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Search Efforts Ongoing as Texas Flood Death Toll Rises to 105; Israeli Talks Progressing but Hurdles Remain; Interview with Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Making Deals with Hamas; Trump Announces New Defensive Weapons Shipment to Ukraine; French President Emmanuel Macron on State Visit to U.K.; Some Texas Flood Survivors Said They Received No Alerts before Deluge; Interview with Director and Producer of "F1 The Movie". Aired 10-11a ET
Aired July 08, 2025 - 10:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (voice-over): Live from CNN Abu Dhabi, this is CONNECT THE WORLD with Becky Anderson.
BECKY ANDERSON, CNN HOST (voice-over): Welcome to what is the second hour of CONNECT THE WORLD from our Middle East programming headquarters. I'm
Becky Anderson. Time here in Abu Dhabi is just after 6 pm.
The death toll in Texas continues to rise as search and rescue efforts continue there.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in Washington as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to continue ceasefire efforts in Qatar.
President Trump announcing new tariffs on more of the U.S.' trading partners, with some rates as high as 40 percent.
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ANDERSON: Well, the death toll is mounting from what have been these catastrophic floods that swept through the state of Texas. We now know at
least 105 people have died. And that toll ticking up as emergency crews pick through what is massive debris, looking for the 23 people who are
still unaccounted for.
Hopes are fading and the work is increasingly grim. But the danger of new flooding, at least, has diminished as drier weather moves in.
One of the most heartbreaking scenes of loss in this disaster has been Camp Mystic, which is an all-girls Christian camp, where at least 27 campers and
counselors lost their lives. More details are emerging about the hours before the flood struck and an apparent lack of communication.
CNN's Pamela Brown is following that from Kerrville in Texas.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
PAMELA BROWN, CNN HOST AND CORRESPONDENT: We're learning more about what happened in those hours following that deadly flooding at Camp Mystic and
that the fact that some counselors and campers didn't even know the reality of what had happened in those overnight hours until around lunchtime.
Because those counselors didn't even have a phone with them in the cabin. They weren't allowed to have a phone unless they were in their off hours.
The public alert system was offline because there was no power. And there is no signal system here in Kerrville if there is flooding.
So while some counselors on the sprawling campus, more than 700 acres, had to jump into action in those early morning hours and really showed heroism,
saving their campers, others were -- didn't have any idea until hours later. Here's what one counselor told our Anderson Cooper.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
CAROLINE CUTRONA, CAMP MYSTIC COUNSELOR: Throughout the day, slowly kind of figured every little bit of information I continue to get, I continue to
think it was more and more severe.
When everyone had finished lunch, the director of Cypress Lake came by to the girls and the counselors that were at my cabin. And she said she pulled
all the counselors out and informed us that 27 girls were unaccounted for and that Dick Eastland was missing, too. And that's when we found out.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
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ANDERSON: At last report, 10 campers and one counselor were still missing from Camp Mystic. Stay with CNN for the very latest on the search efforts
in Texas. We are expecting updates from local and state officials in the coming hours and we'll bring you that just as it happens, of course.
New reporting into CNN. We're learning the mediators in Qatar are working to create a framework for formal talks between Israel and Hamas. Foreign
ministry spokesperson Majid al Ansari tells CNN that the framework preludes the start of negotiations.
He says, "We are attempting to provide the talks with a better chance to succeed through having a framework where both sides come together on the
principles of a possible agreement."
As those talks continue in Qatar, emergency responders and local hospitals report more than 40 people killed by Israeli airstrikes today on the ground
in Gaza. CNN Jerusalem correspondent Jeremy Diamond back with us this hour.
Jeremy, that's the perspective from the Qataris, who, of course, are taking a lead in mediating this on the ground in Doha.
What are you hearing there about prospects at this point?
JEREMY DIAMOND, CNN JERUSALEM CORRESPONDENT: Well, an Israeli official I spoke to today, Becky, described progress being made in these negotiations
over the course of the last three days, since Israel sent a delegation to Doha to begin those proximity talks with Hamas officials.
Basically a messenger kind of going between rooms where the Israeli delegation is and the Hamas delegation is.
[10:05:04]
But despite that, you know, kind of early progress that we are seeing over the last few days, there are still significant gaps that remain. I'm told
that the biggest progress that has been made is on this issue of humanitarian aid getting into Gaza.
There have been some disagreements as the Israelis tried to maintain this controversial U.S.-and-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation as the
primary mechanism for distributing the aid and Hamas insisting on the U.N. channels bringing in the aid.
And that seems to be where things are indeed landing. But there are still major sticking points. And primary among them, I'm told, is this issue of
Israeli withdrawal during -- over the course of the 60-day ceasefire.
