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Galveston Island Beach Patrol warns of rip currents for Memorial Day swimmers

ABC13 Houston
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Galveston Island Beach Patrol warns of rip currents for Memorial Day swimmers

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — Beachgoers are being warned to watch out for rip currents on Memorial Day.

Galveston Island Beach Patrol has issued a Yellow Flag Warning, which means there are moderate surf or currents present. Previously, a Red Flag Warning was issued, and it could continue to change throughout the day. Beachgoers are being asked to pay close attention to the warnings in their area.

Two people drowned in the gulf in Galveston over the weekend.

Beach patrol said a 19-year-old woman was body surfing with her brother on the seawall near 76th Street when she started struggling in the water on Sunday.

Her brother and another person were able to pull her to shore and give her CPR, but sadly, the woman died at the hospital.

Officials identified the victim as Yamileth Ramirez. Authorities said she was originally from Honduras but had been living in Houston.

Not even 24 hours before that, beach patrol said five people were caught in a rip current near 24th street middday on Saturday. Four of them were rescued, but one man — 26-year-old Joshua Acevedo from Leesville, LA — sadly died.

An ABC13 crew spoke to a man who said he heard someone calling for help and rushed in to try to save one of the swimmers.

She was already going under, saying she didn’t want to die, she didn’t want to die. ‘Please, I don’t want to die.’ And I was like, ‘I got you,'” Shannon Tucker said. “I actually reached out my hand. I grabbed her. She jumped on my back and at that time, it pulled me down and I couldn’t breathe. ‘Hey, just hold onto my shoulder and kind of glide and we are going to try to get out of this current.'”

Thankfully, both Tucker and the woman made it out of the water.

Authorities say more dangerous conditions are expected on Memorial Day. Adults who are good swimmers should only get in the water waist deep. Children and anyone who isn’t a good swimmer should not get in at all, officials said.

Beachgoers should also swim near lifeguards and away from the piers and jetties, authorities warned.

Getting caught in a rip current can be scary, but it’s important to stay calm in order to get out.

A rip current is a channel of water that flows away from the shoreline. They can sweep even the strongest swimmers away from the shore.

So, what do you do if you’re caught in one?

Experts say rip currents will not pull you under the water, so relax and don’t swim against it.

You can escape by swimming parallel to the shore, then at an angle back towards the beach.

If you can’t get out, float on your back and wave for help.

“We just ask that you stay really, really far away any kind of pier or jetty and stay close to shore,” Chief Peter Davis with Galveston Beach Patrol said. “And by close, I mean good swimmers who are adults, not more than their waist. Kids and non-swimmers should stay out.”

If you see someone stuck in a rip current, the National Weather Service says you should:

  • Don’t become a victim while trying to help someone else
  • Get help from a lifeguard
  • If one is not present, call 911 and try to direct the victim to swim parallel to the sore
  • Throw the person something that floats

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

1 dead, dozens rescued on Galveston beaches amid dangerous currents, officials say

ABC13 Houston
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1 dead, dozens rescued on Galveston beaches amid dangerous currents, officials say

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — At least a dozen people have been reportedly rescued from Galveston’s beach waters because of strong rip currents.

Galveston County Beach Patrol Chief Peter Davis told ABC13 that lifeguards performed CPR on one of the rescues who later died at the hospital.

Officials confirmed the man was visiting from Louisiana.

Davis is warning people to be aware of the water dangers and to watch their children at the beach this weekend.

He said a red flag warning is posted at the beaches, signifying the presence of strong wind and strong current or large surf.

Davis recommended that adult swimmers should stay in water no more than waist deep and non-swimmers and children should be kept along the surf line.

“We have this really rough water, very strong rip currents, big surf, and it’s been rough and is going to be rough through the weekend,” he said.

Davis said that all 32 lifeguard stations are fully staffed.

For news updates, follow Jiovanni Lieggi on Facebook, X and Instagram.

