It’s difficult to deal with the unequal anger of Texas’ recent flash floods. The speed of rising floods, darkness at night, uneven warnings and communication, the soft age of many who struggle to survive – all of these have contributed to the tragedy that killed at least 109 people as of noon Tuesday and lost at least 161 people. It was a tough memory that the whole country needed a stronger emergency preparedness system.
Fast moving water on the Guadalupe River in central Texas began to rise overnight early on Friday. Near a comfortable town in Texas, the river swelled 30 feet in 90 minutes. The flood wiped out houses, cars and buildings, stripping bark from the ruined trees. Most of the murdered people were located in Carr County, northwest of San Antonio, and included dozens of children from All Girls Summer Camp. Officials said it was one of the deadliest floods in the United States in the last 100 years.
Authorities can fully speculate on preparations and communications in the coming weeks and months, and whether extra precautions could have been put in place that could have reduced the number of deaths. This is a serious conversation that needs to be started right away. Its focus is the most appropriate tribute to the victim and their families.
The National Weather Service advised on potential floods on Thursday, followed by a series of flash flood warnings early on Friday. However, authorities said the heavy downpour had surprised them. When the river spiked, authorities issued text alerts, but given the time of day it is possible that many people ignored or didn’t show the message. Local officials have previously considered upgrading the area’s emergency warning system with river gauges and sirens, but these plans were ultimately rejected as being too expensive.
One thing is to learn the dangers of putting us at risk and taking the weather for granted, and the dangers of preparing for a natural emergency on the spot. Hurricane Katrina should have delved into the spirit of the nation. However, there have been many other natural disasters over the past 20 years. And the growing threat from extreme weather is nothing new. So it’s fair to ask. How do you protect your future community? Where are the gaps and plans to plug them in and where are they? We cannot ignore conscious decisions that put millions of Americans across the country at risk.
The first place to begin is to break down President Donald Trump’s plans in favour of the country’s existing disaster response system. Trump sidelined questions about whether he intends to overhaul or eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency in response to last week’s flooding. The Trump administration, like other federal agencies, has also pushed the National Weather Service to reduce the workforce through layoffs and retirements. Already, some forecast offices have reduced their opening and working hours without filling up their main roles. Under the administration’s proposed 2026 budget, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the parent company of the Weather Service, will further cut staff and spending and eliminate funding for weather and climate labs. This is truly a type of science that pioneers innovative technology and improves modeling to predict flash floods. Members of the Red and Blue State Legislature must oppose this insanity.
Spend your days with Hayes
Subscribe to our free Stephenly newsletter
Columnist Stephanie Hayes shares thoughts, feelings and interesting business with you every Monday.
You’re all signed up!
Want more free weekly newsletters in your inbox? Let’s get started.
Check out all options
As residents of hurricane alleys, Floridians are well aware of the dangers and unpredictability of extreme weather. But this conversation goes far beyond the sun. A few days after flash floods killed the score in Texas, Tropical Storm Chantal landed in South Carolina and caused extensive devastation as it moved to North Carolina. As of Tuesday, the serious flood across central North Carolina was blamed on the deaths of three people as rescuers searched for missing people and thousands of residents lost their power.
More Americans are doing harm, and we need to attack, not retreat, in the struggle to improve our disaster safety net. This is another important part of securing your home.
