Survivors cling to life as Texas storms turn deadly: 'I had to swim through the window'

HUNT, Texas — Like others who were in homes or vacationing over the July 4 weekend at Texas’ Guadalupe River, Christian Fell, 25, was jolted awake by the crack of thunder. Limited time: Save 25% on NBC News subscription Get exclusive reporting, live Q&As and ad-free reading. It was about 3 a.m., just a couple hours since Fell had gone to sleep alone in his grandmother’s home on the river in Hunt, Texas. The rest of his family was staying upriver at another house.

AI Summary

Main Idea: Texas flood survivors, including Christian Fell, describe how fast-rising Guadalupe River water turned a holiday night into a life-or-death fight to escape.

Key Points:

Christian Fell woke to find water pouring into his grandmother’s river home and had to swim through a broken window to get out.
He said he could not reach 911 help right away and spent hours clinging to a meter box above floodwater and dangerous wires.
Matt Meagher and Erin Burgess were also trapped by the flood, with water rushing through their home and sweeping them toward a tree and then a neighbor’s porch.
The floods killed dozens of people, including 15 children, and left homes, cars, and neighborhoods badly damaged.

Impact on the People

Negative Impact

Deadly Texas flooding can kill residents, destroy homes and cars, and strain local rescue teams and public services.

Positive Impact

Public attention may push stronger flood warnings, better emergency planning, and safer river-area housing.

How did each entity affect people?

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Primary:
Christian Fellperson
Major:
Erin Burgessperson
Major:
Matt Meagherperson

Candidate Entities3 candidates · 5 weighted vote min · 70% decision

Christian FellpersonPrimaryEvaluated
Central survivor whose firsthand account drives the article’s narrative about the flooding.
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Erin BurgesspersonMajorEvaluated
Named resident described in a major survival account during the flood.
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Matt MeagherpersonMajorEvaluated
Named resident described in a major survival account during the flood.
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