You know, this kind of initial proposal that the United States put on the table, which Israel had agreed to, talked about Israel withdrawing back to
the March 2d lines but with some wiggle room there that needs to be defined.
And the Israelis, I'm told, are insisting still on maintaining Israeli troop presence along the Philadelphi corridor and also some troops along
the Morag access, which separates the cities of Rafah and Khan Yunis.
And so the lines to which Israeli troops will have to withdraw, the timetable for when various withdrawals will have to happen are indeed the
subject of some of those contentious negotiations happening at this moment.
And so it's so important to underscore that, even as we heard president Trump last night, sitting down with Israeli prime minister, saying that he
believes the deal can happen by the end of this week, Steve Witkoff, the special envoy set to travel to Doha to try and get this deal across the
finish line.
We should note that there is no guarantee of success. And while there is significant momentum, there is significant optimism from various parties
who I've been speaking to and our colleagues have been speaking to, there is, you know, no deal until a deal is actually finalized.
And that's just important to underscore as the hopes of so many are riding on the possibility of the ceasefire from people in Gaza, who are still
struggling to get enough food to be able to survive; to the families of the 50 hostages, who have been waiting now for more than 21 months for their
loved ones to return, Becky.
Yes. Jeremy, thank you. And that is you up to date on what we understand to be going on then after multiple attempts at a deal over the months.
Today, well, it can feel like Groundhog Day, can't it?
But those suffering the most as a result of this war are holding out hope, as Jeremy says. Let's get the perspective now from former Israeli prime
minister Ehud Olmert. He joins us live from Tel Aviv.
It's good to have you, sir. Thank you. You've said that Donald Trump can help achieve a deal. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is headed to Doha
this week.
Are you confident that Trump will get a ceasefire deal this week and that any ceasefire will be a lasting one?
EHUD OLMERT, FORMER ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: No, I certainly am not confident. I'm confident that if president Trump wants to force prime
minister Netanyahu to accept the only possible deal, he can do it.
And the only possible deal is very simple: to be very open. The Hamas will not make a deal unless they will have a guarantee that the war is over. And
they will then probably release all the hostages. And there will be a release of Palestinian prisoners, part of an agreement. And it will go from
there.
Israel doesn't want to end the war. So there is not a meeting point between these two opposing positions. And I don't trust very much the process going
on now in Qatar. I'm sure that all the parties involved are making a certain effort to reach an agreement.
But finally, it really depends on the president. If the president will decide to use his authority and to exercise it in a very explicit manner,
saying to Netanyahu just, the end has come and you have to stop the war now so that the hostages will be released and the ceasefire agreement will be
achieved.
If he will decide to do it, I am almost certain that he can do it.
ANDERSON: That's interesting. And it you know, we are not party to those private conversations at this point. But certainly it seems as if the
pressure is there from the White House. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is insisting on an end to these ceasefire talks.
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Following the deaths and injuries of Israeli soldiers in Gaza over the past 24 hours or so.
We know the far right coalition is vehemently opposed to any deal. They want to see the complete decimation of Hamas and continued occupation of
Gaza. And they've threatened to collapse the Netanyahu government in the past.
How will the far right factor into negotiations this time around?
You've talked about ultimately this being in the hands of Donald Trump. There is also the pressure on Netanyahu; of course, the counter pressure
from the far right coalition.
What is your sense of how they factor in this time?
OLMERT: Yes, the presentation you made makes it almost inevitable to say that there is now a competition between president Trump and minister Ben-
Gvir, who will have the ultimate power to force Netanyahu to take his line.
Ben-Gvir or president Trump?
I know it sounds a little bit ridiculous and somewhat childish maybe that we make this kind of presentation or confrontation. But this is it.
Netanyahu is captive of these right-wing, messianic, extremist, fundamentalist, terrorist groups that are now controlling his government.
And there were many Israelis, including the most prominent former Israeli soldiers, warriors, commanders of the Israeli army, Mossad, Secret Service,
all of the great generals that keep saying, there is no objective to a military operation at this point, after 21 months of fighting in Gaza, that
is worth the cost.
Five Israeli soldiers were killed yesterday. The life of the hostages are uncertain. We don't know whether they will survive this process. And also
there are many Palestinians not involved, which are killed as part of this process, without any objective that's worth the cost.
So there is one line of pressure coming from the political factions in the cabinet, who which really want to deport all of the Gazans and -- in order
to clean Gaza for the eventual resettlement of Israelis.
And it seems that, at this point, the prime minister is entirely dependent on them to the degree that he is doing what they want.