Galveston updates its parking enforcement with mail-based parking ticket system starting June 8th

ABC13 Houston
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Galveston updates its parking enforcement with mail-based parking ticket system starting June 8th

GALVESTON, Texas (KTRK) — If you’re going to Galveston to beat the heat this summer, you may want to check your mailbox after you visit.

For beachgoers this Memorial Day weekend, parking tickets are one of the last things they want to see on their vehicles.

“If I get one, I won’t be too happy, but we paid for parking,” visitor Mesam Ahsan said.

From 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, if you plan to park on the gulf side of the Seawall or parts of the north side, expect to pay. If not, a $33 ticket could be waiting.

“Do they still put them under your windshield wiper? I don’t know,” Galveston resident Kyra Elliott said. “I haven’t had one in years.”

You won’t find them under your windshield in about two weeks. Starting June 8th, the city plans to use USPS instead.

“They’re going to mail us a ticket? I thought it would be online,” Ahsan said. “I was going to be like, ‘Oh, they’re saving paper,’ but I guess if they’re going to mail it to us, that’s not good.”

City leaders approved the change for the Seawall last month. The Strand and other parts of the island will still distribute tickets on your vehicle.

“For now, the plan is just for the Seawall,” Galveston spokesperson Marissa Barnett explained. “Of course, I think, that’s always an open discussion if it seems to be very successful.”

Officials said by doing this along the Seawall, enforcement doesn’t have to block a traffic lane, and it’s safer. “It reduces the interactions between those that are getting a parking ticket and enforcement,” Barnett said.

Instead of two weeks to pay, the city is giving people three weeks because of the mail.

“I don’t think I would like that,” Elliott said. “What if it gets lost in the mail and you’re in more trouble.”

Local leaders have raised concerns lately about USPS. ABC13 has heard from several neighbors who have had mail issues.

Steve Shellist from the Shellist Law Firm said if the ticket gets lost in the mail, you could face fees, fines, or other penalties.

“If someone doesn’t respond to a ticket it’s like they’ve said, ‘Hey, I’m guilty.’ The court can order it as such and then it’ll have that legal effect on their record,” Shellist explained.

Shellist said if that happens, and you visit the island later this summer and get or boot or tow, keep cool.

“My advice is, you’re going to have to pay to get the boot off your car,” Shellist said. “Then, you’re going to have to go to court and try to figure out what your rights are.”

Late fees start at $8, but changes could come if city officials notice more people are getting them.

“We know how many we’ve written and we can see what the response rate is and see if we have to adjust our plans,” Barnett said.

To avoid a parking ticket, you’ll have to pay $2 an hour, or $16 for the day by an app, website, or phone call to 866-234-7275. You can also get an annual pass for $45.

You could also avoid having to pay to park, by going to the opposite side of the Seawall on the north side where there’s free parking between 12th and 19th Streets, 33rd and 39th Streets, 53rd and 61st Streets, and 85th and 91st Streets.

For updates on this story, follow Nick Natario on Facebook, X and Instagram.

TSA announces new record for most travelers screened in a single day

Que Onda Editorial
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TSA announces new record for most travelers screened in a single day

By Indira Zaldivar & Edward Saenz
The Transportation Security Administration announced a new record for the highest number of travelers screened in a single day. On Friday, TSA officers screened 2,951,163 individuals at checkpoints nationwide, surpassing the previous record set on November 26, 2023, during the Thanksgiving holiday weekend.

TSA public affairs spokesperson Lisa Farbstein shared the milestone on X, formerly known as Twitter, stating, “If you flew yesterday, congratulations, you were part of a record-setting day. @TSA officers screened more people at airport security checkpoints nationwide yesterday (May 24th) than any other day in our 22-year history.”

This achievement underscores a significant uptick in air travel, with five of the top ten busiest travel days in TSA’s history occurring in 2024 alone. This trend highlights the growing demand for air travel and the TSA’s crucial role in maintaining security and efficiency at airports across the country.

