Storm Team 8 (test-feed)

app feed

• Ask Ellen: Is tornado alley shifting?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Tornado data is showing a shift in tornado alley to the east in recent years. Tornadoes are becoming more common east of the Mississippi River, and less common in areas like eastern Texas. Tornadoes are most likely in the spring and summer months in the United States. Between 1954 and 1983, tornadoes were most frequent in Texas, Oklahoma and Nebraska. This is the area most classically referred to as "Tornado Alley." From 1984 to 2013, tornado touchdowns have been far more frequent in Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Kentucky and Tennessee by comparison. Michigan, especially near the Indiana state line, had more frequent tornado activity between 1954 and 1983 than between 1984 and 2013. It is important to note that how scientists have confirmed tornadoes has changed significantly through the decades. Radar imagery, camera phones, security cameras and the internet have led to more tornadoes being documented in recent years. It has also made it easier for scientists to determine if a storm produced a tornado or straight-line winds. In the 1950s, quite a bit of wind damage may have been ruled a tornado for lack of better data. WHAT MIGHT BE CAUSING THE SHIFT? Storm systems in the United States that produce severe weather outbreaks and tornadoes thrive on the collision of different kinds of air masses. One study by Yale 360 shows that there has been a movement in the 100th Meridian from the 1980s to today. The boundary between dry air and humid air has shifted east. This dry line could be related to the eastern push of tornado frequency, although the link has not yet been studied in enough detail to know for sure.

• Ask Ellen: Do moonrise times change?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Sunrise and sunset times change quite a bit through the year in West Michigan, but does the moon follow a similar schedule? Moonrise and set times are mathematically determined and can be counted on like clockwork. CALCULATING MOON RISE The moon rises at different times of day or night depending on its position in orbit. It takes the moon roughly 29.5 days to orbit the Earth. The sun illuminates different parts of the moon depending on its position in Earth's orbit. As the moon moves in orbit, different amounts of it will be illuminated by the sun. This is why the moon's shape changes every day. A full moon occurs when the moon is fully illuminated by the sun. A half moon occurs when the moon is only half illuminated by the sun, and the other half is blocked by Earth's shadow. MOON RISE ALWAYS COINCIDES WITH SUNSET A full moon occurs when the moon is opposite the sun in orbit. This also means the full moon rises in the eastern sky around the same time the sun is setting in the western sky. A look at sunset times and full moon rise times in the coming year reveals that almost every full moon rises within about half an hour of sunset. Sometimes the moon rises minutes before sunset, and sometimes minutes after. The full moonrise most distant from its sunset is the blue moon on May 31, 2026. Sunset that day is at 9:14 p.m., and the moonrise does not occur until 10:10 p.m. A Blue Moon usually occurs once every two to three years. It happens because the moon's 29.5-day orbit is slightly less than the typical calendar month, and eventually, the mismatch pushes a full moon into the tail end of a long month, like May.

• Few thunderstorms remain possible into the weekend

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — A few showers and storms remain in the forecast for West Michigan Saturday. Inside woodtv.com: Radar While much of the day appears quiet, occasional thunderstorm development is likely in spots. This will be a possibility throughout the day. It will be humid and mild throughout the day. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app While a few strong storms are possible in West Michigan, the greater threat is on the east side of the state, where a level 2 severe risk is in place. Submit storm photos and video The primary mode of severe weather with any stronger storms will be gusty winds. By Sunday, with the cold front having passed by, sunshine will make a return along with lower humidity. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter Stay with Storm Team 8 for the latest forecast.

• Beach and Boating forecast: July 10, 2025

  HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD) — Luckily for the dry lawns across West Michigan but perhaps causing a hiccup for beachgoers, rain returns to the forecast Friday and Saturday. The region has had a dry start to the year and month. Holland, for example, is trending nearly an inch below normal for the month of July and more than 5 inches for the year. RAIN RETURNS INTO THE WEEKEND Most of the rain showers coming in with the passage of a cold front look to target the lakeshore Friday morning and again Saturday night. While it will not be a complete washout, the area will likely see around a quarter to half inch of rain. Inside woodtv.com: Radar The recent lack of rain has resulted in lower water levels in Lake Michigan. The lake is down approximately 5 inches compared to average and nearly 9 inches from this time last year. Despite this, an increase of 3 inches has been seen over the last month, thanks to a slightly more active pattern and cooler temperatures. A RISE IN HUMIDITY With the arrival of rain showers comes a return for humidity. Dew points will rise into the low 70s this weekend. It will be notably cooler at the lake compared to inland, with high temperatures in the low to mid-80s. Still, expect muggy conditions to take over local beaches, with "feels-like" temperatures in the upper 80s. Download the free Storm Team 8 weather app COOLER WATER TEMPERATURES Over the last 24 hours, some local beaches have seen a dip in water temperatures, thanks to the cold front and northerly wind. On Wednesday afternoon, temperature readings remained in the low 70s. On Thursday morning, some areas, like Ludington, were reporting temperatures in the upper 50s. These temperatures will likely increase into the warmer weekend. WIND AND WAVES With the chance of showers and thunderstorms Friday and Saturday, winds will pick up out of the south at 5 to 15 mph. This will likely prompt yellow flags to fly at beaches due to wave height potential of 3 feet. Sunday, by far, is the nicest beach day of the weekend. Winds will be much calmer, with dew points falling slightly into the 60s. The Lake Michigan Beach and Boating forecast is sponsored by West Michigan Toyota Dealers and the Ludington Area Convention & Visitors Bureau.