And that many Israelis, many, many, many Israelis condemn the prime minister for waging a war which is in the purpose or in the service of his
political interests, rather than a real national security interest of the State of Israel. On the other hand, there is the voice of reason about
those responsibility.
(CROSSTALK)
ANDERSON: Can I just stop you there?
Can I just stop -- yes. Let me just stop you there for one moment, sir. Yes. Let me stop you there because I'm really interested in these political
aspirations.
Is there a world in which Benjamin Netanyahu gets this deal done under pressure from Donald Trump, if that's what we agree is the issue here?
Gets this deal done for a 60-day pause to fighting, calls for snap elections, builds a new coalition of centrists, doesn't need the far right
in a coalition and goes and wins that election, is that realistic?
And is that a government that you would support?
OLMERT: Well, of course, it depends on what will be the specific makeup of this government.
But I think, I assess, you know, no one should talk with complete certainty.
But I think that if Netanyahu will now accept the advice of president Trump and will make an agreement, will end the war and will embark on a
meaningful process of negotiations with the Palestinians toward a two-state solution for a comprehensive political solution of this historic conflict
and will then go to elections.
I think there is a likelihood that he will end up with an impressive support from the Israeli constituents.
So the question is, what is Netanyahu after?
Is he after a greater Israel?
Is he after deporting the Gazans?
Is he after continuing the war?
Is he after losing the hostages?
Is he after maybe causing the deaths of many non-involved Palestinians?
[10:15:00]
Is he after of expelling the West Bankers, the Palestinians West Bankers in order to allow the settlement movement of Ben-Gvir and Smotrich to settle
more and more in the West Bank?
Or is he after peace?
If he is after peace, he should listen to president Trump, because I believe that president Trump wants peace. You know, I heard that Netanyahu
prepared a wonderful gift to president Trump and he recommended him to be awarded a Nobel Peace Prize.
I think that if Trump will indeed force his opinion on Netanyahu, he will certainly deserve a peace prize.
Question is whether, when Netanyahu recommends to the Nobel peace committee someone for the Nobel prize for peace, is this a recommendation that will
help him?
Or perhaps he will do the opposite.
ANDERSON: I want you to have a listen, then, to what Benjamin Netanyahu said in D.C. yesterday when asked about a future Palestinian state. Have a
listen.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, PRIME MINISTER OF ISRAEL: We'll work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbors, those who don't want to destroy us. And we'll
work out a peace in which our security, the sovereign power of security, always remains in our hands.
Now people will say it's not a complete state. It's not a state. It's not that. We don't care.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: So he's basically saying no state.
Well, then what?
OLMERT: I think I said it already, that Netanyahu prefers his political priorities and political interests, unfortunately, regrettably, over the
national interests of the State of Israel.
One must understand something and it has to be very clear. There will never, ever be a political solution to the historic conflict between Israel
and the Palestinians unless it will be on the basis of two states.
Palestinians have a right to exercise self-determination and we have to stop being occupiers. We have to separate for them. And there is a plan
which I presented with the president of the Palestinian Authority many years ago when I was prime minister.
And since then I negotiated it with many Palestinians, including recently I published a joint statement with the former foreign minister of the
Palestinian Authority and the former U.N. ambassador of the Palestinian Authority and the nephew of Arafat, in which we jointly recommend ending
the war in Gaza.
Along the parameters which were proposed by President Biden and president Trump and also embarking on negotiations for a two-state solution. This is
something that can be done.
If Netanyahu doesn't want to make peace, then it should be clear that he doesn't want to make peace because Israel has the power, has the strength
in order to defend itself even if there is a Palestinian state alongside the State of Israel. There is no question about it.
ANDERSON: Ehud Olmert, it's good to have you. It won't be the last time that you and I speak. It certainly isn't the first time that you and I have
spoken over the last 21 months or even over the decades before that. It's good to have you, sir. Thank you very much indeed for your perspective.
OLMERT: Thank you, Becky, thank you very much.
ANDERSON: All right. OK. Still to come, you're watching CONNECT THE WORLD, of course.
President Trump issues blunt warnings about new tariffs after bumping back his deadline yet again.
And the Kremlin is responding after Trump says he plans to send a new shipment of defensive weaponry to Ukraine. We'll have a live report on that
coming up.
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ANDERSON: U.S. President Donald Trump turning up the heat in his trade war. Monday, he fired off letters to heads of 14 countries, informing them
of their new reciprocal tariff rates, some even higher than those originally unveiled in April.
The president also granted them a brief reprieve, delaying the date that those levies kick in, from July the 9th, which had been the original
deadline, to August the 1st for all nations except China.
