'Flooding is our number one natural disaster' | Breaking down the voter-approved Harris County Flood Control District tax rate hike

'Flooding is our number one natural disaster' |  Breaking down the voter-approved Harris County Flood Control District tax rate hike

The nearly 60% tax increase means about $60 per year for the average Harris County homeowner. HOUSTON — In an era of ever-skeptical voters, the Harris County Flood Control District is grateful so-called Proposition A was approved Tuesday night. “We know that voters made a thoughtful decision,” HCFCD executive director Tina Petersen said. She said the nearly 60% hike in the agency’s tax rate will pay for, among other things, expanded maintenance throughout the system….

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Powerful Category 3 Hurricane Rafael knocks out power in Cuba as it heads to the island

Powerful Category 3 Hurricane Rafael knocks out power in Cuba as it heads to the island

8 minutes ago Photo: NOAA HAVANA (AP) — Rafael strengthened Wednesday into a powerful Category 3 hurricane ahead of its expected landfall in western Cuba, where it was forecast to bring “life-threatening” storm surges, winds and flash floods. The storm, which knocked out power and dumped rain on the Cayman Islands and Jamaica, churned past the Isle of Youth and was expected to make landfall in the coming hours on Wednesday. Even before the storm…

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NC Forest Service warns of increased wildfire risk in western part of state after Helene

NC Forest Service warns of increased wildfire risk in western part of state after Helene

It has been over a month since the storm ravaged western North Carolina. NORTH CAROLINA, USA — According to the North Carolina Forest Service, the potential for increased wildfire activity in western North Carolina is above normal in November in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The Forest Service says the increased fire risk can be attributed to the amount of debris on the ground in the wake of the storm. They also say damage caused…

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First responders searched for hours after being told two people were swept away in flash flood

First responders searched for hours after being told two people were swept away in flash flood

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KENS/images/216259db-f6e3-4cf6-aad0-1c2e4301d4f4/20241105T122637/216259db-f6e3-4cf6-aad0-1c2e4301d4f4_750x422.jpg Officials say that at least five homeless people were camped in the drainage ditch when the water came. SAN ANTONIO — First responders reportedly searched for hours after being told that at least two other people were caught up in a flash flood late Monday evening and swept away. Firefighters did rescue one person who told them they “think there may have been other people with them.” Officials say that at least five homeless…

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First responders searching for two people caught in flash flood

First responders searching for two people caught in flash flood

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KENS/images/216259db-f6e3-4cf6-aad0-1c2e4301d4f4/20241105T122637/216259db-f6e3-4cf6-aad0-1c2e4301d4f4_750x422.jpg Officials say that at least five homeless people were camped in the drainage ditch when the water came. SAN ANTONIO — First responders are searching for at least two people that were caught up in a flash flood late Monday evening. Officials say that at least five homeless people were camped in the drainage ditch near I-10 and Tioga Drive when the water came. Firefighters responded around 10:20 p.m. to search the area. Three…

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Some evacuations lifted as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Some evacuations lifted as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Around 65 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Some evacuations have been lifted as crews continue to contain a 400-acre wildfire in Bastrop County that started Sunday. Many people were forced to leave their homes after the Hudson Fire started around noon on Sunday about 8 miles east of Bastrop, just north of State Highway 71. The Texas A&M Forest Service said Monday that a structure…

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Storm in the Caribbean is on a track to likely hit Cuba as a hurricane

Storm in the Caribbean is on a track to likely hit Cuba as a hurricane

8 seconds ago Photo: NOAA SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A new tropical storm was expected to form Monday in the Caribbean and bring heavy rain to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands before strengthening to a hurricane and likely hitting Cuba, forecasters said. The storm would be named Rafael. Later in the week it also is expected to bring heavy rainfall to Florida and portions of the U.S. Southeast, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center…

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400-acre wildfire near Bastrop State Park leads to evacuations

400-acre wildfire near Bastrop State Park leads to evacuations

From KUT News: A wildfire fueled by high winds is spreading near Bastrop State Park, the Texas A&M Forest Service says. The Hudson Fire, which has burned 400 acres as of 1:26 a.m. Monday, is 20% contained and moving north between Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park, officials said. The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, which is posting updates on its Facebook page, says there are evacuations in effect along Park Road 1C…

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Some evacuations lifted as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Some evacuations lifted as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KVUE/images/d537797f-defd-420e-bcd3-2bf43e769fce/20241105T001723/d537797f-defd-420e-bcd3-2bf43e769fce_750x422.jpg Around 65 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Some evacuations have been lifted as crews continue to contain a 400-acre wildfire in Bastrop County that started Sunday. Many people were forced to leave their homes after the Hudson Fire started around noon on Sunday about 8 miles east of Bastrop, just north of State Highway 71. The Texas A&M Forest Service said Monday that a…

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Crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County ahead of severe weather threat Monday night

Crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County ahead of severe weather threat Monday night

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KVUE/images/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d/20241103T220127/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d_750x422.jpg Around 65 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Many people were forced to evacuate their homes as crews work to contain a 400-acre wildfire that started in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – began just after noon, eight miles east of Bastrop city limits and north of State Highway 71. In a…

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Crews continue to work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Crews continue to work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KVUE/images/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d/20241103T220127/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d_750x422.jpg Around 65 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Many people were forced to evacuate their homes as crews work to contain a 400-acre wildfire that started in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – began just after noon, eight miles east of Bastrop city limits and north of State Highway 71. In a…

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Multiple homes evacuated as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Multiple homes evacuated as crews work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

https://media.tegna-media.com/assets/KVUE/images/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d/20241103T220127/afd16e10-6631-466f-9291-5a0d1076e20d_750x422.jpg Around 40 to 50 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Many people were forced to evacuate their homes as crews work to contain a 400-acre wildfire that started in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – began just after noon, eight miles east of Bastrop city limits, north of SH 71. As of…

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250-acre wildfire near Bastrop State Park leads to evacuations

250-acre wildfire near Bastrop State Park leads to evacuations

A wildfire fueled by high winds is spreading near Bastrop State Park, the Texas A&M Forest Service says. The Hudson Fire, which has burned 250 acres as of 5:10 p.m. Sunday, is 5% contained and moving north between Bastrop State Park and Buescher State Park, officials said. The Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, which is posting updates on its Facebook page, says there are evacuations in effect along Park Road 1C between Alum Creek…

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Evacuations underway as crews work to contain 100-acre wildfire in Bastrop County

Evacuations underway as crews work to contain 100-acre wildfire in Bastrop County

The evacuations were initially put in place for the area along Park Road 1C between Alum Creek Road and Cottletown Road, but were expanded as the fire grew. AUSTIN, Texas — Evacuations are underway as crews work to contain a 50-acre wildfire that sparked in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Bastrop County Office of Emergency Management, crews responded to the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – burning south of Park Road 1C…

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Crews continue to work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Crews continue to work to contain massive wildfire in Bastrop County

Around 65 homes were evacuated as the fire spread to 400 acres near Smithville. AUSTIN, Texas — Many people were forced to evacuate their homes as crews work to contain a 400-acre wildfire that started in Bastrop County Sunday afternoon. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, the wildfire – named the Hudson Fire – began just after noon, eight miles east of Bastrop city limits and north of State Highway 71. In a media…

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