional fixed wing aircraft with thermal imaging. That is something that is going to help in the overnight hours as it gets dark and they continue to search and rescue.

Separately, FEMA is engaged, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Noem says that Border Patrol agents are stepping up. They've been tapped in with certain expertise and skills that they can use to help in this situation.

But so far, state and local officials say that they are getting what they need from the federal government. Texas Governor Greg Abbott says that he has submitted a federal disaster declaration request to the White House. It is awaiting President Trump's signature at this time.

But President Trump has spoken with Secretary Noem several times today. Noem was expected to visit Camp Mystic, where dozens of girls remain missing.

[03:35:00]

But we still don't know the extent of the federal resources that are going to be needed here, whether Congress is going to have to step up with additional aid.

But there are two other things to keep track of as we continue to track the federal response here. Number one is that President Trump has been sharply critical of FEMA and says he plans to phase out that agency by the end of the next hurricane season. That is something we'll be watching closely for how the federal government coordinates with the state of Texas here.

And separately, the president's fiscal year 2026 budget has steep cuts to some of these weather research labs that are vital to improving forecasts. These are the tools that can help detect these types of storms better. They are currently experiencing cuts.

DOGE also has cut hundreds of staffers at NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as the National Weather Service.

But Secretary Noem was really pressed on some of the alerts at the National Weather Service. Here's how she defended the Trump administration:

KRISTI NOEM, DHS SECRETARY: That is something and one of the reasons that when President Trump took office that he said he wanted to fix and is currently upgrading the technology. And the National Weather Service has indicated that with that and NOAA, that we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years. But I do carry your concerns back to the federal government, to President Trump, and we will do all we can to fix those kinds of things that that may have felt like a failure to you.

KLEIN: Of course, this storm was truly unpredictable. The water rose so fast. It was really unprecedented.

We also have a little bit of good news, and that is that Congressman August Pfluger, who represents Texas Hill Country in Congress, says that he and his wife have been reunited with two of their daughters who were campers at Camp Mystic. He said, "Please join us as we pray for miracles."

Betsy Klein, CNN, traveling with the president in New Jersey. (END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: The crucial part in the disaster response, like in Texas, is normally steered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, known as FEMA. However, President Trump has said that he wants to dismantle FEMA after the coming hurricane season and instead let states take the lead with the disaster response.

Some officials in the U.S. say they already can't get a response on what the current funding at FEMA is.

A short time ago, I spoke with Kristina Dahl. She's the vice president for science at Climate Central. I asked her to explain how early warning systems in Texas could fail in such a catastrophic way.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KRISTINA DAHL, VICE PRESIDENT FOR SCIENCE AT CLIMATE CENTRAL: First and foremost, I want to express my heartfelt sympathy with everyone who's suffering through this tragedy right now. It's unprecedented and unbelievable.

We do know that as our climate warms, the atmosphere can hold more moisture, which makes it more likely to experience extreme rains like this that are occurring in these short periods of time. So, we have a National Weather Service office that covers every part of the country that issued in this case, a general warning to the region that there was the risk of flash flood.

Now, over the course of about 12 hours, they issued subsequent warnings pinpointing the dangers more specifically, geographically and really highlighting the danger of the situation.

But those warnings largely happened at night because the disaster was unfolding at night. And it's clear that those many, many people did not see those warnings, did not have any chance to respond to them to get to safety before the waters rose, because they were rising so, so quickly. And so obviously, there's a need to investigate what happened and where that communications breakdown happened.

But to be clear, the National Weather Service did its job in warning first to a large area to say there is flood risk in this area. And then over time, as the risk became clearer and clearer, they kind of refined those warnings and issued updates.

But obviously, the loss of life here really indicates how unprepared we are as a nation for disasters of this scale, let alone the scale of disasters that's to come with continued warming of our planet.

