The recent Texas floods have left over 100 people dead and thousands scrambling for safety, sparking widespread discussions and scrutiny regarding Donald Trump‘s administration cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS).
In Kerr County, officials struggled to provide clear answers about their preparedness and response to the devastating flood that swept through the Texas Hill Country last week.
Rising Toll from the Floods
As per the latest report, at least 119 people have been confirmed dead statewide, with 95 of those deaths occurring in Kerr County alone. Officials reported that 161 people are still missing in the county, while 173 individuals remain unaccounted for across Texas, as noted by Governor Greg Abbott.
Concerns Over ‘Delayed’ Warnings
This week, Kerr County officials provided a detailed account of their rescue efforts following the surge of the Guadalupe River on July 4. They claimed that local crews saved hundreds of individuals amid growing concerns over the lack of warning sirens and disaster management plans in the area.
On July 4, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly admitted that there was “no warning system” in the region.
Timeline of Events
In a media briefing, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha was questioned about the critical hours between the first flash flood emergency alert at 1:14 AM (local time) and the moment the river began to rise. Leitha explained that the first notification came between 4 AM and 5 AM, adding that one of the sergeants was present during the initial 911 calls.
“This will take a little bit of time,” Leitha stated regarding the ongoing effort to put together a timeline of events. For now, Leitha emphasized that his top three priorities are to locate missing individuals, identify those lost, and notify their next of kin.
Emergency Management Under Scrutiny
When asked if the county’s emergency manager was on duty and whether an alert was issued during the early hours, Leitha indicated that it was “not that easy where you just push a button,” elaborating that “there’s a lot more to that.”
Directly questioned by a reporter about whether the emergency manager had issued an alert, the sheriff responded that he would “come back” on this and affirmed that he is “going nowhere.”
Criticism of the National Weather Service
In the aftermath of the floods, several Texas officials criticized the National Weather Service, claiming its forecasts underestimated the actual rainfall. Over the past weekend, President Donald Trump dismissed calls for an investigation into whether the cuts to the NWS had left critical vacancies unfilled.
Conclusion
The Texas floods have revealed significant challenges in emergency preparedness and response, highlighting the urgent need for effective communication systems. As the community grapples with the aftermath, these events raise questions about the long-term impact of policy decisions on public safety. The ongoing situation underscores the importance of robust infrastructure and timely alerts in protecting citizens during natural disasters.