• Federal leaders spar on NWS flood warning response, pose safety review after Texas disaster

  KERR COUNTY, Texas (KXAN) – In the aftermath of deadly Hill Country flooding, Texas’ junior Republican U.S. Senator is defending the National Weather Service, as questions surface over the agency’s forecast timing, urgency and communication. “I think there have been some eager to point at the National Weather Service and say cuts there led to a lack of warning,” Sen. Ted Cruz said during a press event with Gov. Greg Abbott Monday in Kerr County, where dozens died after the Guadalupe River tumbled over its banks July 4. “I think that's contradicted the facts.” A view of Camp Mystic, near Hunt, Texas, where flood waters killed over two dozen campers and counselors. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT / AFP) (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images) Also on Monday, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer urged the Commerce Department to investigate NWS vacancies and whether they contributed to the death toll and affected the agency's ability to coordinate with local emergency officials. “This is a national tragedy which people across the country are mourning," Schumer wrote to Duane Townsend, the Commerce Department’s acting inspector general. "The American people deserve answers." The Trump administration made cuts to the federal workforce an early priority in the president’s second term this year, and those reductions extended to the NWS. KXAN has previously reported six vacancies in the NWS Austin/San Antonio, according to its online staff roster and the NWS Employees Organization. Those include three meteorologists, two technology staff members and a science officer. The office has 26 employees when fully staffed. LIVE BLOG: Search, recovery efforts continue for 4th day after deadly floods hit central Texas “They had additional manpower,” the Cruz said. “In fact, they had three additional people working that night, anticipating that it was going to be a very dangerous weather situation.” The NWS Austin/San Antonio office issued a flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m. Friday for a portion of the county. At about 4 a.m., the river rose over 30 feet in less than two hours, according USGS data. Flooding damage in Kerrville, Texas, on July 5, 2025. (KXAN Photo/Frank Martinez) While the NWS has not answered KXAN’s specific questions about its timeline and staffing, it has provided additional details about notifications leading up to those critical hours: The National Water Center Flood Hazard Outlook issued on Thursday morning indicated an expansion of flash flood potential to include Kerrville and surrounding areas. A flood watch was issued by the NWS Austin/San Antonio office at 1:18 p.m. on Thursday, in effect through Friday morning. The Weather Prediction Center issued three Mesoscale Precipitation Discussions for the excessive rainfall event as early as 6:10 p.m. Thursday indicating the potential for flash flooding. The National Water Center Area Hydrologic Discussion #144 at 6:22 p.m. on Thursday messaged locally considerable flood wording for areas north and west of San Antonio, including Kerrville. On Monday, White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson responded to KXAN’s inquiries, calling NWS operations surrounding the flood “successful.” “The NWS leveraged advanced tools like the Amber Alert software to send critical flood warnings directly to wireless devices, ensuring widespread awareness,” Jackson wrote in an email. “While we mourn the tragic lives lost in this disaster, the NWS’s early and frequent warnings saved countless others.” Questioning warnings Critics have questioned the effectiveness of those specific warnings in rural and remote areas of Central Texas. Representing the administration on Saturday, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited the area along the Guadalupe River, calling the amount of rain in the flooding event “unprecedented,” broadly referencing the administration’s goal to “fix” aging technology within NOAA – the parent agency to the NWS. “I do carry your concerns back to the federal government and back to President Trump,” Noem said, acknowledging the need for upgraded technology so “families have as much warning as possible.” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, center, speaks with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, about ongoing search and rescue efforts after recent flooding along the Guadalupe River during a press conference on Saturday, July 5, 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. (AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez) What the NWS put out was also information used by the state and its emergency management team – alerts, or warnings, about heavy rain and the potential for flash flooding, Abbott said in a Sunday press event. “A problem with that is that to most people in the area flash flooding would mean one thing, not what it turned out to be; because they deal with flash floods all the time,” Abbott said. Abbott: Special session may address warnings after deadly Texas floods Abbott said he discussed NWS alerts with Noem during her visit over the weekend. In the upcoming special session – starting in two weeks – the Texas Legislature would address the response to weather events like this deadly flood, he added. KXAN has reached out to Abbott’s office to see if he has been briefed on the NWS’ staffing and has further comment. At the Sunday press conference, KXAN asked the governor if he had any concerns about NWS vacancies affecting warnings ahead of the recent flood. Abbott said he knew “nothing about the staffing,” but did know the chronology of alerts from that office. On Monday, Cruz said the local NWS office actually had three additional people working during the time leading up to the flood but also acknowledged the “limits” of a flash flood making earlier detection challenging. “Everyone would agree, in hindsight, if we could go back and do it again, we would evacuate particularly those in the most vulnerable areas, the young children, the cabins closest to the water,” Cruz said. “We would remove them and get them to higher ground. If we could go back and do it again, obviously, everyone would.” He also warned against “partisan” finger-pointing at this stage, suggesting a broader public safety review after rescue and recovery has wrapped would eventually be needed to “make sure that critical roles are maintained.” “I think it is reasonable overtime to engage in a retrospective and say at every level what could have been done better, because all of us would want to prevent this horrific loss of life,” Cruz said. “But I think just immediately trying to use it for either side to attack political opponents… that's cynical and not the right approach, particularly at a time when we're dealing with a crisis.” Staffing impact In an interview with NBC, Tom Fahy, legislative director for the NWS Employees Organization, defended the Weather Service’s forecasting alerts leading up to the flood, while also acknowledging staffing cuts have significantly whittled down manpower in offices across the country. Tom Fahy, legislative director for the NWS Employees Organization. (Courtesy/NBC Universal) “The staffing that we had in both San Angelo and San Antonio offices, we had adequate amount of staff to get out the alerts and warnings to the public,” Fahy said. “The flood warning was issued 12 hours in advance of the event.” Predicting the exact severity, and that a 30-foot wall of water would come down Guadalupe, isn’t possible for a forecast, he said. While the NWS has faced staffing shortages for years, the level of losses this year is far more pronounced and concerning, he said. About 600 people have left their NWS posts from the beginning of the Trump administration to April 30, a change with “dramatic impact,” said Fahy. That’s as many people as the NWS lost in the last 15 years to retirement and attrition, but the agency was able to hire and fill those vacancies immediately, unlike now, Fahy said. When Trump came into office, he instituted a federal hiring freeze through July 15 of this year. NWS can’t immediately refill its vacancies, but they have asked for special consideration to get that done, Fahy said. “We're a tightly knit organization delivering outstanding results for the American public,” said Fahy. “This comes down to the math. It comes down to budget numbers, and we are short staffed.” ‘Fury of rainfall’ Dr. Venkataraman Lakshmi, professor of engineering at the University of Virginia and president of the hydrology section of the American Geophysical Union, also said forecasting the number of feet the Guadalupe would rise near Kerrville would have been nearly impossible. “Predicting rainfall is more difficult than predicting the stock market,” Lakshmi said. “It's based on physical equations. It's based on atmospheric dynamics. It's a very complicated mathematical model.” Lakshmi said he had no knowledge of the staffing vacancies at NWS, but, for the past 40 years, the NWS has led worldwide progress on weather forecasting. While the storm was predicted in advance, the location of the Kerr County tragedy was so close to the source of the water it left little reaction time. “As hydrologists, we are very concerned about lead time, but if you're sitting at the source of the water, it's very difficult,” he said. “There is, sadly, no answer to the fury of rainfall and the fact that this fell right at the most terrible place.”

