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Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
In Texas region prone to catastrophic floods, questions grow about lack of warning
The forecast began to look ominous in Texas Hill County on Thursday afternoon. A flood watch was issued by the National Weather Service at 1:18 p.m. that predicted up to 7 inches of isolated rainfall early Friday morning in South Central Texas, including Kerr County. By the time the sun rose on the Fourth of July, less than 24 hours later, as much as 12 inches of rain had fallen in parts of the region while its residents were asleep, according to NWS radar estimates. The Guadalupe River gauge at the unincorporated community of Hunt, where the river forks, recorded a 22-foot rise in just two hours, said Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the NWS Austin/San Antonio office. The gauge recorded a level of 29 ½ feet before becoming completely submerged and failing, Fogarty added. [Camp Mystic, a haven for generations of Texas girls, becomes a center of tragedy] At least 32 people were killed by the flooding. Dozens more remained missing as of Saturday morning, including 27 young girls from a Christian summer camp, according to the Kerr County sheriff's office. The scale of the disaster — and the fact that major flooding is common in this part of Texas — has raised questions over whether more could have been done to warn people in the path of the flood waters. Local and state officials were quick to point to weather forecasts that did not accurately predict the intensity of the rainfall. Meanwhile, some forecasters suggested that local officials and camp leadership should have activated more given the threats that were apparent. 'The heartbreaking catastrophe that occurred in Central Texas is a tragedy of the worst sort because it appears evacuations and other proactive measures could have been undertaken to reduce the risk of fatalities had the organizers of impacted camps and local officials heeded the warnings of the government and private weather sources, including AccuWeather,' AccuWeather Chief Meteorologist Jonathan Porter wrote in a statement Saturday morning. Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, on Friday pointed to NWS forecasts from earlier in the week that projected up to 6 inches of rain. 'It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,' Kidd said. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly echoed Kidd. When he was asked why camps along the Guadalupe were not evacuated, Kelly told reporters the county had 'no reason to believe that this was going to be anything like what's happened here.' However, warnings were issued about the potential for flash flooding hours before the waters reached their peak. Rain began to fall around midnight, and the first flash flood warning was issued by the NWS at 1:14 a.m. Friday, Fogarty said. That warning should have triggered a response by local emergency management and local media to spread the word to those in harm's way, as well as the Emergency Alert System that broadcasts warnings to televisions and radios, Fogarty said. All NWS flash flood warnings, including the one issued after midnight on Friday, trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts, the emergency push notification sent through cellphone towers to all wireless phones in the emergency area, Fogarty said. That warning was updated nine times throughout Friday, each of which triggered separate alerts through the Emergency Alert System and the Wireless Emergency Alerts, Fogarty said. The most serious warning came at 4:03 a.m. when the NWS issued a flash flood emergency, warning of an 'extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation' and urging immediate evacuations to higher ground. Flash flood emergencies are issued using a mixture of rainfall data and on-the-ground reports: 'Someone has told us we need to get people out of here immediately or people are going to die,' Fogarty said. The flooding came amid concerns about staffing levels at the NWS, after the Trump administration fired hundreds of meteorologists this year as part of Elon Musk's DOGE cuts. The NWS Austin/San Antonio office's warning coordination meteorologist announced in April that he was retiring early due to the funding cuts, leading to speculation that vacancies could have impacted forecasters' response. The NWS forecasting offices were operating normally at the time of the disaster, said Greg Waller, service coordination hydrologist with the NWS West Gulf River Forecast Center in Fort Worth. 'We had adequate staffing. We had adequate technology,' Waller said. 'This was us doing our job to the best of our abilities.' At least one independent meteorologist working in Texas echoed that statement, writing on his website that 'we have seen absolutely nothing to suggest that current staffing or budget issues within NOAA and the NWS played any role at all in this event.' The timing of the flood may have been a complicating factor. The alerts came out during the start of the Fourth of July weekend, when RV parks, cabins and homes are filled with tourists who might not be as familiar with the flood risks or the habits of the water. Between 2 and 7 a.m., the Guadalupe River in Kerrville rose from 1 to more than 34 feet in height, according to a flood gauge in the area. The flooding reached its peak at around 6:45 a.m. in Kerrville, hours after warnings were first issued, according to the gauge. When the NWS issued its flash flood emergency, the river height was still under two feet, although it began to rise quickly shortly after the alert was issued. Major flooding on the river is considered anything above 20 feet, a level the gauge recorded a little after 6 a.m. on Friday. Porter noted the danger of the nighttime flooding, when many people are asleep and slower to respond to warnings. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters Friday that the suddenness and intensity of the flood caught city officials flat-footed. "This happened very quickly over a very short amount of time that could not be predicted," Rice said. "This is not like a tornado where you can have a siren. This is not a hurricane where you're planning weeks in advance. It hit hard and things like this happen in a very strategic, very isolated area and when those two things converge you have what happened today." Waller noted the high risk of flooding in the area. 'In my career, this is our worst case scenario that we brief all of our new forecasters on,' Waller said. The terrain in the area makes it so precipitation forecasts off by just 20 miles could affect entirely different river basins, Waller said. Given the river's history, Porter said reports of survivors being awoken by rapidly rising water and forced to evacuate in the middle of the emergency instead of much earlier after the warnings were first issued were 'extremely concerning.' The region has experienced catastrophic flooding before, including the 2015 Wimberley flood that left 13 people dead, as well as major floods in 2007 and 2002. A July 1987 flood of the Guadalupe River devastated Kerrville and other communities along the waterway.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Historic Rainfall Causes Catastrophic, Deadly Flash Floods In Central Texas
