HEARTBREAKING NEWS: ABC’S Trevor Ault devastates viewers as he shows wreckage from horror Texas floods
ABC anchor David Muir has continued covering the aftermath of last week’s catastrophic flooding in Texas, with viewers expressing they feel “so sad” following the disaster.
On Thursday’s broadcast of World News Tonight with David Muir, the journalist disclosed that the frantic search for victims is ongoing with 166 people still unaccounted for.
The d3ath toll currently stands at 121 and officials fear it will continue to rise.
After informing viewers that questions remain about how long it took authorities to alert residents of the flood dangers before the disaster struck, David, 51, aired a segment by his colleague Trevor Ault.
Broadcasting from the Texas Hill Country, the ABC News correspondent showcased the devastation left in the wake of the floodwaters – including the wreckage of overturned vehicles, demolished trees and mud-covered landscape where rescue teams are still searching for victims.
Trevor Ault reporting from Texas (Image: ABC)
Trevor’s segment also included audio from a first responder who, in the early morning hours of July 4, had warned that the Guadalupe Schumacher sign was submerged on Highway 39.
He asked, “Is there any way we can send a CodeRED out to our Hunt residents, asking them to find higher ground or stay home?”
A Kerr County Sheriff’s Office dispatcher responded with caution, stating, “Stand by, we have to get that approved with our supervisor.”
The aftermath of the floods in Texas (Image: ABC)
Trevor detailed how the CodeRED system, which sends a pre-recorded message to subscribed residents, was delayed according to dispatcher audio, taking an additional 90 minutes to activate – leaving some not notified until 10 a.m., long after rising waters wreaked havoc along the riverbanks.
In light of the events, officials have committed to examining the emergency services’ actions, as Trevor reported.
The tragedy in Texas has deeply moved viewers, especially after ABC World News Tonight shared a clip on Instagram, prompting one viewer to comment, “It’s so sad that this shouldn’t have happened. God has mercy, my prayers are with the families affected.”
The ABC News correspondent gave viewers an insight into the damage caused by the floods (Image: ABC)
Another individual, hailing from San Antonio, expressed profound sorrow for the families and those who perished in such a terrible manner, lamenting that the disaster could have been prevented and mourning the unnecessary loss of innocent lives.
An additional comment offered condolences, saying, “My thoughts and prayers to all the families dealing with this horrific situation. I’m heartbroken. No one should have to go through this.”
Meanwhile, another person reflected on the sadness of thinking about those who were alive but unaccounted for, possibly having not survived due to delayed rescue efforts, highlighting the challenges in locating missing individuals.
A person expressed their grief, saying, “Unbelievable tragedy!” Another individual directed their anger at President Donald Trump, commenting, “This is so sad, so incredibly sad…. Thank you Donald Trump… just more blood on your hands… how do you live with yourself, HOW!!!!”
President Trump is en route to Texas today to witness the havoc wreaked by catastrophic floods – yet his administration remains steadfast in its commitment to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency and hand over disaster response duties to individual states.
However, since the July 4 calamity, the President and his senior staff have concentrated on the unprecedented nature of the event and the human suffering it caused, rather than the government-cutting agenda favored by Trump’s staunchest backers.
Trevor showed destroyed cars, fallen trees and mud-covered terrain (Image: ABC)
“Nobody ever saw a thing like this coming,” Trump remarked to NBC News on Thursday, emphasizing, “This is a once-in-every-200-year deal.”
The President plans to conduct an aerial survey of some of the most affected regions.
The White House has also announced that he will stop by the state emergency operations center to engage with first responders and family members of those impacted by the floods.
David Muir presented the report from the studio (Image: ABC)
Trump is also set to receive updates from officials. Republican Governor Greg Abbott, along with Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, will accompany him during the visit, with the GOP senators expected to travel to their home state with Trump aboard Air Force One.
It is fairly routine for presidents to inspect disaster areas from the air, a strategy that helps alleviate logistical pressures on local authorities.
Rescuers are still searching for victims (Image: ABC)
President Joe Biden, who preceded Trump, surveyed the damage caused by Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina and Hurricane Milton in Florida last fall from the air before meeting with disaster response officials and victims on the ground.
However, Trump has also leveraged past disaster response efforts to initiate political attacks.
While still a candidate striving to regain the presidency, Trump visited North Carolina post-Helene last year and accused the Biden administration of withholding disaster aid from victims in predominantly Republican areas.