KINKADE: Yeah. I want to ask you more about that, because this event in particular has been described as a 1-in-100-year flood. Yet extreme weather events are happening with increased frequency. How is climate change, particularly the warmer air holding more moisture, as you mentioned, shaping the intensity and the frequency of flash floods in Texas and across the U.S. DAHL: Yeah, well, in this part of Texas since 1970, we've seen about

a 20 percent increase in the amount of rain falling in the heaviest events. And so that's mirroring a trend that were seeing across the U.S. and in many parts of the world in which our warming climate is leading to more rain falling in these extreme events.

[03:40:03]

And so, that increases the risk of flash flooding like this in many, many parts of the world. And in this case, too, we also know that a lot of the moisture for the storm was coming from the Gulf of Mexico, where sea surface temperatures are running above normal by a couple of degrees. And so that is causing this very warm, wet system of air that enables a devastating amount of rain to fall in central Texas.

KINKADE: And, of course, this year, as you know, both the National Weather Service and FEMA faced major staffing and funding cuts. Some reports suggesting up to 20 percent. How might these reductions have affected the response to this disaster, or at least the ability to prepare for it?

DAHL: Yeah, I think it's too early to say. We do know that the National Weather Service issued multiple warnings about flood risk, and so clearly, they were getting messages out. They do have a vacancy right now in a critical position called the warning coordination meteorologist. And so it could be that that vacancy had, you know, connections to local authorities who could have helped to raise the early warnings for residents.

But generally, weather forecast office for the National Weather Service has someone on staff 24 hours watching the radar to see what is happening in terms of precipitation, rainfall, other threats. And there are National Weather Service offices throughout the country that, because of staffing cuts, are no longer staffing their offices 24 hours a day.

And so, we need these critical people to be keeping us safe 24 hours a day in every one of these offices across the country. And the second piece of this is that staffing cuts at NOAA or the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration more broadly, are threatening the future ability to forecast events better, forecasting a storm like this one. Where exactly is the heaviest rain going to fall? How is it going to translate from rain into flooding?

These are extremely challenging problems, scientifically, and it's the research of NOAA that enables us to improve our forecasts year over year so that we can more accurately pinpoint the warnings that need to go out to the public.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KINKADE: Well, still to come, we'll bring you the latest on the tragedy in Texas. Dozens killed by the flash floods, dozens more missing.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) [03:45:54]

KINKADE: Now back to our breaking news out of central Texas, where at least 51 people have been killed due to catastrophic flash flooding. Search and rescue missions are ongoing. Dozens of people are still missing, including 27 children from a private girls summer camp in Kerrville, Texas.

The camp is located along the Guadalupe River, which rose more than 20 feet in less than two hours on Friday. The Kerrville city manager says they've been evacuating hundreds of people from other campsites by the river.

Well, Patty Santos, a reporter for CNN affiliate KSAT, takes a look at the destruction along the river.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PATTY SANTOS, KSAT REPORTER: Here is where we are right now. This is the Guadalupe River, and we're standing here to show you that the road here is still closed. Right on the other side, there used to be lodges. They are now gone.

But also, take a look at these trees. All of this area was covered in trees. Take a look at how high the trees are. We could see some of that debris all the way up to those trees. And I've gotten a chance to talk to some of the people that live here that tell me this entire landscape looks very different than what it did just a few days ago.

We have seen a lot of people walking this area here by foot, and also some search and rescue crews with other just kind of taking a look here to see what they're seeing. We're seeing a lot of crews making their way up north with boats, with K9s, with other equipment. As the search continues and as the cleanup continues just north of here in at that camp, at Mystic Camp.

And so, this is the scene that we're seeing right now. It is just devastation, catastrophic. Those are the words that are being used by people who live here, who used to see this river very differently. And what they're seeing it now.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Our thanks to Patty Santos with our affiliate KSAT for that report.

And if you'd like to help those affected by the Texas flooding, go to CNN.com/impact. There, you can find resources for donations and will be connected to charities that are on the ground in Texas and have been vetted. That's all at CNN Impact Your World.

Well, the Independence Day holiday was hardly a time to celebrate for some immigrant communities in the U.S. Still ahead, some migrants, including U.S. citizens, skipped the celebrations due to fear of immigration rates.

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[03:52:10]

KINKADE: Welcome back.