Mr. Trump called the tariffs, quote, "firm but not 100 percent firm," indicating it isn't too late for trade partners to negotiate. CNN's Anna
Stewart has the latest from London.
The tariff rates on some of these 14 countries is as high as some 14 percent. You could suggest that this is strong-arming. The White House will
tell us it's the art of the deal. Investors seem completely confused and the markets are off today. It just feels like investors are off today.
What's going on?
ANNA STEWART, CNN CORRESPONDENT: So you can see this as an escalation or actually a reprieve. Because actually the deadline was tomorrow. Now it's
the 1st of August. All these countries have a lot more time to try and reach a deal.
As you can see, yes; markets are pretty flat today. So that tells you where investors are at. There is time to negotiate. There's time to the 1st of
August. And while we do have new tariff levels, I want to show you what they are now and where they were at on so-called liberation day back in
April.
Because a lot of them really aren't that different. Some of them are exactly the same. You see, Japan is 1 percent more than it was. The highest
tariff is 40 percent for Laos and Myanmar. There's not a huge amount of difference here other than that deadline.
And already, Becky, investors don't really believe in deadlines from this U.S. administration. And last night, when we first got the first letters
posted on Truth Social, there was some U.S. market reaction. I thought, oh, wow. Perhaps investors are finally getting a little bit nervous that trade
deals won't be happening.
We only have one with the U.K.; a trade deal in principle with Vietnam and a trade truce with China. Maybe investors are getting nervous. Today in the
U.S., flat as a pancake. And actually Asia stock indices generally closed the day higher.
ANDERSON: Thank you.
It's always good to have Anna on, picking through the pieces for you.
Investors, as she says, are not massively unimpressed, I think is the idea here, but just not impressed and the markets really very, very flat at this
point.
Donald Trump -- thank you, Anna -- says he plans to send additional defensive weapons to Ukraine after -- days after his administration
announced it would be pausing certain weapons shipments. Here's what he told reporters on Monday.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
DONALD TRUMP, U.S. PRESIDENT: We're going to send some more weapons. We have to. They have to be able to defend themselves. They're getting hit
very hard now. They're getting hit very hard. We're going to have to send more weapons -- defensive weapons, primarily.
But they're getting hit very, very hard. So many people are dying in that mess.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ANDERSON: Well, Trump's comments came after days of deadly Russian aerial attacks on Ukrainian cities. The Kremlin says Washington has made
contradictory statements about arms deliveries to Ukraine and that it will take time to clarify what the U.S. is still prepared to send. CNN's Clare
Sebastian joins me now.
Let's just get this into perspective, if you can.
Is this a significant shift and, if so, what's caused it?
CLARE SEBASTIAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Look, I think on paper, yes; this does look like a turnaround, Becky, for an administration that has called this
Biden's war, has pushed its America First agenda, has threatened to walk away from the whole effort to try to end the war through diplomacy out of
frustration.
[10:25:00]
But I think it's just not clear yet how enduring this shift will be. Obviously, this is a promise of shipping some weapons to Ukraine. But it
doesn't come in conjunction with putting more pressure on Moscow, which is something that Ukraine has also been calling for.
And we know that conversations, according to a person familiar with the matter, will be happening today among Trump's team on exactly what weapons
will be shipped, so I think that is one thing.
I think that's why you see, for example, the Kremlin saying that there are contradictory statements and that it's going to take time to clarify which
weapons are coming. Interestingly, though, they are also choosing to highlight the role that Europe is playing in, as they put it, pumping
weapons into Ukraine.
I think that shows that the Kremlin is still placing some store in this promised reset, with the U.S. going toward criticism with Europe rather
than the United States.
And again, that shows, I think, the uncertainty around the outcome here. But look, for Ukraine, this is absolutely critical. We are seeing not only
that Russia is escalating on the front lines but also in its air war and, in particular, the issue of Patriot missiles.
These are the missiles that the U.S. provides, which are really the only ones that Ukraine has in its arsenal capable of shooting down the most
powerful Russian ballistic missiles that we've seen being used in increasing numbers.
So Ukraine, not a lot of reaction from them this morning. Again, I think there's a lot of uncertainty around what this means. But it is very welcome
news as we see, as you -- as you said, these escalating attacks.
ANDERSON: Thank you. Clare.
All right. You're up to date. Still to come, French president Emmanuel Macron is in the U.K. for a three-day state visit. I want to get a look at
the significance of that trip for you and what both countries hope to accomplish. More after this.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): Welcome back. You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson. These are your headlines this hour.
And search teams are fanning out across central Texas, looking for missing flood victims for a fifth day. Now several other states have sent personnel
and equipment to help. The death toll from the disaster has risen to 105, with 23 still unaccounted for.
