pysu 14 killed, 124 missing after barrier lake burst due to Ragasa
14 killed, 124 missing after barrier lake burst due to Ragasa
TAIPEI, Taiwan — At least 14 people were killed when a decades-old lake barrier burst in Taiwan, a government official said Wednesday, after Super Typhoon Ragasa pounded the island with torrential rain.
The barrier lake in eastern Hualien county burst Tuesday, washing away a bridge and sweeping into a town with a trail of thick sludge and mud.
“It was like a volcano erupting…. the muddy floodwaters came roaring straight into the first floor of my house,” Hsu Cheng-hsiung, 55, a neighbourhood leader of Kuang Fu township, told AFP.
Lee Kuan-ting, a Hualien County Government press official, said 14 people were killed and 18 injured.
The National Fire Agency said 124 people were missing.
“It was a disaster movie,” a local resident Yen Shau, 31, told AFP.
He said an hour before the lake burst, many people were still at the local supermarket and grocery store.
“Within minutes, the water had risen to halfway up the first floor,” he said.
He said he couldn’t sleep Tuesday night for fear of another deluge from the lake, and on Wednesday was shoveling mud from his home.
“The mud was just too deep, too deep to dig out,” he added.
Footage released by the fire agency showed flooded streets, half-submerged cars and uprooted trees.
Across Taiwan, more than 7,600 people were evacuated due to Typhoon Ragasa.
Taiwan experiences frequent tropical storms from July to October.
Typhoon Danas, which hit the island in early July, killed two people and injured hundreds as the storm dumped more than 50 centimetres of rain across the south over a weekend.
Over 300 severe storm reports across US as dangerous weather continues
More thunderstorms and extreme heat are in the forecast for Tuesday.
There were more than 300 severe storm reports in the United States on Monday, mostly along the East Coast from New Hampshire to South Carolina, as threatening weather and dangerous heat plagues the nation.
Gusty winds of 60 to 66 miles per hour were reported from New York to North Carolina, with golf ball-sized hail damaging cars in the latter.
Some areas in New Jersey received close to half a foot of rain, which flooded roadways. There were even tornado warnings in the Garden State but, as of Tuesday morning, no actual twisters reported.
More thunderstorms are in the forecast for Tuesday, with lightning, flooding rain and gusty winds expected from North Carolina all the way up to New England. The areas along Interstate 95 will begin seeing storms develop after 3 p.m. ET that will last into the night.
The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from Delaware to Maine, where local rainfall amounts of 4 inches are possible.
MORE: Fourth of July travel forecast: What to know before hitting the road or heading to the airport
Another severe weather system moving eastward across the country will hit the central Plains and parts of the South on Tuesday, from South Dakota to Kansas, Oklahoma and Arkansas. Damaging winds and huge hail will likely be the biggest threat there, though a few tornadoes can't be ruled out. Monday's storms spawned seven reported tornadoes in Wyoming and Nebraska.
Meanwhile, a heat wave continues in the South and is expected to expand over the coming days, moving into southern parts of the Midwest and the Mid-South, including Memphis and Nashville in Tennessee as well as parts of southern Illinois and Indiana. The hottest days will be Tuesday through Thursday, with temperatures forecast to feel like nearly 120 degrees Fahrenheit in some areas across the southern half of the country.
MORE: Extreme heat safety tips: What to know about heat stroke vs. heat exhaustion
As of Tuesday morning, 13 states were under a heat alert from Arizona up to southern Illinois and down to northern Florida. Major cities such as Houston, Austin, New Orleans and even Orlando could see record high temperatures on Tuesday.
A record high of 111 degrees Fahrenheit was reported in Del Rio, Texas, on Monday for the ninth consecutive day. Another record high of 112 degrees Fahrenheit was reported in San Angelo, Texas.
The extreme heat will continue into the weekend for parts of Texas and the Deep South.
UNBELIEVABLE! — Stephen Colbert shocks everyone by announcing a new talk show and officially joining forces with Jasmine Crockett after being removed from The Late Show by CBS!
UNBELIEVABLE! — Stephen Colbert shocks everyone by announcing a new talk show and officially joining forces with Jasmine Crockett after being removed from The Late Show by CBS!
Could this bold comeback make CBS regret their decision? Colbert says it will change late-night TV forever!
The unexpected return sees Colbert teaming up with internet star Jasmine Crockett for an all-new program.
A seasoned comedian once seen as “past his prime” and a fast-rising political figure — is this the most surprising mix in late-night TV history? Or is it the big change the entertainment world has been waiting for?
Their statement, “We don’t need CBS’s permission anymore,” has left Hollywood stunned…
Los Angeles, CA – August 2025 — In a twist worthy of late-night television itself, veteran comedian
The announcement came just months after CBS confirmed the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, citing “programming shifts” and “creative restructuring.” Many believed Colbert would take a long hiatus from television. Instead, he’s back — and louder than ever.
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/38243c75368c563d94a3249c6e9782ab/Crockett%20House%20Oversight%20Committee%20REUTERS.jpg)
A Comeback with a Twist
Colbert revealed the new project during a surprise livestream, sitting beside Crockett in what appeared to be a mock late-night set. The chemistry between them was instantly apparent — Colbert’s razor-sharp wit bouncing off Crockett’s unapologetic, high-energy commentary.
“We don’t need CBS’s permission anymore,” Colbert declared, a statement that sent shockwaves through Hollywood and lit up social media feeds worldwide.
Why This Pairing is Making Headlines
Colbert, long considered a staple of political satire, was once branded by critics as “past his prime.” Crockett, meanwhile, has become a breakout online star known for viral political takedowns and fearless social commentary.
To some, their pairing is the most surprising mix in late-night TV history. To others, it’s exactly what the industry needs: a reinvention that blends the old-school craft of sharp monologue comedy with the real-time speed and punch of internet culture.
“He’s the steady anchor, I’m the hurricane,” Crockett laughed during the announcement. “And together, we’re going to stir the waters until everyone’s awake.”
About the New Show
Online TV streaming services
Tentatively titled “Colbert & Crockett: Unscripted”, the program is expected to launch on a major streaming platform in early 2026. According to insider leaks, the format will include:
No corporate censors — giving the duo freedom to tackle controversial topics head-on.
Audience interaction in real time, blending studio filming with live-streamed Q&A segments.
Unfiltered guest lineups, featuring everyone from political leaders to social media personalities and grassroots activists.
Rumors suggest the show’s pilot will be filmed in front of a live audience in Austin, Texas — a location chosen to reflect its mix of tradition, rebellion, and cultural vibrancy.
Industry Reactions
Hollywood insiders are buzzing about whether this daring move could make CBS regret its decision to part ways with Colbert.
Online TV streaming services
A former CBS producer told industry outlet Variety: “If this works — and it just might — CBS will have effectively handed their most bankable late-night voice to a competitor.”
Late-night rival Jimmy Kimmel joked on air, “I’m just hoping they don’t schedule it opposite me. I’ve seen Jasmine Crockett debate — I wouldn’t want to compete with that.”
Social media has been ablaze with reactions, with many calling it “the late-night revolution” and others questioning whether such an outspoken format can survive the pressures of advertisers and political backlash.
Why This Could Change Late-Night Forever
In an age where traditional TV ratings are shrinking and streaming platforms are redefining audience engagement, Colbert and Crockett’s gamble could mark a turning point for the genre.
By blending the polish of network television with the authenticity and speed of digital media, the show might just attract viewers who long ago abandoned late-night for podcasts, TikTok, and YouTube
