David Muir praised for ‘outstanding’ reporting after being mocked by Megyn Kelly

David Muir has been praised for his reporting by fans following the tragic floods in Texas Hill Country that have claimed the lives of over 100, leaving another 166 missing as of Thursday evening.

David Muir has been praised by fans for his ‘outstanding’ reporting on the Texas flood.(Image: ABC)

ABC anchor David Muir drew praise on Thursday night for his reporting on the catastrophic floods in Texas Hill Country that have left at least 121 dead and 166 still missing.

Muir has been covering the tragedy all week, and during the latest installment of World News Tonight, he opened with the grim numbers, telling viewers, “We turn next to the exhausting search for the missing in Texas Hill Country. At this hour, 166 people are still unaccounted for. At least 121 people are now dead.”

Just a day after Muir’s dress sense was mocked by Megyn Kelly, viewers watching the coverage took to social media to compliment the TV star as one person wrote, “David Muir (world news tonight) was outstanding tonight on the #TexasFloods coverage.”

The broadcast showed horrific images of disintegrated communities, flipped vehicles, and piles of debris where search teams and K-9 dogs worked tirelessly to search for signs of life.

Texas search crews have worked around the clock in an effort to rescue victims of the flood.

ABC’s Trevor Roll, reporting from Texas, detailed the grim task, saying, “Officials say there’s 166 people still missing, the number barely budging in 48 hours.”

The ABC anchor highlighted troubling questions over delayed emergency warnings, prompted by faulty tech.

A notification that aimed to warn residents in danger was delayed for some by nearly four hours.

Muir reported that dispatchers first discussed sending a “code red” alert at 4:22 a.m., but the warning didn’t reach some residents until nearly 10 a.m.

One particularly heartbreaking moment was that of Texas resident Jane Ragsdale, co-owner of the Heart of the Hills Girls Camp.

Ragsdale was trapped in her home as water rose. Her brother, Jeeper Ragsdale, recounted their final phone call.

Despite Jane’s death, Jeeper credited his sister’s call for helping him save others. Muir closed the segment with a grim reminder that the search was far from over.

“More teams from around the country are on their way here to help in Texas. Search crews have been using sonar, drones, and chainsaws, and officials are urging residents not to disturb these giant piles of debris because there could be victims inside.”

He ended by acknowledging the pain felt across the country. “The gruesome search continues there, and we’re thinking about all those families again tonight.”

The Texas floods, triggered by days of unusual rain, have overwhelmed local emergency systems and prompted a nationwide response effort.

Officials say the coming days will be critical as crews sift through rubble and search for survivors.