• Following Texas floods, warning sirens get renewed attention

  AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Following this weekend's devastating Texas floods that killed more than 100 people, and left at least two dozen still missing, outdoor warning sirens are now getting renewed attention. "You want to try to get as many chances to get the public's attention that trouble is on the way," said State Sen. Paul Bettencourt, R-Houston. On Monday, Bettencourt announced he's drafting a bill -- to be filed at the "earliest opportunity" -- that would place civil defense sirens in flash-flood prone river valleys like the Upper Guadalupe River. "This phone is too overloaded," Bettencourt said, taking out his cell phone and holding it up. "You get bank alerts, and fraud alerts, and security alerts, and alerts of every kind. So, I was thinking we need to go back to old technology." Outdoor warning sirens in San Marcos (KXAN Photo/Todd Bynum) Loud sirens, called Outdoor Warning Systems, could save lives as part of a layered approach, Bettencourt said, that also includes weather radios and mobile alerts. Critics point out sirens are expensive, require routine maintenance and can cause confusion. On Monday, Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz told NBC News that flood sirens, and resources for smaller counties to respond and prepare for disasters, will likely be discussed at the federal level. "Look, I think that's certainly a discussion that will flow in the weeks and months ahead," Cruz said. "I think we need to look at what happened, what transpired and how we could have moved more quickly to get people who are vulnerable out of harm's way in particular those kids in the cabins by the river." "How we make that happen, I think, is a very reasonable discussion," he added. "It should be a bipartisan discussion. And, I expect it to happen at the local level, the state level and the federal level." Kerrville didn't have weather sirens used by other cities 'It's well worth it' In May, a National Weather Service flash flood warning triggered the sound of a wailing siren in San Marcos. "Oh, it's really loud," San Marcos Emergency Management Coordinator Rob Fitch told KXAN on Monday at Raymond Lucio Park, where there is a siren. "You can hear it a couple miles away." Outdoor warning sirens seen from Raymond Lucio Park in San Marcos (KXAN Photo/Todd Bynum) San Marcos has 14 of these outdoor warning systems. They are designed to quickly sound the alarm during severe weather for people who are outside and might not have access to mobile alerts. The city's website touts them as a "vital tool for emergency preparedness." "Along the river, we do have flood gauges," Fitch explained. "And, when they get to a certain part, we know that we have to set off the alarm." "Having the alert, through the system like this, can save lives and is well worth it," he added. "It may cost a lot in the beginning, but, in the long run, it's well worth it." Abbott: Special session may address warnings after deadly Texas floods 'We've been trying to get a new Flood Warning System' Warning sirens are not required -- and were not in Kerr County -- even as County Judge Rob Kelly acknowledged over the weekend: "This is the most dangerous river valley in the United States and we deal with floods on a regular basis." Over the weekend, a KXAN investigation first revealed that from 2017 up until this past May, officials there discussed developing a flood warning system. In 2018, the county was denied a $1 million grant. "We've been trying to get a new Flood Warning System here," the county's emergency management coordinator, W.B. "Dub" Thomas, said in 2020, according to the Kerr County Commissioners' Court meeting minutes. "We haven't been able to do it." Instead, the county uses a "Code Red" automated text alert system. However, Kerrville, which uses the same system, warns it relies on data from the White Pages and "no one should assume their number is included." 'Improve flood warning to the public' brought up weeks ago Less than two months before the devastating flood occurred in Kerrville, Tara Bushnoe, the general manager at the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, requested an opportunity to present Kerr County commissioners "on the development of a Flood Warning System" for the county. According to the Kerr County Commissioners' Court meeting agenda, Bushnoe's request for a five-minute presentation on May 12 stated a firm was selected to "develop a web-based dashboard that will be accessible to defined users to improve flood warning to the public." The dashboard, to be developed during the next year, is described as bringing "real time rainfall and stream flow data as well as flood inundation mapping and predictions." It's unclear whether the presentation was given in executive session. KXAN reached out to Bushnoe to learn more and will update this story when we receive a response. Special session to address Kerrville On Sunday, Gov. Greg Abbott told reporters "the way to respond to what happened in Kerrville is going to be a topic for the special session to address." KXAN investigator Kelly Wiley asked Abbott about a lack of funding for sirens statewide. "Well," Abbott responded, "it's going to be something that will be looked at." “As you kind of pointed out, these camps go back almost 100 years, and they are familiar with the water in the area, probably better than anybody else, and they have their own ways in which to deal with warnings that would involve children, sometimes as young as eight or nine years old," Abbott added. "And, we need to evaluate what they know, how they respond, what they need. And that's why it's going to be good to have a session with all members working together, that would bring different perspectives, because the reality also is this, and that is what's needed in that river basin, at that location, could be far different than what's needed in some other river basin across the state.” The special session starts July 21. The governor's office would not say if this will come up then or at a later date.

