The number of missing persons in Texas' recent catastrophic flooding has decreased from 97 to 3 as search efforts continue, with officials emphasizing thorough follow-up to verify safety and locate the remaining individuals. The flooding, which resulted in at least 135 deaths, highlights the increasing severity of extreme weather events linked to climate change, prompting legislative action and ongoing recovery efforts in Kerr County.
After the July Fourth floods in Texas, volunteers and first responders are helping reunite residents with cherished belongings like quilts, jewelry, and totem poles, which hold deep emotional value and symbolize resilience and remembrance amid the devastation.
Phish bassist Mike Gordon will be part of an all-star lineup of Vermont musicians performing at the Hug Your Farmer: Hard Rain benefit concert in Burlington on September 7. The event, celebrating the music of Bob Dylan, will feature a house band led by Bob Wagner and will raise funds for The Vermont Community Foundation's VT Flood Response & Recovery Fund. All proceeds from the concert will go towards flood recovery efforts in Vermont, and donations can be made via HugYourFarmer.com.
Phish will be hosting two special benefit concerts at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 25 and 26 to aid in the flood recovery efforts in Vermont and Upstate New York. All ticket sales and concert merchandise proceeds will go directly to The WaterWheel Foundation's 2023 Flood Recovery Fund, which aims to support flood victims, businesses, and non-profit organizations in the affected regions. The concerts come as part of Phish's extensive summer tour, with tickets going on sale to the general public on July 29.
Vermonters affected by floods can now apply for financial assistance through FEMA after President Biden approved a major disaster declaration. The assistance includes housing repair, rental assistance, and personal property loss. Residents and business owners in eligible counties can start the application process online or by phone. The declaration also allows reimbursement for emergency protective measures. Other updates include road closures, drinking water safety precautions, mental health support, and the reopening of Amtrak service. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg plans to visit Vermont on Monday.
Some roads in New York remain closed and there is limited rail service as the region continues to recover from storms that caused record rainfall and resulted in one fatality. The Metro-North Hudson line is partially suspended, with trains running between Grand Central Terminal and Peekskill. Limited bus service is being provided between Poughkeepsie and Croton-Harmon stations. The Newburgh-Beacon ferry service is still suspended. Various roads, including the Palisades Interstate Parkway, Bear Mountain Bridge, and Route 9W, are closed. Power outages are also affecting some areas, with restoration efforts underway.
