At least 51 people killed in Texas flooding - five members of one man's family among missing

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🗞️ Driving the news: At least 51 people, including 15 children, have died in catastrophic flash flooding along the Guadalupe River in Texas following heavy rains on July 4
• Rescue teams are still searching for dozens of missing people, including 27 girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp
• Families have been torn apart, with survivors recounting harrowing escapes as waters rose swiftly overnight

🔭 The context: The Texas Hill Country is one of the most flash-flood-prone regions in the United States, due to its rocky terrain and numerous river crossings
• Despite advance warnings from the National Weather Service and private forecasters, local authorities admitted they did not anticipate the scale of rainfall, which caused rivers to rise over 22 feet in just two hours
• Criticism has mounted over the lack of effective early warning systems for camps and residents in vulnerable areas

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The tragedy highlights growing challenges posed by more intense and unpredictable weather events linked to climate change
• Inadequate preparedness and underinvestment in resilience infrastructure leave communities exposed to mounting climate risks
• The disaster underscores the urgent need for upgraded flood forecasting, early-warning technologies, and local adaptation strategies to protect lives in flood-prone regions

⏭️ What's next: Search and rescue operations continue around the clock, with hundreds already saved but dozens still unaccounted for
• Federal and state authorities face scrutiny over preparedness and response, while proposed budget cuts to NOAA and its climate programs are drawing criticism for undermining national weather readiness
• Investigations into why evacuation orders were delayed and whether a long-discussed flood siren system could have reduced casualties are likely to follow

💬 One quote: "Accurate weather forecasts matter. FEMA and NOAA matter. Because little girls' lives matter." — Frank Figliuzzi, NBC News analyst

📈 One stat: The Guadalupe River rose over 22 feet in just two hours, overwhelming communities along its banks

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