• Flash flooding claimed more than 100 lives in Central Texas. Here’s what we know about the victims

  AUSTIN (KXAN) — At least 129 people across Central Texas are confirmed dead, including dozens of children who were attending summer camp in the Hill Country, after catastrophic flooding over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The flash flooding deluged summer camps in Kerr County, dotted along the Guadalupe River, and also left families in Burnet, Kendall, Tom Green, Travis and Williamson Counties looking for family members swept away in the floodwaters. MAP: Where have flash flooding fatalities been confirmed in Texas? Camp Mystic Kerr County officials said at least 103 people died in flash flooding over the Fourth of July weekend -- 36 of whom are children. At least 161 others remain missing. Camp Mystic is a nearly century-old all-girls Christian camp on the banks of the Guadalupe River. The camp has been run by couple Dick and Tweety Eastland since they purchased it in 1974. The grandson of Dick Eastland confirmed on social media his grandfather died "saving the girls that he so loved and cared for." New images show aftermath of Camp Mystic flooding In a message posted Monday morning, Camp Mystic said it was grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors. "Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly," the post stated. Several families across Texas -- and in some cases, in other states -- have confirmed that their daughters did not survive the historic flooding that deluged the camp. St. Anne Catholic School in Beaumont confirmed Mary Grace Baker was among those killed at Camp Mystic. "Mary Grace was a bright light in our close-knit school family, known for her kindness and friendship to all, her joyful spirit and her love for her faith and family," the school posted on Instagram. "Her giggle was contagious, as was her spirit." The mother of Anna Margaret Bellows, 8, confirmed to KXAS that her daughter's body had been recovered. Lila Bonner's family told KXAN, "We ache with all who loved her and are praying endlessly for others to be spared from this tragic loss." Molly Dewitt, 9, was one of the Mystic campers who lost her life in the flooding. In her obituary, her family said she "had a heart as expansive as her imagination." "From a young age, [Molly] was drawn to those on the margins — refugees, kids who felt different, people without homes. Her instinct was always to notice, to care, and to extend kindness. She gave freely of her time, her heart, and even her belongings, and she taught those around her what it meant to love without hesitation," her obituary stated. The family of Hadley Hanna, 8, confirmed she was among those killed. "While we are deeply moved by the outpouring of support from neighbors, first responders and volunteers, we ask that the media, the public and even well-meaning individuals honor our need for space and quiet during this time," a statement from the family read. Janie Hunt was attending Camp Mystic along with several of her cousins, according to a message U.S. Congressman Buddy Carter posted on X. Hunt's family said about her on social media, "God of grace and comfort, we thank you for our little niece, Janie Hunt and for the place she held in all our hearts." Mary Kate Jacobe, 8, was a Camp Mystic camper from Houston and the "baby of her large family." In a statement from the Jacobe family, they said, "Our precious angel baby has entered the gates of Heaven. Mary Kate Jacobe was the light of our lives. She was tiny but mighty, full of love and joy with a smile that melted your heart." Nine-year-old Lainey Landry was also killed in the flooding at Camp Mystic, a Facebook post by St. George Catholic Church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, said. Eight-year-old twins Hanna and Rebecca Lawrence were among the victims at Camp Mystic, their grandfather told NBC News. Their older sister was also at camp, but was safely evacuated. "Hanna and Rebecca gave their [family] so much joy," the grandfather said. "They and that joy can never be forgotten." The Mayor of the City of Mountain Brook, Alabama, said on Instagram that Sarah Marsh, 8, was a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary. Mayor Welch said, "This is an unimaginable loss for her family, her school and our entire community. Sarah's passing is a sorrow shared by all of us, and our hearts are with those who knew and loved her." Photo of Linnie McCown. (Courtesy Michael McCown) Hundreds gathered outside Casis Elementary School on Sunday, July 6, to mourn 8-year-old Austin ISD student Linnie McCown. Her father said on Instagram the Mystic camper, "filled [their] hearts with so much joy we cannot begin to explain." Blakely McCrory, 8, was also among those killed at Camp Mystic, her mother confirmed on Facebook. "While we find some comfort in the knowledge that Blakely is happy, safe and secure in the arms of Jesus, we are beyond shattered and will miss her with every breath we take for the rest of our lives." The family of Wynne Naylor confirmed to KXAS that their daughter was killed. "There are no words to express our gratitude to everyone who supported Wynne and our entire family through this time," a statement from the family read. "Wynne has a great love of the outdoors, a love of God and love for her community." The family of Eloise Peck confirmed she had been found dead. "It is with a heavy heart that I let you know that Eloise Peck has been found and is now an angel," a statement from the family said. A family member of Renee Smajstrla confirmed she was among the victims, writing on Facebook, "While not the outcome we prayed for, the social media outreach likely assisted the first responders in helping to identify her so quickly." The family member went on to say, "[Renee] will forever be living her best life at Camp Mystic." The family of Mary Stevens, a Mystic camper and student at Highland Park Elementary School in Austin, confirmed on social media that she was among those who did not survive the flooding. "Our family is completely devastated by the loss of our beloved Mary and her dear friends at Camp Mystic," her family said in a statement. "This is a tragedy that no parent can prepare for.  