Dangerous heat and rip currents possible over the long holiday weekend

ABC13 Houston
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Dangerous heat and rip currents possible over the long holiday weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The heat and humidity intensifies over the long holiday weekend, and a Heat Advisory is likely to be issued by the National Weather Service both Sunday and Memorial Day.

What is the outlook for Memorial Day weekend?

More heat, more humidity, especially on the holiday. Memorial Day is predicted to have a high of 96 and a heat index of 111, and while that wouldn’t be unusual for July or August, it is unusual for May. In fact, if that heat index prediction verifies, it will be the hottest May heat index reading in Houston’s recorded history. The current record holder is 109 from May 1996. While it should stay dry Saturday and Sunday, there is a 20% chance of an afternoon or evening downpour on Memorial Day. We’re eyeing the possibility that any storm that pops up could be severe with large hail and damaging winds, so for now it’s a small chance for a big storm.

When could more cooling downpours return?

Just about every day next week will feature a chance for rain, but look for those chances to especially climb Wednesday and beyond.

Hurricane season is right around the corner! Anything I should be aware of now?

There’s nothing threatening in the Gulf of Mexico right now. There is a disturbance between the Bahamas and Bermuda that the National Hurricane Center gives a 10% chance of formation over the next 7 days. Even so, that storm is expected to get picked up by the jet stream and move north and east over the Atlantic. Otherwise, what you need to know this week is that NOAA released their Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook for the 2024 season this week and they are predicting an extremely active season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes possible.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:

Southeast Texas

Houston

Harris County

Galveston County

Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties

Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties

Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

Is it the landlord’s or your responsibility to fix storm damage to rented property? Expert explains

ABC13 Houston
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Is it the landlord’s or your responsibility to fix storm damage to rented property? Expert explains

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As some are just at the start of the long road to recovery after last week’s storm, it is essential to know, if you rent, what you are responsible for fixing versus what your landlord should take care of.

“I came back, and everything was destroyed,” explained Selena Obregon, who lives in Spring Branch with her husband and four kids.

It’s been a long week for many of us as we went days without power and dealt with damage from the powerful storm that blew through.

“I am going to go ahead and try to see if I can get my food stamps replaced because all of my food got damaged,” explained Obregon.

Like Selena, many renters are now figuring out their responsibility to replace and what should be up to the landlord.

Since the power outage, in this case, was caused by a natural disaster, renters will have to pay to replace their spoiled food.

However, if you rent, you can apply for FEMA’s Serious Need Assistance which may provide $750 that can be used to buy food.

Regarding storm damage to your apartment or home you rent, it is the landlord’s responsibility.

“They are the ones that need to make those repairs, so making sure that you are also putting all of this in writing, noting that to your landlord and giving them the information of what was broken or what was damaged by the storm,” explains Julia Orduna, the Southeast Texas Regional Director of Texas Housers.

Orduna explains that documenting damage and constantly communicating with your landlord is especially important after a disaster.

“If you are putting money into a home that is not your property, make sure you are communicating with the landlord as well if you are spending money on mucking and gutting, if you had to take any of the debris out, all of that should be well documented,” says Orduna.

When it comes to damaged personal property like household items, clothes, or electronics, you are responsible, though you may be able to get some help from your renters’ insurance or FEMA.

If your home is unlivable after this storm and you have to move out, Orduna advises people to take time to understand their lease and realize that you do still have to pay rent while repairs are underway.

You also should talk to your landlord about what options you have if you’ll need to be out of your home for an extended period of time.

Also, be sure to document all expenses if you do have to leave. FEMA also has displacement assistance, which are up front funds to help with immediate housing.

This derecho is yet another test of resilience, especially for those living paycheck to paycheck.

“They’re not used to the hot and I haven’t worked either because over there by my area, they don’t have no power either,” explained Obregon.

