Over 50 people are dead, dozens are missing and countless lives have been destroyed as unprecedented flash floods swept through central Texas on the 4th of July.
Texas governor Greg Abbott and president Donald Trump have blamed the disaster on the unpredictability of the weather. But behind their lies, we know that the disastrous impacts of the floods were avoidable.
What happened in central Texas?
On the night of July 3 and into the morning of July 4, Kerr County, Texas experienced 10 to 15 inches of rain in just hours, flooding the Guadalupe river and other bodies of water. In Hunt, where the river forks, the water rose 22 feet in just 2 hours. The water gauge itself broke after reaching the maximum 29 1/2 feet. Similar levels of flooding occurred downstream in Kerrville, Center Point, and other towns. Counties all across central Texas also faced flooding and deaths.
The Texas Hill Country is known as “Flash Flood Alley” because flooding occurs so frequently and suddenly along river banks. This was a particularly catastrophic flood because it occurred in the early morning with little advance warning; and because it collided with Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls along the banks of the Guadalupe. Dozens of girls are still missing.
Who’s really to blame for this disaster in Central Texas?
In the aftermath of the floods, Texas officials sought to blame the National Weather Service for failing to put out accurate forecasts. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem followed suit, stating flippantly that “[s]ometimes the National Weather Service gets things right, and sometimes it doesn’t.”
Noem claimed without evidence that Trump is “upgrading the technology” and “fixing the NWS.” In reality, the Trump administration has done the exact opposite.
Not only has the administration overseen the loss of hundreds of jobs at the National Weather Service, but it has overseen massive cuts to the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, FEMA and other federal agencies responsible for disaster preparation, mitigation and response. On the state level, Greg Abbott has refused to acknowledge climate change and resisted legislation requiring local agencies to plan for climate-related risks. All in all, this is a death sentence for the people of Texas.
Texas is no stranger to the worsening impacts of climate change
Already, Texas is known to be susceptible to flash flooding; we experience more flood-related deaths than any other state. As climate change continues to exacerbate intense rainfall events, we can be confident that flash floods will increase in frequency and scope.
Flash flooding is the second-deadliest weather hazard, and rather than increase funding for disaster preparation and prevention, both state and federal agencies have done everything in their power to slash the very institutions responsible for ensuring our safety.
The politicians may congratulate themselves on their tepid response to the disaster, pointing the finger at people for not evacuating and the unpredictability of the weather. But they are the ones who have failed to take climate change and disaster preparedness seriously. The effects of climate change are already here, whether Abbott and Trump acknowledge them or not.
Not just about flood warnings – we need a new system
This weekend’s tragic flash floods weren’t the first in Texas, and they certainly won’t be the last. Local, state, and federal governments know this now. So why is the state and federal response simply to continue to “wait and see?”
The biggest issue is not simply about the timing of flood alerts. We need – and deserve – a system that is proactive, not just reactive. Climate change is causing larger and more unpredictable storms. We need a government that rises to the challenges of preparing society for disaster now, not simply waiting until it strikes.
Under the capitalist system, the approach to disaster is always “every man for himself.” We live in the wealthiest country in the world with the ability to develop robust, centralized disaster preparation and response infrastructure. What’s lacking, however, is the political will.
What we need in the face of increasing disaster in Texas and beyond is infrastructure that can withstand severe weather and flooding, city planning that takes climate change and disasters into account, and the development of well-informed community networks that know how to respond and care for our neighbors in emergencies. We need public education about the weather dangers in our areas and the resources to adequately prepare our homes and our families to confront disasters. A better future is possible, but we must be willing to fight for it! But not only that – we need an entirely new system; one that prioritizes people’s lives and well-being.
Feature image: Drone footage of July 4 flash flooding in Texas. Credit: KOAM News Now Youtube screenshot.