While we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, we request privacy as we navigate the unimaginable steps ahead. We continue to keep the fellow campers, staff, and families in our prayers — for their rescue and return home." Camp Mystic counselor Chloe Childress did not survive the flash floods in Kerr County over the July 4th weekend. (Courtesy of the Childress Family) The parents of Greta Toranzo shared on Facebook that her daughter was among those killed. "Greta was thrilled to return to Camp Mystic for a third summer this year," her parents said. "She was overjoyed to be reunited with her camp friends for weeks of fun, laughter, sports and sisterhood." At least one Camp Mystic counselor was also killed during the flash floods, according to her family. Chloe Childress, 19, was a former camper who had become a camp counselor. In a statement, her family said she "lived a beautiful life that saturated those around her with contagious joy, unending grace, and abiding faith." Kerr County The family of Joyce-Catherine Badon, 21, confirmed she was among those killed in the Kerr County floods. The senior at Savannah College of Art and Design in Savannah, Georgia, was in Hunt, Texas, with friends when the flood washed away their cars. "God showed us the way we should go this morning!" her mother wrote on Facebook. "We found our lovely daughter who blessed us for 21 years! We pray to be able to find her three friends soon." Joni and Robert Brake Sr., were in their RV at HTR TX Hill County Campground in Ingram when the floods came. Brake Sr. was an Air Force veteran, and their son described his parents as "patriots through and through." John Burgess, 39, was camping at the HTR TX Hill Country Campground in Ingram with his wife and two children when the flash floods hit. His family said on Facebook he died in the Kerr County flooding. Burgess' wife, Julia, and their two youngest children are still missing, family said. Ella Cahill, 21, was a student and fitness student coordinator at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her family confirmed on Facebook that she died during the flash floods over the Fourth of July weekend. "We're heartbroken," her sister said about Ella's passing on Facebook. UTSA Campus Recreation said about Ella on Instagram, "Her approachable, encouraging nature helped create a positive and welcoming environment where everyone felt seen and supported.⁠" Photo of Cody and Michelle Crossland, victims of flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, 2025. (Courtesy Hailey Chavarria) Cody and Michelle Crossland were among a group of people from Midland, Texas, camping at HTR TX Campground in Ingram. Around 4 a.m. on July 4, the group awoke, fled their tents and ran for their vehicles, but were swept away, our affiliate in Midland, KMID, reported. The Crosslands and two others in the group were later found dead while another remains missing. A sixth member of the group survived, after being swept 12 miles down-river. The family of Josephine Dunlap, of Andrews, Texas, confirmed that she was among the victims in Kerr County, our affiliate in Midland, KMID, reported. The University of Texas at San Antonio community was also touched by the tragedy. Katheryn Eads, a senior lecturer of psychology at UTSA, was among those killed. "Dr. Eads was an extraordinary educator whose devotion to her students and to the craft of teaching embodied the very best of our academic community," Heather Shipley, UTSA provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, said. "Through her insight, expertise and unwavering commitment to student success, she inspired generations of learners and colleagues alike. Her absence leaves a profound void at UTSA, but her impact will continue to resonate through the lives she touched." St. Rita Catholic School in Dallas told its community that two sisters who attended the school, rising sixth grader Brooke Harber and rising eighth grader Blair Harber, were among the children whom first responders were searching for. NBC News reported that in a detailed statement posted to GoFundMe, the girls' aunt said their bodies were found 15 miles away from the family's vacation rental in Hunt. "When they were found, their hands were locked together," she told NBC. Family members said Melissa and Rob Kamin were among those killed in Kerr County. In a Facebook post, Melissa's cousin said they "made an amazing impact on so many peoples' lives. They will never be forgotten, and their memory will live on through the love they shared with so many." The Montgomery County Judge said Claire "Reese" Manchaca was with three of her friends at a cabin near Hunt when they were swept away during the flood. Manchaca was a graduate of Caney Creek High School in Conroe, Texas, and was a student at the University of Texas at San Antonio, according to the CCHS student paper. "Reese is now with God. Thank you all who have sent prayers up for our family," Manchaca's cousin said on Facebook. Odessa Police Officer Bailey Martin was named among those killed in flash flooding in Kerr County. (Odessa Police Department photo) Bailey Martin was a police officer in Odessa, Texas. Our affiliate, KMID, reported that Martin, his girlfriend, Jayda, his father, Bobby Martin, and his stepmother, Amanda Martin, were visiting a campground in Kerrville to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend when their RV was swept away in the flash floods. The Odessa Police Department said on Tuesday Martin was found dead. "We kindly ask that you respect the family's privacy during this difficult time, as they have not only lost Bailey but also several other family members," Odessa Police Department officials said. "Our prayers go out to them, and to everyone affected by this devastating natural disaster." José Olvera and his wife, Alicia, both in their 70s, were swept away in floodwaters in Hunt, a neighbor told NBC News. José’s body was found on Saturday, but Alicia remains missing. Volunteers believe they were holding hands when they were swept away, the neighbor said. Another summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, Heart O' the Hills, announced that the camp's longtime co-owner, Jane Ragsdale, lost her life during the devastating flooding in the Hill Country. Camp officials said Jane "embodied