As of Monday, over 100 people have been killed and several others are still missing in Texas, a state in the southern United States, as a result of flash floods that devastated the state over the weekend. The Texas flooding devastation and fatalities have raised questions about the government’s warning and response mechanisms. The hunt for missing persons is ongoing, and a flash flood warning is in effect through Monday in several areas of Texas.
State emergency response resources were alerted on Wednesday by the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), which cited “increased threats of flooding in parts of West and Central Texas.” High rainfall was forecast by some modelling, thus swift water rescue teams and other rescue equipment were sent to the region.
Rob Kelly, the highest elected official in Kerr County, said he couldn’t respond when asked Friday why the area’s summer camps weren’t evacuated. I’m not sure.” “But listen, everyone received the National Weather Service’s prediction. The level of rain we had was not anticipated,” Texas Emergency Management Chief Nim Kidd stated on Friday.
What took place and what led to the Texas floods?
Flash floods struck the Texas Hill Country. It spans central and southern Texas, early Friday morning, when many were still asleep. The Guadalupe River surged over its banks in less than two hours, reaching a height of around nine meters (30 feet), higher than two-story houses.
Entire areas were flooded with large amounts of water, according to drone footage captured on Saturday. When a lot of rain falls quickly and the earth cannot absorb it, flash floods happen. Because it is particularly vulnerable to floods, central Texas is known as “flash flood alley.”
“Flash floods are generated by a mix of elements. Elements include mountainous terrain with steep slopes, thin soil, and extremely severe rainfall in a short period of time”. A professor of civil and environmental engineering at Texas A&M University told the media.
Texas Flooding Rescue Operation
On Tuesday, five children and one camp counsellor remained missing. Some of the victims were spending the summer at Camp Mystic. It is located close to the banks of the river. Questions about whether local officials might have alerted residents to the dangers of flash floods in the Texas Hill Country earlier have angered them.
Thunderstorms have hampered local attempts to find survivors, but rescue teams from other states and Mexico have stepped in. During the news briefing, Texas Game Wardens Lieutenant Colonel Ben Baker stated, “The work is extremely treacherous, time-consuming.” “The job is filthy, there is still water,” he said. According to a spokeswoman, U.S. President Donald Trump will travel to the damaged area this week.
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