Water rescues and search and recovery efforts are underway in Central Texas after heavy rain caused devastating floods that started in the middle of the night Thursday. The National Weather Service declared flash flood emergencies in Kerr County and San Angelo early Friday morning, warning that a 'large and deadly flood wave' was moving down the Guadalupe River near Hunt, Texas. As of Saturday morning, at least 27 people have been killed by the floods. Among the dead are 18 adults and 9 children. In a press conference on Saturday, officials said that at least 850 people have been rescued from the area. In addition, 27 people remain missing from girls' summer camp at Camp Mystic, which sits alongside the river in Kerr County. Mobile homes, campers and other vehicles were swept away as the river surged. The river shot up more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Digital meteorologist Sara Tonks adds, "The soil and the river were unable to keep up with the rain as over 7 inches of rain fell in only 4 and a half hours from 1 to 5:30 am." The Guadalupe River hit its second-highest height ever on record, reaching 29.45 feet, but Bob Fogarty, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Austin/San Antonio office believes it could be even higher. He told the Associated Press the gauge failed after recording a level of 29 and half feet, 'The gauge is completely underwater.' Flooding also inundated neighborhoods further north in San Angelo. Some areas got more than a foot of rain, trapping people inside their homes. The National Weather Service in San Angelo said it received multiple reports of flooded roads and homes across Tom Green County, calling the conditions life-threatening. The NWS urged people to stay indoors and issued River Flood Warnings for parts of San Saba, Concho and Colorado rivers. An additional flash flood emergency was issued for parts of Burnet, Williamson and Travis counties northwest of Austin, Texas, Saturday morning. Up to 14 inches of new rain had fallen. Texas Hill Country and the greater Interstate-35 corridor in Texas are known as "Flash Flood Alley" because of the intersection of heavy rainfall that occurs there frequently, higher population, urban and rolling terrain, and the higher number of influential rivers, including the Guadalupe and Colorado rivers. Up to 10 additional inches of rainfall is possible through the holiday weekend.
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Texas flash floods: 24 dead, dozens missing as rainfall exceeds forecast — Top developments
A powerful storm triggered deadly flash floods in the Texas Hill Country early Friday, sending a wall of water through the Guadalupe River and sweeping away homes, vehicles, and a girls' summer camp. At least 24 people have been confirmed dead and many others are still missing. The sudden flooding occurred before dawn on the Fourth of July holiday, catching many residents, campers, and local officials by surprise. Rescue efforts continued through Saturday with helicopters, drones, and hundreds of emergency personnel searching the area. Camp Mystic destroyed, children missing A Christian summer camp for girls, Camp Mystic, was completely destroyed when the river swelled suddenly. About 24 missing persons are believed to be children from the camp. 'The camp was completely destroyed,' said 13-year-old Elinor Lester, a camper. 'A helicopter landed and started taking people away. It was really scary.' Rescuers used ropes to guide children across a flooded bridge as waters whipped around their legs. Flash flood hit before dawn The river rose by 26 feet (8 metres) in just 45 minutes before daybreak on Friday. A nearby gauge recorded a 22-foot rise in two hours before it failed at 29.5 feet. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Why seniors are rushing to get this Internet box – here's why! Techno Mag Learn More Undo 'The water's moving so fast, you're not going to recognise how bad it is until it's on top of you,' said Bob Fogarty of the National Weather Service. Hundreds rescued, search continues Texas officials confirmed that 240 people had been rescued so far, with 400 personnel on the ground helping in search-and-rescue efforts. Some people were pulled from trees and rooftops. Rescue teams were using helicopters and drones, with many families still posting photos and appeals on social media, searching for missing loved ones. Terrified survivors recall narrow escapes Erin Burgess in Ingram said her home filled with water within minutes. She and her son clung to a tree, while her boyfriend and dog floated away before being found later. 'Thankfully he's over 6 feet tall. That's the only thing that saved me,' she said of her 19-year-old son. Barry Adelman said his family was forced into the attic of their three-storey house. 'I was horrified,' he said. 'I was having to look at my grandson in the face and tell him everything was going to be OK, but inside I was scared to death.' At a reunification centre in Ingram, families cried and cheered as evacuees arrived. A young girl in a Camp Mystic shirt sobbed in her mother's arms. No emergency alerts for many Several residents said they received no flood warnings. Matthew Stone of Kerrville said: 'We got no emergency alert. There was nothing. Then a pitch black wall of death.' Judge Rob Kelly, Kerr County's top official, said, 'We do not have a warning system.' He added, 'Rest assured, no one knew this kind of flood was coming.' Rainfall exceeded forecasts Officials said the storm dumped far more rain than predicted. Forecasts had suggested 3 to 6 inches of rain, but totals were far higher. 'It did not predict the amount of rain that we saw,' said Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Hill Country geography worsened flooding The Texas Hill Country is known as 'flash flood alley' due to its steep slopes and thin soil that doesn't absorb rain. 'When it rains, water doesn't soak into the soil,' said Austin Dickson of the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country. 'It rushes down the hill.'