Among the victims of the deadly flooding in Texas was high school soccer coach Reece Zunker and his wife, Paula. We've got some photos that she posted on social media. Zunker was the head coach for the boys soccer team at Tivy High school in Kerrville, Texas. The team posted on social media that it is mourning the loss of our leader and inspiration. The couple's two children are missing.

The number of Texas professional sports teams is speaking out on the devastating floods. The NBA's Dallas Mavericks released a statement on social media saying, in part, that they're sending their love and strength and unwavering support to the first responders.

The football team, Houston Texans, posted on X that they are committing half a million dollars to provide support and resources to those impacted by the deadly floods.

The San Antonio Spurs shared this message saying, quote, our hearts are especially heavy for the children and their families whose lives have been forever changed.

Well, there is another weather situation we're currently tracking. It's named Tropical Storm Chantal. The National Hurricane Center says it is picking up strength, and it's close to making landfall along the coast of South Carolina.

Strong winds and rain are expected to impact North Carolina. Flash flooding could occur in some areas. Beaches also are expecting dangerous surf conditions and rip currents, and rain is expected to spread to the mid-Atlantic into the early part of the week. Chantal is the third named storm of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season.

Well, in a move that some at -- some attorneys are calling unprecedented, eight migrants who were held at this U.S. military base in Djibouti have been deported to South Sudan. That's despite warnings that they could be arbitrarily detained, tortured or killed in the war-torn country. The Trump administration has been working to send some migrants to countries that are often far from safe. Well, now many immigrants and some U.S. citizens are afraid to even go out in public places.

And it's leading to the cancellation -- cancellation -- canceling of events in cities like Huntington Park, California.

Julia Vargas Jones is there and filed this report.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JULIA VARGAS JONES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It wasn't just the Fourth of July celebrations the mayor said they had to postpone now indefinitely a drone show planned for Friday night. A whole series of events that were going to take place throughout the summer were canceled, like movie nights, concerts, a community fair, all of this because, according to the Huntington Park mayor, the community is just too fearful to gather outside and to celebrate, they say, even those who are U.S. citizens in this community feel they could get caught up in ICE raids and immigration enforcement raids that have been going on since mid-June and haven't really stopped.

[03:55:06]

Just two weeks ago, June 28th, a door was blown out of a residence in Huntington Park as ICE was looking for a man who was accused of damaging a border patrol vehicle. It is also here in Huntington Park that Secretary Kristi Noem attended a raid with ICE as she embedded with ICE and attended a raid here in Huntington Park.

Now, the mayor says that this has deeply changed. The community has made people fearful in a way that he wasn't expecting and had never seen before. Take a listen.

ARTURO FLORES, HUNTINGTON PARK MAYOR: Let me just clarify, you know, Huntington Park does have a community that is, you know, of, you know, undocumented individuals. But you have to understand the fear that's being gripped here, it's not only, you know, by individuals that are undocumented.

You know, we would have movie nights, we'd have 200 or 300 families. Majority of them were -- you know, are American citizens. And that's the families that are fearful. Those are the ones that are not participating, they would rather not come out and not even risk a run in, even if they're U.S. born citizens.

VARGAS JONES: Are they right to not show up? Is there an actual threat to the people who live in your community?

FLORES: I think -- I think they are, rightfully so.

VARGAS JONES: Now the city is taking action. They are launching a legal defense fund and also a fund to help those people who can't or feel too fearful to go get their own food, their own groceries. He is also calling for an investigation into that one raid that Secretary Noem participated in.

Julia Vargas Jones, CNN, Huntington Park, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

KINKADE: Well, the big celebration in India for the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday. Thousands of well-wishers gathered on Sunday to honor the spiritual leader and Nobel Peace laureate. In his birthday message on the platform X, the Dalai Lama spoke about achieving peace of mind through cultivating a good heart and by being compassionate.

Actor Richard Gere was on hand for the festivities. He's a longtime supporter, and he spoke at the event honoring the life and work of the Dalai Lama.

Thanks so much for joining us. I'm Lynda Kinkade. Please stay with CNN. Another hour of CNN NEWSROOM is just ahead with

Kim Brunhuber.