For more news updates, follow Courtney Carpenter on Facebook, X and Instagram.“

Do you have questions about your rent? Are you struggling to get help from a landlord? Send us your questions, and we will look into it. Click here: https://abc13.com/post/renters-rights-responsible-damage-sustained-houston-texas-property/14865135/

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Friendswood teen facing blindness after chemical attack

ABC13 Houston
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Friendswood teen facing blindness after chemical attack

FRIENDSWOOD, Texas (KTRK) — A Friendswood teen could potentially go blind after getting chemicals thrown in his eyes.

According to the Friendswood Police Department, the alleged attack was carried out by someone the victim called a friend.

Branden Jolly, 17, is now facing an injury to a disabled charge because the victim, 18-year-old Brody Morgan, has autism.

“Kids with autism don’t always know how to make good friend choices,” Amy Morgan, the victim’s mother, said.

On the afternoon of May 20, Brody was walking through his Friendswood neighborhood with two teens from school. His mom said they frantically returned home with her screaming son.

“All I heard was he had a substance thrown in his face, which I was told was salt,” Amy Morgan said.

She said she attempted to flush his eyes with water and then saline, but nothing seemed to be working. It wasn’t until she put her son in the car that she got the full story.

Brody claimed one of the teens stole a package from a house down the street. He said Jolly decided to open it, and inside was a tube with powder.

Court documents state Jolly spilled it on Brody’s shirt, which caused Brody to push Jolly away. Police said that then prompted Jolly to throw the powder in Brody’s face.

“We went into the emergency room, and they immediately realized that it was not salt, and they kept trying to get from me what it was, and I had no idea,” Amy Morgan said.

Video Game Rentals Delivered

Doctors would later find out the chemical in Brody’s eyes was a drain declogger.

ABC13 spoke to Jolly’s mom over the phone. While she wasn’t there, she believes the whole incident was a horrible accident.

She said the substance fell out of her son’s hand after Brody “attacked him.”

“She’s his mom. She’s going to try to protect her son, and I don’t blame her,” Amy Morgan said, adding that she has sympathy for Jolly and his family. “I know all of this has to be hard on them, but they are not having to deal with a child that is possibly going to lose his vision or scarring burns on his face.”

Brody’s injuries are very severe, and his recovery process is unpredictable.

“The kind of chemicals they were can still continue to break down,” Amy Morgan said.

Court documents show the other teen told police Jolly threw the substance intentionally. Those documents also show the packaging was clearly labeled drain declogger.

Jolly’s family sent a statement to ABC13 that read in part:

“Our family is very distraught over the details of this case, for both of our families. I’m very saddened by the entire event, and heart goes out to Brody and his family. I believe this incident was NOT an act of malicious intent by my son to harm his friend but an accident resulting from the choices made by all parties involved.”

For updates on this story, follow Alex Bozarjian on Facebook, X and Instagram.

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

This steamy week turns even hotter for the long holiday weekend

ABC13 Houston
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This steamy week turns even hotter for the long holiday weekend

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The heat and humidity intensifies heading into the long holiday weekend where Heat Advisories could be issued ahead of Memorial Day.

Friday will be another hot one with morning lows near 80 and daytime highs topping out in the low 90s with heat index values exceeding 100. Rain chances remain less than 20% for Southeast Texas, but there could be some big storms again popping up in North Texas.

Are there any more rain opportunities this week?

Not really. This heat ridge is going nowhere, and the humidity will only get worse. We’ll have to wait until next week for the pattern to change and storm chances to return.

What is the outlook for Memorial Day weekend?

It’s possible we could go under a Heat Advisory, especially on Memorial Day with a predicted high of 96 and a heat index of 111. If that heat index prediction verifies, it will be the hottest May heat index reading in Houston’s recorded history. The current record holder is 109 from May 1996. While it should stay dry Saturday and Sunday, there is a 20% chance of an afternoon downpour on Memorial Day. We’re eyeing the possibility that any storm that pops up could be severe with large hail and damaging winds, so for now it’s a small chance for a big storm.