Newsweek
a day ago
- Climate
- Newsweek
Deadly Texas Flooding: Live Tracker Maps
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Death and destruction swept through Texas Hill Country on Friday as torrential rains unleashed catastrophic flooding, leading to multiple fatalities and triggering urgent boat rescues. Months' worth of rainfall fell within just a few hours, overwhelming riverfront communities and forcing emergency teams to evacuate children's summer camps threatened by rising water. In central Kerr County, up to 10 inches of rain inundated the area overnight, causing the Guadalupe River to swell rapidly and overflow its banks, sparking widespread flash flooding. Interactive maps by show the affected areas and the severity of the Texas flooding. Texas Floods: Weather Radar Guadalupe River Could Rise to 36 Feet Near Spring Branch The Guadalupe River, which winds through the scenic Hill Country, is currently at risk of breaching its banks in multiple locations. Areas affected include Kerrville, Comfort, Hunt, and near Spring Branch, with floodwaters expected to reach moderate levels — a threshold that poses a threat to low-lying infrastructure and residential areas. According to the NWS, river levels near Spring Branch could rise to 36 feet, leading to impacts such as the inundation of secondary roads and low bridges within the floodplain. The Guadalupe's river gauge at the unincorporated community of Hunt, where the river forks, recorded a 22-foot rise in just about two hours, according to Bob Fogarty, meteorologist with the National Weather Service's Austin/San Antonio office. Fogarty said the gauge failed after recording a level of 29 and a half feet. Death and destruction swept through Texas Hill Country on Friday as torrential rains unleashed catastrophic flooding, leading to multiple fatalities and triggering urgent boat rescues. Death and destruction swept through Texas Hill Country on Friday as torrential rains unleashed catastrophic flooding, leading to multiple fatalities and triggering urgent boat rescues. Texas Floods: Thunderstorms Live Tracker Map NWS Warns Texans About Moving Water, Potential Damage Recreational users of the river have been urged to clear out immediately, as the swift, turbulent flow creates extremely hazardous conditions. "Recreationalists should evacuate the riverbanks because of dangerous turbulent flow," the advisory states. Sections of Guadalupe River State Park are also expected to suffer damage, including picnic tables, trash receptacles, and equipment located in low-lying areas. The NWS further warned that homes at the lowest elevations in Kendall County near Canyon Lake are at risk of flooding. Residents are being urged to exercise extreme caution. The NWS reiterated the life-threatening danger of attempting to cross flooded roads or walk through rising waters. "Turn around, don't drown," the agency cautioned, noting that most flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. Just six inches of fast-moving water is enough to knock an adult off their feet, and two feet can sweep away most cars. Texas Floods: Thunderstorm Forecast Texas Rescue Workers Search Floodwaters Emergency crews carried out dozens of rescues as floodwaters surged across Texas Hill Country, with search operations ongoing amid reports of missing persons. Families with children and relatives attending local summer camps anxiously sought updates, desperate for news as the flooding placed loved ones in danger. Rob Kelly, the county's chief elected official, confirmed that the flooding had resulted in multiple fatalities and numerous water rescues. However, he declined to provide exact figures, stating he had been advised against doing so while authorities continue efforts to identify the victims. "Most of them, we don't know who they are," Kelly said during a news conference. "One of them was completely naked, he didn't have any ID on him at all. We're trying to get the identity of these folks, but we don't have it yet." Texas Floods: Rain Accumulation What Happens Next The flood warning remains in effect until just before 1 a.m. Sunday morning, with further updates expected by 5 a.m. Friday. Residents can stay informed by visiting or tuning into local news alerts. In the meantime, those living along the Guadalupe River are advised to prepare for possible evacuation and to move to higher ground at the first sign of rising water. Emergency responders and local officials are monitoring the situation closely, as saturated soil and continued rainfall could exacerbate flooding. With many Texans traveling or vacationing over the Fourth of July weekend, officials are especially concerned about people underestimating the risks near waterways. This article includes reporting by The Associated Press.