the spirit of Heart O' the Hills and was exactly the type of strong, joyful woman that the camp aimed to develop." Joel, Kyndall and Tasha Ramos were among a group of people from Midland, Texas, camping at HTR TX Campground in Ingram. Around 4 a.m. on July 4, the group awoke, fled their tents and ran for their vehicles, but were swept away, our affiliate in Midland, KMID, reported. Joel and Kyndall, and two others in the group, were later found dead while Tasha remains missing. A sixth member of the group survived, after being swept 12 miles down-river. Photo of Kyndall Ramos, one of the victims of flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, 2025. (Courtesy Hailey Chavarria) Photo of Joel and Tasha Ramos, victims of flash flooding in Kerr County, Texas, on July 4, 2025. (Courtesy Hailey Chavarria) Julian Ryan and his young family woke up to water rushing into their home. In a detailed account posted to GoFundMe, his family said Julian died while trying to save his wife, mother and children from the flood waters. "I love you, Julian," his sister said in a Facebook post. "It shouldn't have took you to pass away for you to get recognition, but you made it and the world is gonna know how good of a man you were." The family of Shon Scott, of Andrews, Texas, confirmed that he was among the victims in Kerr County, our affiliate in Midland, KMID, reported. Humble Independent School District said a long-time teacher, Jeff Wilson, passed away due to the flooding in Kerrville. According to the district, Wilson worked for 30 years at both Humble High School and Kingwood Park High School. "He was beloved teacher and co-worker to many and will be deeply missed," the district said in a statement on X. Jeff's wife, Amber Wilson, was later recovered, family said, while their son, Shiloh, remains missing. Reece Zunker, a soccer coach at Tivy High School in Kerrville, Texas, was named among the victims of flash flooding. (Kerrville ISD photo) Kerrville Independent School District is also mourning the loss of a beloved soccer coach and a former teacher. District officials said on Facebook that Reece Zunker and his wife, Paula Zunker, lost their lives in the flood. The district said Paula "left a lasting mark on the community" and said Reece's "unwavering dedication [...] will never be forgotten." The Zunkers' two children, Lyle and Holland, are still missing, according to the district's post.  Travis County Travis County officials said nine people died and four others remain missing after the "extremely deadly and destructive" flooding in Travis County over the Fourth of July weekend. Dan and Virginia Dailey, longtime residents of the neighborhood, vanished in the early morning hours of July 4. (Photo Courtesy Donna Adams) Dan, 67, and Virginia Dailey, 66, were longtime residents of the Sandy Creek neighborhood. Virginia was posting on social media about the flooding in Kerrville shortly before the waters outside her own home began to rise. "They're important in our lives," their son Wesley Dailey said about his parents. "They have grandkids. They've fought through medical issues. But they weren't ready to go." The Glenn High School Grizzly Band and Leander ISD Trustee Anna Smith posted on Facebook that incoming sophomore Braxton Jarmon lost his life during the floods. Smith said Jarmon's sister is still missing. Braxton Jarmon was set to begin his Sophomore year at Glenn High School. (Courtesy Glenn Band Boosters) "We could not have imagined this tragedy happening to our family. He's our baby boy," Jarmon's sister said in a post on Facebook. The Travis County Sheriff's Office said August Panning, 50, and Betty Massey West, 84, were found dead during search and recovery missions from the Travis County flood zone. Family also confirmed that Doug West was among the victims. Williamson County Three people were killed in Williamson County, officials said. Sherry Richardson worked with the Hope House for about 3 and a half years (KXAN Photo/ Jala Washington) In a social media post, Hope House, a home for children with disabilities, said their coworker Sherry Richardson, 64, was among those killed. "Sherry was more than a coworker — she was a dear friend to so many in our staff," the statement read. "She loved our residents dearly and was an invaluable part of our mission. We are deeply grateful to the rescue workers and first responders who worked tirelessly to bring her home." The Williamson County Sheriff’s Office also recovered the body of Kaitlyn Swallow, 22, of Liberty Hill. Burnet County William "Govani" Venus' son confirmed to KXAN that he was among those killed in flooding in Burnet County. Emergency management officials in Burnet County said five people were killed in the flash flooding that hit their county. Officials confirmed that ranch worker Preston Prince, 22, lost his life. Malaya Hammond, 17, and Walter Reed, 79, were also named among the victims. The son of William "Govani" Venus, 57, confirmed to KXAN's Kevin Baskar that his father was among those killed. In a Facebook post, his son said Venus was a 33-year retired CSM Army veteran who had been deployed five times. A fifth victim has not yet been identified. One other person remains missing — Marble Falls Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Michael Phillips, who was swept away during a water rescue. Tom Green County Tanya Burwick was killed in flash flooding in San Angelo, Texas, on July 4, 2025. (Courtesy Lindsey Brown Burwick) Flooding in San Angelo on July 4 claimed one life. The body of Tanya Burwick, 62, was found several blocks away from where her vehicle had been found, according to the San Angelo Police Department. She was an employee at Walmart in San Angelo. In a Facebook post, the store said she was part of their family since they opened in 2015. "We try not to think about what she was going through in her last minute," Burwick's daughter said. "To know that she was scared and alone is what breaks our hearts the most. But we know that she was strong, and she's now pain-free and with all of our loved ones in heaven." We will update this story as new information becomes available. Investigative Intern Elijah Carll, News Intern Sally Edwards and Investigative Producer Dalton Huey contributed to this report. 

