Texas lake hits 100% capacity after 15 years — officials urge caution amid flooding fears
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Water levels in Texas water bodies have broken decades old records after heavy rainfall in the past few weeks. Even Lake Buchanan has reached almost hundred percent of its capacity for the first time since 2005 after the deadly rain storm.This happened after 22 inches of rain fell in the Highland Lakes region over the July Fourth weekend. On July 2, Lake Buchanan was only 60% full, but just weeks later, it's completely full, according to the TCD report.The Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) opened Lake Buchanan's flood gates to release extra water — first time since 2019. The move could prevent flooding and control the heavy flow of water through the system of the Highland lakes.Lake Travis gets water from lake Buchanan and due to its hundred percent capacity might overflow. At the moment, Lake Buchanan has little space to hold water. However, officials have said that it can handle 15 more feet of water, but urged caution saying that the situation is being monitored for possible flood risks, News week reported.Experts say that the sudden change in climate in central Texas is an example of what extreme climate change can do to water bodies. Central Texas went from a drought to now flooding in a matter of weeks.The reason was the enlarged capacity of hot air to hold moisture experts also suggest that for every 1° F rise in temperature 4% more water increases in the air above the lands which can make storms, heavier and rainfall disastrous. Since 1970, the intensity of hourly rainfall has gone up 15% across 126 U.S. cities.Cities like New York are not built to handle big amounts of rain fast. Concrete and roads don't let water soak in, so it all rushes into old storm drains, which get overloaded and cause flash floods. Flash floods can kill people, damage homes, ruin infrastructure, and make insurance more expensive, as per the TCD report.To reduce the risk of heavy rain and flooding, we need to cut down air pollution. Polluted air holds more moisture, which can lead to stronger storms and more flooding.Here are some simple things people can do: Riding a bike instead of driving, using public transport, growing your own food, switching to electric vehicles, and installing solar panels are all small steps that help reduce pollution. As the report TCD says, 'No one can do everything, but if everyone does something — it adds up.'Officials opened the floodgates to release extra water after the lake reached full capacity for the first time in 15 years, to prevent flooding downstream.Heavy rainstorms in early July 2025 dropped up to 22 inches of rain, rapidly filling the lake from 60% to 100% in just a few weeks.
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Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Texas lake hits 100% capacity after 15 years — officials urge caution amid flooding fears
Heavy rains filled Lake Buchanan in Texas, a first since 2005. Authorities released water to prevent floods. The lake reached full capacity after significant rainfall. Climate change is cited as a factor. Experts suggest reducing air pollution to mitigate future flooding. Individuals can help by adopting eco-friendly practices. Every small action counts towards a larger impact. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Officials take action to avoid floods Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why is this happening? What can people do about it? FAQs Water levels in Texas water bodies have broken decades old records after heavy rainfall in the past few weeks. Even Lake Buchanan has reached almost hundred percent of its capacity for the first time since 2005 after the deadly rain happened after 22 inches of rain fell in the Highland Lakes region over the July Fourth weekend. On July 2, Lake Buchanan was only 60% full, but just weeks later, it's completely full, according to the TCD Lower Colorado River Authority (LCRA) opened Lake Buchanan's flood gates to release extra water — first time since 2019. The move could prevent flooding and control the heavy flow of water through the system of the Highland Travis gets water from lake Buchanan and due to its hundred percent capacity might overflow. At the moment, Lake Buchanan has little space to hold water. However, officials have said that it can handle 15 more feet of water, but urged caution saying that the situation is being monitored for possible flood risks, News week say that the sudden change in climate in central Texas is an example of what extreme climate change can do to water bodies. Central Texas went from a drought to now flooding in a matter of reason was the enlarged capacity of hot air to hold moisture experts also suggest that for every 1° F rise in temperature 4% more water increases in the air above the lands which can make storms, heavier and rainfall disastrous. Since 1970, the intensity of hourly rainfall has gone up 15% across 126 U.S. like New York are not built to handle big amounts of rain fast. Concrete and roads don't let water soak in, so it all rushes into old storm drains, which get overloaded and cause flash floods. Flash floods can kill people, damage homes, ruin infrastructure, and make insurance more expensive, as per the TCD reduce the risk of heavy rain and flooding, we need to cut down air pollution. Polluted air holds more moisture, which can lead to stronger storms and more are some simple things people can do: Riding a bike instead of driving, using public transport, growing your own food, switching to electric vehicles, and installing solar panels are all small steps that help reduce pollution. As the report TCD says, 'No one can do everything, but if everyone does something — it adds up.'Officials opened the floodgates to release extra water after the lake reached full capacity for the first time in 15 years, to prevent flooding rainstorms in early July 2025 dropped up to 22 inches of rain, rapidly filling the lake from 60% to 100% in just a few weeks.