Officials tell CNN that they are working to provide a framework for formal talks between Israel and Hamas, as negotiations continue in Doha -- excuse
me.
Meantime, on the ground in Gaza, hospitals report at least 60 people killed in airstrikes across the enclave today. And the Israeli military has issued
fresh evacuation orders for most of Khan Yunis.
Donald Trump turning up the heat in some of America's biggest trading partners.
[10:30:00]
The U.S. president sent letters to the heads of 14 countries on Monday, informing them of reciprocal tariff rates of up to 40 percent unless a deal
is reached and warning against retaliation. But Mr. Trump also granted a brief reprieve. The levies, due to take effect Wednesday, will now be
pushed back until August 1st.
French president Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the U.K. kicked off earlier today and so far it has been heavy on royal pageantry. The Prince
and Princess of Wales welcomed Mr. Macron and his wife, Brigitte, to the country as they arrived in London earlier.
The French leader, then greeted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle. In addition to the pageantry, Mr. Macron will take part in
a number of political events with U.K. lawmakers and prime minister Keir Starmer during what is his three-day visit. CNN's Salma Abdelaziz following
this story for us from London.
I think it's important to ask at this point why this state visit is so significant, Salma, coming as it does, what, eight years after the British
public voted to leave the E.U., which created some real insecurities, let's put it that way, if not outright unpleasantness between the U.K. and French
leaders at the time.
What do both nations hope to accomplish?
SALMA ABDELAZIZ, CNN ANCHOR AND CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): When you're looking at those very beautifully choreographed images, Becky, you are
looking at an exercise in soft power. This is absolutely symbolic, as you said, the first state visit for a French president in more than 15 years.
The first state visit by European leaders since the U.K. Brexiting. And what is happening today with King Charles very much at the front and center
of it is the U.K. is setting the stage for trying to reset that relationship with France, with trying to foster warmer, closer relations.
And this is something that is, of course, not lost on French president Emmanuel Macron, who, after landing, took to social media to talk about how
he hopes that this will bridge these two nations even closer.
In a short time we're expecting president Macron to address MPs in Parliament but the big event of today, the main event of today, will, of
course, be the state banquet held in Windsor Castle.
And it is King Charles and his wife, of course, the queen, who are hosting Mr. Macron and his wife at Windsor Castle and to an audience of about 150
people.
The king is expected to deliver an address that reminds both France and the U.K. of those deep historical and cultural ties, that reminds them of the
link between these two brotherly nations, despite whatever fractions have happened in recent years.
And all of this, again, is the backdrop to what will be very complicated political negotiations in the next two days of this three-day state visit.
Prime minister Keir Starmer will have to sit down and talk about complicated issues, like migration, like supporting Ukraine, like mutual
defense.
So ahead of those conversations, what you're seeing here is an acknowledgment of the history, the ties, the relationship between these two
countries and a huge performance and a welcoming ceremony, if you will, to set that backdrop ahead of those conversations. Becky.
ANDERSON: Salma is in London. Thank you.
We are getting some breaking news out of the south of France. That is where powerful winds in the city of Marseille are fueling a fast-moving wildfire
and forced officials there to close the airport.
Winds of up to 70 kilometers an hour, impacting travel into and out of this port city. This is happening, of course, just as the French summer vacation
period begins. Marseille is the second largest city in France.
Locals say you could see the smoke covering parts of the city. You can certainly see how widespread that smoke is. There no word on when that
Provence airport will reopen.
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ANDERSON (voice-over): And let's get you up to speed on some of the other stories that are on our radar right now.
And internet disruptions and halted phone calls in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, after a blaze that broke out at a key data center in downtown on
Monday. Four workers were killed and at least 22 were injured in that, according to the Egyptian health ministry.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Bring Kilmar home. Bring Kilmar home. Bring Kilmar home.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Well, the supporters of Kilmar Abrego Garcia rallied outside court on Monday, a judge deciding if he can return to
Maryland. Garcia is now in ICE custody in Tennessee, facing criminal charges after being incorrectly deported to El Salvador.
His lawyers call the charges baseless. The White House says it intends to deport Garcia if he is released from criminal custody.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
[10:35:00]
More anti-government protests have turned deadly in Kenya. Anger boiled over in Nairobi on Monday, where human rights officials say at least 11
people were killed and many more were injured. Police clashed with demonstrators and used tear gas and water cannon. This is happening on the
35th anniversary of a pro-democracy rally.
You're watching CONNECT THE WORLD. I'm Becky Anderson for you, 25 to 7:00 here in Abu Dhabi.