• How fast is West Michigan losing daylight?

  GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Astronomical summer began almost three weeks ago. While the change of season means plenty of sunshine and 80-degree temperatures, it also signals the start to a slow decline in daylight. So how quickly are the days getting shorter? A SLOW DECLINE... FOR NOW The summer solstice on June 20, 2025, brought the longest day of the year in terms of daylight, with 15 hours and 21 minutes. Since then, Grand Rapids has lost around 12 minutes of daylight. The number, however, will increase in the weeks following. In the next 30 days, Grand Rapids will lose an additional 57 minutes of daylight. Sign up for the Storm Team 8 daily forecast newsletter SHARP DECLINE INTO FALL In early September, daylight hours decline to 12 hours and 49 minutes. Each month through November, approximately 1.5 hours of daylight will be lost. September is the month that loses the most daylight from start to finish at an hour and 25 minutes. Soak up the sunshine and long days while you can.

json via rss

The RSS feed does not contain any items.

embed json

 

[{"id":1458368,"date":"2023-06-21T13:51:37","date_gmt":"2023-06-21T17:51:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/?p=1458368"},"modified":"2023-09-11T12:23:00","modified_gmt":"2023-09-11T16:23:00","slug":"storm-team-8-forecast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.woodtv.com\/weather\/forecast\/storm-team-8-forecast\/","title":{"rendered":"Storm Team 8 Forecast"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Chief Meteorologist Ellen Bacca (and husband Mark) welcomed their first child over the weekend, with the birth of Piper Sunny. Check out these sweet pictures<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hurricane Lee continues to slowly track toward the United States. Click here for the latest on intensity and path<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday brought plenty of sunshine and calm conditions. Bill’s Blog dives into what is currently the calmest day of 2023.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEATHER WEAR<\/strong>
Rain Jacket
Umbrella<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong>
Widespread Rain Developing
Pockets of Locally Heavy Rain
HIGH:<\/strong> 67
LOW:<\/strong> 55
WINDS: SE 5-10 mph<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SUNRISE<\/strong> 7:17 a.m.
SUNSET<\/strong> 7:59 p.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TODAY<\/strong> Take along the rain jacket and umbrella as you head out the door, as widespread rain will be rolling through the area today. The most concentrated rain will prevail during the morning hours, with the rain becoming more scattered in nature late in the day. Amounts will range from 0.10-0.50+ and will likely be localized. Otherwise, expect overcast skies and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TUESDAY<\/strong> – WEDNESDAY<\/strong> Scattered showers continue for most of Tuesday before tapering off Wednesday morning. Cooler temperatures arrive with highs in the low to mid-60s. It will be breezy as winds come from the north at 10-20 mph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

THURSDAY <\/strong> Cool and quiet conditions will prevail with more sunshine and highs in the mid-upper 60s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FRIDAY <\/strong> Plenty of sunshine is on tap, with slightly warmer air returning to the area. Afternoon highs will reach the mid-70s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WEEKEND WEATHER<\/strong> Sunshine will continue to dominate over the weekend, with highs in the low-mid 70.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

LOOKING AHEAD<\/strong> The overall pattern remains mostly dry and warmer than “average” into the fourth week of September, with the 8 to 14 day outlook placing West Michigan in a drier and warmer-than-normal pattern.<\/p>\n\n\n