Record Holiday Travel Amid Flash Floods and Heavy Rain Across the U.S.

Record-breaking holiday travel was marked by flash floods and heavy rain across the U.S., causing traffic jams and rescue operations. Despite rising gas prices, millions traveled. Other top stories include Pope Leo XIV's warning on AI safety, mixed messages on U.S.-Iran relations, and an escalating Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.

Tue May 26 2026

Widespread Floods and Travel Chaos During U.S. Holiday Weekend

Millions of Americans traveled during a record-setting holiday weekend, facing widespread heavy rain and flash floods, particularly across the eastern half of the country. In Beeville, Texas, first responders dramatically rescued a baby from a car submerged in floodwaters. Over two dozen Boy Scouts on a canoe trip were saved from rising waters in West Virginia. Thunderstorms and heavy rain also caused severe flooding on Interstate 65 south of Birmingham, Alabama, and brought down trees in New York City. Despite these conditions, and gasoline prices hitting a four-year high, approximately 39 million people chose to travel by road, according to AAA. The National Weather Service issued flood watches from southern Louisiana to eastern Tennessee, warning of continued hazardous conditions.

International and Domestic Updates: AI Safety, Iran Tensions, and Ebola Outbreak

Internationally, Pope Leo XIV, the first American Pope, partnered with tech leaders, including Anthropic co-founder Chris Olah, to urge safeguards for AI to protect `the dignity of humankind`. Meanwhile, U.S.-Iran relations saw mixed signals regarding efforts to end their conflict, with no immediate agreement on reopening the Strait of Hormuz. In Central Africa, the Ebola outbreak is `outpacing us`, according to the WHO, with over 900 suspected cases and 200 suspected deaths, raising concerns as the World Cup approaches. In Southern California, authorities announced that the risk of a `catastrophic explosion` at a chemical storage tank had been `eliminated`, but tens of thousands of residents remained evacuated. Local prosecutors have launched a criminal probe into the incident.