Texas flood survivors share harrowing stories, search continues for those still missing

As officials continue to confirm deaths and search for those missing after the Texas Hill Country floods on Friday, locals have started to share stories of incredible acts of bravery and heroism amid a weekend of anguish.

Julian Ryan and his fiancé Christina Wilson were at their home in Ingram, when water began rushing through the doors.

As the water was quickly rising, Ryan, 27, punched through a window to get Wilson, their children, and his mother out of the flooded house, according to Houston outlet KHOU-11.

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Wilson told the outlet the glass cut one of Ryan's arteries and his arm was badly injured. Calls to 911 went unanswered.

"By 6 (a.m.), he looked at me and the kids and my mother-in-law and said, ‘I’m sorry, I’m not going to make it. I love y’all,’" Wilson told KHOU-11.

Ryan is being remembered as a "true hero," who was dedicated to his family, according to a GoFundMe created for the family.

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Erin Burgess, who lives in Ingram, told FOX 29 San Antonio she wouldn't have survived if it weren't for her teenage son.

Burgess said that water poured into her home within minutes, forcing her family to seek refuge outside. They hung onto a tree for an hour before water fell low enough for her to hike to a neighbor's house, the outlet reported.

She credited her 19-year-old son, who is more than 6 feet tall, with saving her life.

"That's the only thing that saved me, was hanging on to him," Burgess said.

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Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Saturday issued a proclamation declaring Sunday a "day of prayer," in response to the floods.

"Texans are known for their faith, strength, and resilience," Abbott wrote in a statement. "Even as floodwaters raged, neighbors rushed in to rescue, comfort, and bring hope. In times of loss, we turn to God for comfort, healing and strength. I urge every Texan to join me in prayer this Sunday—for the lives lost, for those still missing, for the recovery of our communities, and for the safety of those on the front lines."

Here are some of those still missing, as of Saturday night.

Greta Toranzo's mother, Ellen Toranzo, told Fox News Digital her daughter is still missing after being lost in the floods at Camp Mystic.

As of Saturday afternoon, Ellen said she had not received word of her daughter's whereabouts.

The photo her mother provided was taken at the camp just a few days before the flood.

Carrie Hanna told Fox News Digital that her daughter, Hadley, remains missing after the floods at Camp Mystic.

The photo Carrie provided to Fox News Digital was taken shortly before Hadley left for camp, on her last day of school.

Grandparents Mike Harber, 76, and Charlene Harber, 74, are missing after the Texas floods, according to a report from affiliate FOX 4 Dallas. 

The couple's granddaughters, Brooke and Blaire Harber, were visiting them at the time and have been found dead.

Robert and Joni Brake, of Abilene, Texas, were reportedly staying at the HTR Campground in Kerry County and are missing following the floods, according to FOX 4.

Rob and Melissa Kamin, from the Houston area, have also been reported missing after staying at the HTR Campground in Kerry County during the floods, FOX 4 reported.

Antisemitic attackers violently target synagogue, Israeli restaurant in Australia

A series of antisemitic attacks in Australia, including an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne and a violent raid on an Israeli-owned restaurant, has Jews in the Australian city living in fear and demanding officials take action. 

The first attack occurred when assailants started a fire outside the exterior doors of the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. Around 20 worshipers were eating Shabbat dinner inside, according to SBS News. The police have not yet categorized the incident a terror attack.

Avi Yemini, chief reporter for Rebel News Online in Australia, said the fire brigade’s rapid response kept "yet another synagogue in this city from being destroyed in a terror attack, like the firebombing of the Adas Israel Synagogue last year, which remains unsolved."

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Later that same evening, some 20 masked extremists terrorized diners at Israeli-owned restaurant Miznon. According to The Jerusalem Post, protesters chanted "death to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces)" and threw chairs and glassware at the restaurant.

Yemeni told Fox News Digital protesters were "causing absolute mayhem" and escalated "to violence against patrons and the destruction of property, ultimately sending terrified diners running for safety." 

One protester was arrested by Victoria Police but was released and issued a summons.

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SBS News also reported that Victoria Police are investigating a third incident, in which offenders set fire to three vehicles, destroying one, and spray-painted a nearby wall. A police commander declined to say whether the painting’s content was antisemitic but described all three incidents as containing "inferences of antisemitism." 

Alex Ryvchin, co-CEO of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ), issued a statement on X and urged that "all sides of politics and all Australians to condemn these deplorable crimes." 

"Those who chant for death are not peace activists. Those who would burn houses of prayer with families inside do not seek an end to war," Ryvchin said. 

Noting the "violent ideology at work in our country that operates on the fringes of politics and social movements," Ryvchin said "those responsible cannot be reasoned with or appeased. They must be confronted with the full force of the law."

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Yemini said Friday’s attacks demonstrate how "emboldened" protesters have become. 

"Since October 7, Victoria Police — under the direction of the government — have allowed anti-Israel protesters to effectively hold Melbourne hostage," he said. 

Gideon Sa’ar, the Israeli minister of foreign affairs, also strongly condemned the attacks, saying there "have been too many antisemitic attacks in Australia," and he called on the Australian government to "do more to fight this poisonous disease."

Between Oct. 1, 2023, and Sept. 30, 2024, the ECAJ counted 2,062 antisemitic incidents in Australia.

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