Hurricane season is right around the corner! Anything I should be aware of now?

There’s nothing threatening in the Gulf of Mexico right now. There’s a swirling area of clouds over Cuba and Puerto Rico that the hurricane center has given a 10% chance of formation over the next 7 days. Even so, that storm is expected to get picked up by the jet stream and move north and east over the Atlantic. Otherwise, what you need to know this week is that NOAA released their Atlantic Hurricane Season Outlook for the 2024 season this week and they are predicting an extremely active season with 17-25 named storms, 8-13 hurricanes and 4-7 major hurricanes possible.

13 ALERT RADAR MAPS:

Southeast Texas

Houston

Harris County

Galveston County

Montgomery/Walker/San Jacinto/Polk/Grimes Counties

Fort Bend/Wharton/Colorado Counties

Brazoria/Matagorda Counties

This story comes from our news partner ABC13 Houston.

ABC13 and ¡Que Onda! Magazine join forces to empower Latin and Hispanic voices

ABC13 Houston
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ABC13 and ¡Que Onda! Magazine join forces to empower Latin and Hispanic voices

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — As Houston’s News Leader, ABC13 has a strong commitment to covering all our diverse communities.

Thursday, ABC13 Houston announced a content partnership with ¡Que Onda! Magazine, highlighting its inclusive storytelling and Eyewitness News’ nearly 70 years of reporting in southeast Texas.

Since 1993, ¡Que Onda! has served Latin and Hispanic readers by bringing bilingual Houston stories, culture and community resources to newsstands.

Together, we’ll focus on bringing you stories acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of Latinos and Hispanics in the Houston area.

CLICK HERE: Read Que Onda’s May 23 edition

¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edición 1299

The two news organizations will share digital content, promote community events of value, and innovate how we serve all our diverse audiences.

Nearly 46% of Houstonians now identify as Hispanic or Latino, according to Census data.

“ABC13 is proud to be Houston’s news leader and if we’re going to stay on top, we must reflect and serve the needs of our diverse communities. We must understand the stories that matter most to Latin and Hispanic viewers and bring more of those stories to wider audiences with great partners like !Que Onda!.”

ABC13 is celebrating 70 years of service to the Houston community this year.

The station was the first to hire a female Hispanic reporter in the Houston market when Elma Barrera joined the team in 1983.

Today, Eyewitness News is proud to have deep roots in Houston’s Hispanic and Latin communities, with many anchors and reporters growing up and raising families here.

Meet the Esparza family, ¡Que Onda! Magazine publishers

¡Que Onda! Magazine celebrated 30 years of service in September, and was recently awarded proclamations by Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris Co. Commissioner Lesley Briones.

Publisher Gabriel Esparza said he is thrilled by the opportunity this partnership brings as his magazine looks forward to its next 30 years.

“We are honored to be partnering with Houston’s news leader, ABC13. Our goal is to inform Houstonians about the Hispanic community and show them the impact of culture, business, and stories that make this community special,” Esparza said. “We plan to use both of our resources to spread awareness through news, promotions, events, and celebrations.”

For more information, visit Que Onda Magazine’s website.

¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edición 1299

Adversavvy
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¡Que Onda! Magazine Houston – edición 1299

Gracias por SEGUIRNOS, este artículo contiene la edición 1299 de la revista digital de HOUSTON de ¡Que Onda! Magazine.

Del 23 de mayo al 29 de mayo del 2024

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Houston’s premier Hispanic news network, dedicated to keeping you informed with the latest updates on local and national breaking news, community events, entertainment, chisme, and much more. We strive to be your trusted source for engaging and timely content that connects with our vibrant community and celebrates the culture and stories that matter most to you.

Contact us: contact@queondamagazine.com

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