Central Texas experienced catastrophic flooding that resulted in at least 90 deaths, predominantly in Kerr County. The Guadalupe River surged dramatically due to heavy storms, leading to urgent questions about evacuation warnings for residents. While the National Weather Service did provide early flood watch warnings, a flash flood warning was issued too late, after significant rainfall had occurred. Rep. Joaquin Castro advocates for better staffing within the NWS to enhance emergency preparedness in the face of climate change, highlighting the impact of recent staff cuts amid urgent situations.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warned of possible heavy showers on Wednesday and upgraded Thursday to a flood watch, which is when conditions make flooding possible.
A flash flood warning, meaning flooding is imminent or happening, wasn't declared until early Friday morning, after nearly a foot of rain had already fallen.
Rep. Joaquin Castro emphasizes that the NWS must be well-staffed and prepared to cooperate with local and state agencies, especially given the challenges posed by climate change.
Earlier this year, the NWS lost almost 600 workers after the Trump administration ordered cuts, raising concerns about the impact on emergency preparedness.
#central-texas-floods #national-weather-service #emergency-preparedness #climate-change #evacuation-warnings
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