Crews in Texas are still in search and rescue mode, of course, for those missing after those massive flash floods in the U.S. state. Straight ahead,
what many survivors say might have helped before the storm hit. That is up next.
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ANDERSON: Well, many survivors of the Texas flooding say that they received no weather alerts or flood warnings in the hours before the deluge
hit.
CNN's Isabel Rosales is on the ground and reports now on how this tragedy played out hour by hour, with surging flood water catching so many people
off guard.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
SEN. TED CRUZ (R-TX): Texas is grieving right now.
ISABEL ROSALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Grieving and bracing for more rain as urgent rescues are still underway for dozens who are missing
after the devastating floods that ravaged central Texas over the holiday weekend, bursting the seams of the Guadalupe river and taking the lives of
at least 104 people, including 27 campers and counselors from a summer camp in Kerr county.
CRUZ: There's still 10 girls and one counselor from camp mystic that are unaccounted for. And the pain and agony of not knowing your child's
whereabouts, it's the worst thing imaginable.
ROSALES (voice-over): Four months of raid fell in a matter of hours. The destructive and fast moving flood water beginning just before sunrise on
the Fourth of July. The river rising 22 feet in just 30 minutes, taking everything in its path with it. And many are asking why alerts weren't
received and evacuations didn't take place.
DALTON RICE, KERRVILLE CITY MANAGER: Well, evacuation is a delicate balance because if you evacuate too late, you then risk putting buses, you know, or
cars or vehicles or campers on roads into low water areas trying to get them out, which then can make it even more challenging because these flash
floods happen very quickly. It's very tough to make those calls because what we also don't want to do is cry wolf.
ROSALES (voice-over): But many families wishing they had taken that chance. The timeline as we know it now, the first flood watch was issued on
Thursday in the afternoon and in the early evening at 6:30 Central Time. Then the first emergency alert came out at 1:14 the morning of the 4th, and
then again at 4:03 in the morning just an hour before the river bursts at around 5 in the morning.
Then a second emergency alert was issued for Kerrville at 5:24 a.m. and then at 5:34, an emergency alert was issued for the Guadalupe River area.
But phone alerts were reportedly not received by some people in an area known to have spotty cell service.
[10:40:03]
Nineteen different local and state agencies are working urgently to find those still missing. Some rescue teams using the aid of cadaver dogs in
their search.
A man in Center Point, Texas, ran when he heard the screams of a young woman who was clinging to a tree after being swept away in floodwater from
a camping site miles away with her family.
CARL JETER, CITIZEN RESPONDER: I didn't know that she was in a tree, but as it turned out, I finally spotted her in the tree and I began to yell back
across to her that, hey, I see you. I'm going to get help.
ROSALES (voice-over): And many others have come out to volunteer their time in the search before the next rainfall comes.
MICHAEL GUYER, VOLUNTEER: I figured I can at least come and help relieve them of some stress and exhaustion. Now I know that up towards Hunt and
everything, they're still expecting possibly more storm surges. So we have to be --
ROSALES: That's a big problem.
GUYER: Yes. And we have to be on the lookout for that, too.
ROSALES: This is rough and rural terrain that volunteers and first responders are having to go over. Also, dangerous debris at points. If it's
not the heavy tree limbs, then it's down barbed wire that people are stepping over, even fire ants that I have seen biting up the volunteers.
And take a look right over there. You see that? That is a paddle boat all the way up on that tree, a reminder of just how powerful these flood waters
were and a reminder also to look up. Isabel Rosales, CNN, Center Point, Texas.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: Search and rescue teams are refusing to give up hope in their efforts to find survivors of this weekend's flash floods. Meanwhile,
communities mourning for those who were lost, including at least 28 victims who, of course, were children. CNN's Tom Foreman with more.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
TOM FOREMAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): In the wake of the rising Texas floodwaters, the list of victims is growing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Oh, my God.
FOREMAN (voice-over): Especially at Camp Mystic, where more than two dozen campers and counselors died.
Lila Bonner was there, enjoying the summer before third grade.
Her parents wrote, "We ache with all who loved her."
They say she was killed with her cabin mate and best friend, Eloise Peck. Her family says she loved spaghetti, dogs and animals.
A vigil was quickly called for Linnie McCown and Mary Stevens, two elementary school-aged victims from Austin, while, elsewhere, families are
mourning Renee Smajstrla, Janie Hunt and Hadley Hanna, who was enjoying her first year at the camp. Her mom said she was the most joyful, happy kid.
Anna Margaret Bellows came from Houston. Sarah Marsh came from near Birmingham.
And camp owner Dick Eastland came to the rescue as hundreds of campers were pulled to safety. His grandson says Eastland lost his life trying to reach
more, noting on Instagram, if he wasn't going to die of natural causes, this was the only other way -- saving the girls that he so loved and cared
for.