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Business Standard
18-07-2025
- Business Standard
North carolina in state of emergency due to tropical storm Chantal
North Carolina can seek federal funding to help its overloaded response efforts to Tropical Storm Chantal, which killed at least six people and left damage from flooding in its wake, as Gov. Josh Stein announced a state of emergency Thursday. A one-two punch from Chantal followed by severe weather in the state's center has overwhelmed the response and recovery efforts of local governments, according to Stein's executive order. Some rivers reached record-breaking levels from the storm, including the Eno River in Durham, one of several cities where some residents lost access to safe drinking water because of damage to the water system. In some places, the storm dumped as much as 9 to 12 inches of rain, according to the governor's office. Chantal hit at the end of the July Fourth weekend, and several days of severe weather plowed through as people were still picking up the pieces from damage caused by the tropical storm's remnants. The emergency declaration, which took effect Wednesday, jumpstarts the process for North Carolina to seek federal recovery assistance if needed. It covers 13 counties in the state's centre, some of which are home to populous cities like Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill. Local law enforcement agencies have confirmed at least six deaths from the storm. Businesses were wrecked and many residents were displaced from their homes after emergency responders rescued them from flooding. A 58-year-old woman called 911 on her way to work after her SUV got caught in floodwaters, but the call disconnected and she was later found dead a little ways from her unoccupied vehicle, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Office. Rescuers searched for days in Chatham County only to find two missing canoers had died, the county sheriff's office said, while another woman died when floodwaters swept her vehicle off the road, the State Highway Patrol said. Two people died in Alamance County, including a missing 71-year-old man found dead inside his vehicle covered in flowing water, the sheriff's office said. The Graham County Police Department said a missing 23-year-old woman was found dead inside a submerged vehicle. Many people were also rescued during the storm. In one neighbourhood north of Durham, the city's fire department said it did more than 80 water rescues amid the flooding. The fire department in Chapel Hill rescued more than 50 people while teaming up with neighbouring agencies, mostly near apartments, officials said.
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Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Business Standard
Heavy rains in Texas halt search for flood victims, damage homes elsewhere
More heavy rains in Texas on Sunday temporarily paused a weeklong search for victims of catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River and led to dozens of high-water rescues elsewhere as storms damaged homes, stranded motorists and put some residents under evacuation orders. It was the first time a new round of severe weather had paused the search since the July Fourth holiday floods, which killed at least 132 people. Authorities believe more than 160 people may still be missing in Kerr County alone, and 10 more in neighboring areas. In Kerrville, where local officials have come under scrutiny over whether residents were adequately warned about the rising water in the early morning hours of July 4, authorities went door-to-door to some homes after midnight early Sunday to alert people that flooding was again possible. Authorities also pushed phone alerts to those in the area. By late Sunday afternoon, the Kerr County Sheriff's Office announced that search teams in the western part of that county could resume their efforts. But more than 100 miles (161 kilometers) north in San Saba County, the floods damaged about 100 homes and knocked down untold lengths of cattle fencing, said Ashley Johnson, CEO of the Hill Country Community Action Association, a local nonprofit. Anything you can imagine in a rural community was damaged, she said. Our blessing is it was daylight and we knew it was coming. Latest flooding damages dozens of homes Gov. Greg Abbott said on X that the state was making rescues in San Saba, Lampasas and Schleicher counties and that evacuations were taking place in a handful of others. Texas Task Force 1, a joint state and federal urban search and rescue team, had rescued dozens of people in the Lampasas area, Abbott said. County officials ordered everyone living in flood-prone areas near the San Saba River to evacuate. Johnson said people were being moved to the San Saba Civic Center, which has become a safe, high place for people to receive aid and shelter. Everyone is in some way personally affected by this, she said. Everyone is just doing what they can to help their neighbors." A wide-ranging weather system brings heavy rains The weather system brought multiple rounds of heavy rains and slow-moving storms across a widespread area, pushing rivers and streams over their banks. Emergency crews rescued one motorist who was left stranded in waist-high rapids on a submerged bridge over the Bosque River and leaned onto the vehicle for support as crews tried to reach him with life jackets. He drove into it and didn't realize how deep it was, said Jeff Douglas, president of the McGregor Volunteer Fire Department. Luckily he was able to stand next to the vehicle. In the west Texas city of Sonora, authorities called for evacuations of some neighborhoods due to rising flood waters. In a video posted Sunday afternoon on Facebook, Mayor Juanita Gomez said some water rescues had taken place and a temporary shelter for residents had been opened in the city's civic center. Kerrville residents get support from police, alerts Under heavy rain, Matthew Stone was clearing branches and a log from a storm sewer in front of his home on Guadalupe Street in Kerrville on Sunday as several inches of water pooled up on the road. Multiple houses on the street overlooking the Guadalupe River were severely impacted by the July 4 floods, and Stone had to pull his older neighbors from their home before water overtook it. He said he felt safe for now. My wife was freaking out, that's for sure, but as long as that river is not coming down, we'll be all right, he said. The cops have been coming back and forth, we're getting lots of alerts, we're getting a lot of support. In nearby Ingram, fire department spokesman Brian Lochte said search and rescue efforts would resume Monday morning. Just before daybreak on the Fourth of July, the destructive, fast-moving waters rose 26 feet (8 meters) on the Guadalupe River, washing away homes and vehicles. Ever since, searchers have used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue people stranded in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads. The floods laid waste to the Hill Country region of Texas. The riverbanks and hills of Kerr County are filled with vacation cabins, youth camps and campgrounds, including Camp Mystic, the century-old, all-girls Christian summer camp. Located in a low-lying area along the Guadalupe River in a region known as flash flood alley, Camp Mystic lost at least 27 campers and counselors. The flood was far more severe than the 100-year event envisioned by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, experts said, and moved so quickly in the middle of the night that it caught many off guard in a county that lacked a warning system. (Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
