The catastrophic floods in Texas were killed by more than 120 people, while 173 were still missing after the Guadalupe River became a deadly “tsunami” that rose 26 feet in 45 minutes.
This tragedy in “Flash Flood Alley” reflects the national crisis: extreme weather events are now 58% more common than in the age of 80, but public attitudes and infrastructure have not adapted.
According to the AP report, climate scientist Michael Oppenheimer warns: “What used to be extreme becomes average … We will start to experience things that have never happened before.” Despite the urgent warning, many in the Camp Mystic evacuated and 27 drowned like flood waters.
Why warnings are unnoticed
People constantly underestimate new climatic risks due to “normal” bias ” – the handover of past survival means future security. “Just because I have experienced a flood does not mean that another will look the same,” explains Lori Peek, a disaster expert.
In Texas Hill Country, residents rejected alert, because “floods all the time,” she did not know that climate change caused this storm 7% humid and 1.5 ° C warmer than historical standards.
Kerm County even eliminated flood sirens years ago because of worries about costs. Social scientist Kim McClain urges: “If you are used to unpleasant floods, look at Texas – this is the transfer of the baseline”.
The gutted agencies worsen the crisis
Federal disasters agencies are in chaos after Trump’s release has removed 1/3 of FEMA experts and 600+ national meteorological services.
The San Antonio weather office was lost by a meteorologist with the flood management of the month before the disaster. Texas officials now accuse forecast gaps, although the records show that 22 warnings have been issued.
“Fema is so exhausted, it is not clear whether they can start huge reactions,” warns Emergency Professor Samantha Montano.
At the same time, Trump’s budget of 2026 reduces NOAA weather by $ 150 million and reduces National Science Foundation by $ 56%.
Path forward: Planning for unprecedented
Experts demand urgent changes: modernize warning systems, fund agencies and prepare for the worst scenarios.
Texas Dan Patrick now promises flood sirens for Kerr County, while Canadian climatologists urge a cross -border storm while the weather moves north.
“We are destroying the abilities that we need more in the future,” emphasizes Oppenheimer, and we notice that aging infrastructure and population growth in risk risks of dangerous zones.
With the Climate Extreme Index index, the message is clear: yesterday’s defense cannot resist tomorrow’s storms.
(Tagstotranslate) Extreme weather