HERRING: I've lost two friends. We love them. And they're gone.
FOREMAN (voice-over): The search for the flood victims is stretching over dozens of miles along rivers and creeks, through valleys and trees.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: You've seen the debris fields here. I mean, there's probably people possibly buried in some of those debris fields. And it's
going to take a long time to get those folks out.
FOREMAN: Anywhere anyone might be.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: You just want them to be found for the sake of the families. But, you know, it's not going to be a good ending.
FOREMAN (voice-over): It was not good for the Harber family. Blair, 13, and Brooke, 11, disappeared along with their grandparents. The family says
the girls were found holding hands in death. No word on the grandparents.
Jane Ragsdale was the owner of another nearby summer camp. It was empty but she died there just the same.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The RV park was just gone. Everything. It was, you know, it's -- it wasn't on this Earth anymore.
FOREMAN (voice-over): Greg White's friend, Bill Houston, is nowhere to be found although White says the body of Bill's dog, Sage, was discovered in
the debris.
High school soccer coach Reece Zunker and his wife, Paula, were swept away. Psychologist and college professor Katheryn Eads, too.
And even as some campers have ridden away from the calamity, singing songs of faith, a sad search for more victims goes on -- Tom Foreman, CNN.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
ANDERSON: And we will be right back after this quick break.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[10:45:00]
(MUSIC PLAYING)
ANDERSON: Well, "F1 The Movie" is racing toward a $300 million global box office take. "F1" has already become Apple's biggest cinema release ever
after less than two weeks in a theater near you.
Those who have seen the blockbuster know that the climactic race scene is set here in Abu Dhabi, just like in the real Formula 1 season.
Well, bringing the drama of that race to the silver screen required a unique partnership produced by Apple, distributed by CNN's parent company,
Warner Brothers, and supported by partners here on the ground in the UAE.
The Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Film Commission provided a range of production support, including nearly 300 local crew, a cash rebate
scheme, as well as access to some of the most iconic filming locations, like Yas Marina Circuit.
I sat down with director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer to talk everything from this epic filming location to Brad Pitt's grueling
training schedule. Have a listen.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
(MUSIC PLAYING)
JERRY BRUCKHEIMER, PRODUCER, "F1 THE MOVIE": It's a real immersive -- it's "Rocky" on steroids. It's a fun ride and even has fireworks for the 4th of
July. So we got it all.
ANDERSON (voice-over): An apt description of "F1 The Movie" from someone who knows movies, film producing legend Jerry Bruckheimer.
He spoke to me alongside director Joseph Kosinski about a film that is not just this summer's latest blockbuster but a technical feat that melded the
grit of a 200-mile-an-hour car race with the magic of Hollywood.
JOSEPH KOSINSKI, DIRECTOR, "F1 THE MOVIE": We had like eight cameras rolling simultaneously, just the energy of a real Grand Prix, fireworks
going off in the background.
And to have our actors pull off one of the most critical scenes in the film in two takes was obviously very high pressure. I've never quite had
anything like that. But at the same time, we're able to capture something so special in that moment and be able to show it on screen, to me, is the
whole reason we did this film.
ANDERSON: I just wonder how this kind of unique combination of Hollywood talent and F1 expertise elevated the authenticity and real ambition of this
film's story line.
Jerry, let me start with you.
BRUCKHEIMER: Well, it all started with Joe watching "Drive to Survive" during the pandemic. So he said, we should do a movie about Formula 1. And
he came up with a really unique story.
And the first call he made was to Lewis Hamilton. What we did is we met with Lewis. That was the first thing we did. Joe pitched the story.
And Lewis said, "I'm in."
The next thing is Joe called Brad and he said, "We got Lewis Hamilton and (INAUDIBLE) involved. And Brad was right there. As soon as he heard Lewis'
name, he showed up.
And next thing we had to do was all three of us went to London to meet with Stefano, who's the head of F1, and try to convince him to make this movie
the way we wanted to make it.
ANDERSON: Brad Pitt has described the adrenaline and fear of trusting the car at high speeds, saying it is the most visceral feeling he has ever had
on a film. Just walk me through how you worked with him.
[10:50:00]
KOSINSKI: Well, Brad trained for four months along with Dan and Idris, his costar, to drive these cars. So we started in kind of street cars. And then
he advanced up through all the classes of racing until he got to the point that he could drive one of these real race cars on the track.
And it took four months and it was very brutal training but he had some of the best teachers in the world, including Lewis Hamilton, advising him. And
luckily, Brad has just -- has that natural talent.
