Extreme weather
occurrences are not something unusual
in Texas
1. Data from the National Centers for Environmental Information shows that Texas leads the U.S. in fatalities caused by natural disasters. The occurrence of expensive and lethal weather incidents has consistently risen since the 1980s, starting with about 1.4 such events annually causing over $1 billion in damages, up to reaching 20 instances in 2024. However, despite this growing risk, Texas legislators and authorities have remained inactive—either incapable or reluctant to implement stronger measures that now appear essential and clearly needed.
2. As reported by the National Centers for Environmental Information, Texas holds the top position among states in terms of casualties due to natural catastrophes. Over time, the number of damaging and fatal weather-related occurrences has gradually climbed, beginning around the 1980s with roughly one event each year costing more than a billion dollars, rising significantly to reach twenty events in 2024. Nevertheless, recently, even as threats from these disasters continue to grow, Texas leaders and administrators have shown little action—failing or refusing to adopt improved safeguards which, upon reflection, were evidently crucial and straightforward.
3. Based on information provided by the National Centers for Environmental Information, Texas stands out nationally regarding death tolls linked to natural calamities. There has been a steady rise in the prevalence of high-cost and life-threatening weather phenomena since the 1980s, where approximately 1.4 disaster events resulted in over a billion dollars worth of losses yearly, peaking at 20 events recorded in 2024. Despite this escalating danger, however, Texas politicians and public figures have mostly failed to act effectively—showing either inability or reluctance to enforce enhanced preventive actions that later appeared vital and evident.
The latest catastrophe—a severe sudden flood in the Texas Hill Country that has
cost the lives of at least 100 individuals
including at least 27 participants and staff members from Camp Mystic — started to intensify during the early morning hours of Friday when most people were asleep.
In the past two days, the
National Weather Service
had released multiple urgent weather warnings. Similarly, the Texas Division of Emergency Management had done so. On Wednesday, the Division of Emergency Management
activated emergency response resources
due to heightened flood risks in West and Central Texas before the holiday weekend, across 10 state agencies, and they enhanced these resources on Thursday.
Flood advisories issued from the Austin-San Antonio regional branch of the National Weather Service on Wednesday included several counties such as Kerr, along with a list of particular towns like Hunt, which houses Camp Mystic. Although flooding was expected, according to many local authorities, it did not reach the severity that eventually took place. Texas Emergency Management Director Nim Kidd
stated during a press briefing
mentioned at a media event
declared at a public gathering
spoke about at a press meeting
expressed at a news update
gave remarks at a press conference
made statements at a news session
commented at an official announcement
delivered comments at a press function
outlined at a journalistic event
that the prediction from the National Weather Service “failed to anticipate the volume of rainfall we experienced.”
The National Weather Service didn’t issue an urgent warning for people to move to elevated areas until 4:03 a.m. on Fourth of July, followed by multiple escalating notifications between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.
But, according to a
CBS News
assessment, Kerr County did not issue any alerts via its Integrated Public Alert Warning System, which is utilized for sending emergency text messages from local governmental organizations.
Consequently, numerous people affected by the flooding were taken off guard—especially in Kerr County, which does not
operate an urgent alert bell system
, even though the issue has been under consideration by the local authorities for a while.
Almost ten years ago, the county
had thought about a system of alarms
but that was not followed through due to the significant cost involved and
a rejected 2018 application
for a $1 million funding provided by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority,
which was willing to pay for just 5% of the projected expenses
. Even as late as 2023, the county commissioners’ court continued exploring funding possibilities, as noted in the meeting records. Without backing from the state or a local organization, Kerr County, which has a budget in the tens of millions, concluded it could not bear the cost.
Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, the highest elected representative of the county, stated
The New York Times
In a recent interview, “The taxpayers will not cover it.”
An examination of current coverage regarding the catastrophe and ongoing rehabilitation process highlights multiple shortcomings at both municipal and provincial stages.
Local authorities did more than just neglect to establish emergency alert systems in a region prone to abrupt and dangerous flooding; they also seemed caught off guard and ill-prepared to handle difficult inquiries. Kelly informed journalists during a press briefing on Friday that officials were unaware of the impending flood, despite the fact that the area has historically experienced such events.
a lengthy record of fatal flooding
a prolonged past marked by devastating floods
an extended legacy of destructive flood events
a centuries-long tradition of catastrophic water disasters
a deep-rooted history of perilous flooding incidents
.
We experience flooding constantly,” Kelly stated. “This is the riskiest river basin in the country, and we frequently face flood situations. Whenever it pours down, we end up with water. There was absolutely no indication that this would turn out to be similar to what has occurred here.
The location where numerous verified fatalities occurred, Camp Mystic, was among several summer camps in the Kerr County region that remained unevacuated on Friday. Camp Mystic
limits the usage of mobile phones,
which stopped counselors and campers from getting National Weather Alerts and probably made it harder to respond to the increasing water levels in a region without evacuation bells. Asked why they weren’t evacuated
at a news conference
Kelly stated, ‘I can’t provide an answer. I have no idea.’
During the most recent Texas legislative session, a comparable lack of readiness for potential crises was observed at the state level. A proposed measure sought to form a state-wide committee responsible for developing an all-encompassing emergency response strategy and providing funding for enhancements such as better emergency notification systems. However, this legislation failed in the Senate, with opponents citing the estimated cost of $500 million as a key argument against its passage.
“This should not involve anything else besides the fact that it’s half a billion dollars,” stated State Representative Tony Tinderholt during an April floor discussion.
The myopia of this perspective cannot be overstated, considering the immense cost of disasters and loss of life, along with the Legislature’s tendency to favor different expenditures, such as allocating $2 billion for movie industry subsidies. (Although Tinderholt personally opposed that measure as well.)
The tragedy has acted as an awakening for at least one state legislator, Republican Representative Wes Virdell, who serves Kerr County and previously opposed the mentioned emergency readiness legislation.
“In retrospect, seeing how difficult it is to handle a situation like this, I might have voted differently,” Virdell said.
told The Texas Tribune
.
Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who did not prioritize the emergency preparedness bill as one of his main legislative goals during his tenure as president of the Texas Senate, stated in an
interview on Fox News
That if local authorities could not manage it, “the state would take action.” Additionally, Senator Ted Cruz stated to CBS News that he aims to utilize the incident to initiate discussions on improving methods to “ensure timely alerts regarding weather events” and being “more proactive in getting people to safety.”
However, despite all the discussion about taking initiative, the reality remains evident. Texas legislators failed to provide funding for emergency response systems that might have prevented deaths, resulting in the tragic loss of 27 girls and their supervisors at a summer camp. With an annual budget exceeding $338 billion, this decision reflects a deliberate selection.
This piece first appeared on
