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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Axios or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: The number of people still missing after Texas’ devastating early July floods has dropped sharply from 160 to just three, according to Kerr County officials
• The floods, which struck on July 4, killed at least 135 people, including many children at Camp Mystic, a summer camp along the Guadalupe River
• Search and recovery operations are now entering their third week
🔭 The context: The extreme flooding was triggered by unprecedented rainfall in central Texas, overwhelming riverbanks and inundating campsites and communities during the busy holiday week
• Kerr County, located northwest of San Antonio, suffered the heaviest toll, accounting for 107 deaths
• Scientists have linked the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events to climate change, which is amplifying rainfall intensity in the region
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The tragedy underscores the human cost of climate-driven weather extremes, particularly in areas with vulnerable infrastructure and at-risk populations
• As more communities face higher flood risks, the need for climate adaptation measures — such as improved early warning systems, resilient infrastructure, and better land-use planning — becomes increasingly urgent
• Events like this also highlight the social equity dimensions of climate resilience, as children and rural communities often bear disproportionate impacts
⏭️ What's next: Authorities will continue search and recovery until all missing are accounted for, while state and local agencies assess damages and begin rebuilding efforts
• The disaster is expected to renew debate over Texas’ flood preparedness and spur calls for updated hazard maps, stricter zoning laws near rivers, and expanded investment in climate-resilient infrastructure
• Federal disaster aid requests are being reviewed in Washington, with funding decisions anticipated in the coming weeks
💬 One quote: “This was a catastrophic, historic event that no one in Kerr County will ever forget,” — County Judge Rob Kelly
📈 One stat: 107 of the 135 confirmed fatalities occurred in Kerr County alone, making it one of the deadliest single-county flood disasters in U.S. history
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