And when you see him concentrating in this film on keeping the car on the track, that is not acting, that is -- that is him really trying to keep the
car on the track and hit the racing line. And then he had to act at the same time.
Plus he had four cameras in his face, plus he had 140,000 people watching him in the crowd and 100 million people on TV. So it was a very, very high
pressure situation for an actor to be in. But he loved every moment in the car. Sometimes he'd be smiling in scenes where he wasn't supposed to be
smiling because he was having so much fun.
ANDERSON: What did Lewis Hamilton bring to the party?
BRUCKHEIMER: Well, he brought the realism.
We'd show him a sequence that Joe had cut together and he said, "Well, you're at Silverstone, you're in turn two. I hear you're in third gear. I'd
be in second gear. In turn five, you can't pass on turn five. If you do, there's an accident."
We used that. We had one session in London where it was 12 hours of Lewis, our writer, Joe, Jeremy, myself and Brad in a room, going through every
single line of the script, to make it absolutely perfect. And that's his expertise all through the movie.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Kosinski's massive blockbuster success with "Top Gun: Maverick" made moviegoers feel like they were literally in the
cockpit. So he was uniquely prepared with this film to put them in the driver's seat.
KOSINSKI: We learned on "Top Gun" that when you make the effort to shoot something for real, the audience can really feel that.
The camera system we developed for "Top Gun" would not work in Formula 1. The cameras were just too big and bulky and would ultimately weigh the car
down and slow it down. We worked very closely with Sony to develop a new prototype camera system that was much, much smaller and still had IMAX
quality.
BRUCKHEIMER: The other thing we did is, since Apple, since Apple financed the movie, we took one of their iPhone cameras. They enhanced it so it
could be IMAX and put it on two real race cars in the real F1 races.
So what you're seeing in some of the point of views, you're going to see guys going 220 miles an hour down those racetracks. It's spectacular.
ANDERSON (voice-over): I was at Yas Marina Circuit ahead of the filming of the final climactic scene. The shooting plan was well under wraps but there
was a buzz. And then suddenly Brad Pitt and Damson Idris walked out onto the track.
Filming in front of a cheering crowd at one of the world's most famous racing tracks that hosts the final and often decisive race of the season.
KOSINSKI: We're going after authenticity and, as you said, Abu Dhabi is the final race of the season. So that certainly was my first choice to be
able to end the film there.
The track itself, the whole complex, is spectacular. Just visually. There is nothing else like it on the schedule. For Abu Dhabi to be the finale, to
be in that stunning location, to have a race that starts at dusk and goes into the night, it's spectacular.
ANDERSON (voice-over): The Abu Dhabi film commission and the Emirates' Creative Media Authority partnered on the production. I asked how that
collaboration impacted the ultimate product.
KOSINSKI: We worked with local people on our crew, which was fantastic. Abu Dhabi is an incredible host to us. I loved shooting there. The footage
speaks for itself. So just from a creative point of view, it was my first choice.
And then to have those incentives and just the way how smooth it was to work there and how wonderful the whole process was, making it so easy for
us, so film-friendly, it just -- it makes me want to go back and find something else to shoot there.
ANDERSON (voice-over): Even in the age of streaming, these filmmakers understand just how valuable a big theatrical release can be to the success
of a film like "F1 The Movie." But it's about reaching as many fans as possible, often with second and third viewings.
BRUCKHEIMER: Well, you know what it is, when you make a movie as immersive as this movie, you want to see it on a big screen. You want that big sound,
you want a communal experience, you want to go out and have a -- have a great meal. You want to take the whole family.
You can take the whole family to see this movie. It's something that's fun, emotional and romantic. And that's what when I go to a movie, that's what I
want.
[10:55:00]
KOSINSKI: A movie like this that's made for the big screen, you know, with Atmos sound and everything we put into it, absolutely.
Your first experience with a film, if it is in the theater with a big group of people and you have that emotional experience that Jerry's talking
about, you're going to want to experience it again in all those different venues down the roads.
ANDERSON: Brad Pitt has said he's up for an F1 sequel as long as he is driving again, he says.
Is that on the cards?
Is that in the works?
KOSINSKI: The audience will tell us if they want to see more. So you know, we, like Jerry said, we're going to -- we're going to let it play all
summer long. And then -- and then, of course, there's always going to be those ideas, you know, forming in the back of my head. So for sure.
BRUCKHEIMER: It's up to the audience if we -- if we, you know, pack them in like we have been and it keeps playing, Apple wants to make another one.
(VIDEO CLIP, "F1 THE MOVIE")
ANDERSON: CONNECT THE WORLD, stay with CNN. "ONE WORLD" is up next.
[11:00:00]
END
