A decade of missed opportunities: Texas couldn't find $1M for flood warning system near camps
The agencies repeatedly failed to secure roughly $1 million for a project to better protect the county's 50,000 residents and thousands of youth campers and tourists who spend time along the Guadalupe River in an area known as 'flash-flood alley.' The plan, which would have installed flood monitoring equipment near Camp Mystic, cost about as much as the county spends on courthouse security every two years, or 1.5% of its annual budget.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Scientists raise red flags after iconic US lake hits alarming new record: 'Farmers should begin planning accordingly'
Scientists raise red flags after iconic US lake hits alarming new record: 'Farmers should begin planning accordingly' Water levels in the largest reservoir in the United States are already in a crisis state and are projected to reach a record low within two years. What's happening? As Newsweek reported, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is sounding the alarm that Lake Mead is on course to fall to a record low of 1,041.05 feet by May 2027. This would leave the lake less than a third full, bringing it dangerously close to the so-called "dead pool" situation. This occurs when the water level is too low to flow downstream, rendering the Hoover Dam inoperable. reported that the dead pool scenario would occur if water levels were to drop below 895 feet. Why is Lake Mead so important? It's difficult to overstate the lake's importance to Western states. Lake Mead supplies water to approximately 40 million people across several states, parts of Mexico, and dozens of tribal nations. The water crisis is a direct consequence of human activity. The pollution from planet-heating dirty energy sources is leading to less snow in the mountains that feed the Colorado River's water flow. As the Idaho Capital Sun reported, the Rockies only had about 63% of the average snowpack by April, far below the required levels. Soaring global temperatures are leading to a phenomenon where the dry gets drier and the wet gets wetter. Much of the Southwest is experiencing severe drought conditions that are only worsening. What's being done about Lake Mead's water crisis? In some states, water restrictions are already in place. Some municipalities are offering cash incentives for homeowners to ditch their water-guzzling lawns. Landscaping techniques like xeriscaping can drastically reduce residential water consumption without compromising a yard's aesthetic appeal. Of course, while there are considerable savings to be had in reducing residential and unused grassy areas in drought-stricken states, agriculture is by far the biggest drain on Mead. It accounts for about 80% of Mead's water use. As Kyle Roerink, executive director of the Great Basin Water Network, explained to Newsweek, more funding is needed to encourage farmers to adopt more water-conserving methods. "How we traditionally prop up Mead is by paying farmers to fallow temporarily. Agriculture is the reliable water bank." Roerink said. "So farmers should begin planning accordingly." Ultimately, a combination of more sustainable agricultural practices and sensible residential water policies is needed to give Mead the best chance of long-term viability. The most significant climate action happens at the local level. Do you worry about the longevity of EV batteries? For sure Not really Not at all I've never thought about it Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword
%3Amax_bytes(150000)%3Astrip_icc()%2FTAL-northern-lights-alaska-USNRTHNLIGHTS0825-d7e7f2346b894257a21d615e8fb83bf4.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Travel + Leisure
an hour ago
- Travel + Leisure
Northern Lights Are Expected Tonight Thanks to a Rare Solar Storm—and It Can Be Seen Across Almost Half the U.S.
If you're in a few lucky states tonight, look up at the sky for a colorful show. The aurora borealis, a natural phenomenon that fills like the sky with undulating colorful lights, should be visible on Aug. 7 and Aug. 8 in 18 states, weather and dark skies permitting. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), geomagnetic storm conditions could be sparked by an incoming coronal mass ejection (CME), making auroras in the night sky. 'A CME and Coronal Hole High Speed Stream (CHH SS) are anticipated to affect Earth with elevated geomagnetic response and dependent upon the orientation of the embedded magnetic field, potential exists for moderate storm levels,' the NOAA said in a statement on their website. 'Combined effects from a coronal mass ejection (CME) which lifted off the Sun on 05 Aug and a coronal hole high speed stream (CH HSS) are expected to cause geomagnetic storming on 08-09 Aug. A G2 (Moderate) watch was issued for 08 Aug with the onset of activity. A G1 (Minor) watch was issued for 09 Aug.' Even a minor disruption caused by the CME could trigger the aurora borealis. The exact timing of the disruption is unclear, so the potential aurora borealis could be visible any time between 11pm on Aug. 7 through Aug. 9. Tonight might be the best opportunity for spotting the aurora for the lucky residents of the affected states. Northernmost states are most likely to have a chance at spotting the aurora. The 18 states that might have a view of the colorful sky are Alaska, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Maine, South Dakota, Vermont, New Hampshire, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, New York, Wyoming, Iowa, Nebraska, and Illinois. Though solar storms are unpredictable, it's worth going out tonight and looking up. For residents of those states, the best way to maximize the chances of seeing the aurora borealis is to find a north-facing vantage point that lets you see the horizon clearly, and ideally is as far away from light pollution as it is possible to be. The best time for aurora spotting is 2 am, when the sky is likely to be the darkest, but since the arrival of the solar storm is unpredictable, it's recommended to look throughout the night for the event. Downloading an app that tracks aurora can also be helpful for sky spotters who would prefer not to spend the whole night outside.
Bloomberg
an hour ago
- Bloomberg
A Heat Dome Is About to Test Temperature Records in US Southwest
Extreme heat will sear down across Phoenix and the US Southwest this week, testing temperature records and putting about 7.5 million people under a sweltering high-pressure dome. Thursday is forecast to reach 117F (47C) in Phoenix, which would match the all-time high for August, according to the National Weather Service.
