Cliff Notes
- Severe Weather Impact: Over 104 fatalities were reported in Texas due to severe flash flooding, including 28 children in Kerr County, as heavy rain caused the Guadalupe River to overflow.
- Criticism of Emergency Alerts: Local and federal officials faced backlash for flood preparedness and late warnings, despite prior alerts from the National Weather Service and AccuWeather about imminent risks.
- Calls for Improved Forecasting: Residents indicated a need for more effective alert systems similar to tornado warnings, while officials acknowledged unpredictable weather patterns contributed to inadequate responses.
Why did deadly Texas floods catch people by surprise?
Questions have been raised over extreme weather warnings in Texas after heavy rain caused fatal flash floods along the Guadalupe River.
At least 104 people have died from the flooding across Texas, including 28 children in Kerr County.
Local and federal officials have come under fire over flood preparations, and why people were not warned of the risks sooner.
What happened?
As much as 10ins (25cm) of heavy rain fell in just a few hours overnight in central Kerr County on Friday, causing the banks of the Guadalupe River to burst at around 4am local time.
Homes and vehicles were swept away by the downpour – equivalent to months’ worth of rain, while 27 girls staying at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp along the river, went missing when the fast-rising floodwaters hit.
At least 104 people have died in the flash flooding, including:
• 84 people – 28 children and 56 adults – in Kerr County
• Six people in Kendall County
• Seven people in Travis County
• Four in Burnet County
• One person in Tom Green County
