Catastrophic floods in Central Texas: 70 dead, dozens missing
6 july 2025 в 22:13
In early July 2025, central Texas was hit by sudden floods, causing a catastrophic disaster that has already claimed at least 70 lives and left dozens missing. At a press conference on July 6, 2025, the head of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, W. Nim Kidd, stated that officials are still actively searching for survivors, but acknowledged that «these efforts will at some point transition into a recovery mode».
Fueled by an unusual collision of the remnants of a tropical storm and stagnant weather systems, the floods caused record river levels to rise, inundating cities, camps, and rural communities with minimal warning. As search and rescue operations continue, Texas is facing the scale of one of the deadliest weather events in its recent history.
The National Weather Service tracked the unfolding floods across central Texas, starting with warnings issued as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry approached.
Meteorologists explained the sudden floods as a convergence of the circulation of the remnants of Barry and Pacific moisture over central Texas, leading to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service had warned of possible mesoscale flash floods, but the rapid rise in river levels — up to 29 feet in a matter of hours — overwhelmed emergency response plans.
The National Weather Service did issue flash flood warnings ahead of the storms, but some communities and camps either did not receive timely warnings or did not have clear evacuation protocols. Emergency officials in Kerr County admitted they were caught off guard by how quickly river levels rose.
As of July 6, search and rescue operations remain active in the flooded areas of central Texas, with over 850 people rescued by emergency services, including the Texas National Guard.
Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency, and FEMA began setting up disaster relief centers. President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County on July 6, directing FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and federal aid to bolster local response efforts
Fueled by an unusual collision of the remnants of a tropical storm and stagnant weather systems, the floods caused record river levels to rise, inundating cities, camps, and rural communities with minimal warning. As search and rescue operations continue, Texas is facing the scale of one of the deadliest weather events in its recent history.
The National Weather Service tracked the unfolding floods across central Texas, starting with warnings issued as the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry approached.
Meteorologists explained the sudden floods as a convergence of the circulation of the remnants of Barry and Pacific moisture over central Texas, leading to heavy rainfall. The National Weather Service had warned of possible mesoscale flash floods, but the rapid rise in river levels — up to 29 feet in a matter of hours — overwhelmed emergency response plans.
The National Weather Service did issue flash flood warnings ahead of the storms, but some communities and camps either did not receive timely warnings or did not have clear evacuation protocols. Emergency officials in Kerr County admitted they were caught off guard by how quickly river levels rose.
As of July 6, search and rescue operations remain active in the flooded areas of central Texas, with over 850 people rescued by emergency services, including the Texas National Guard.
Governor Greg Abbott declared a state of emergency, and FEMA began setting up disaster relief centers. President Donald Trump signed a Major Disaster Declaration for Kerr County on July 6, directing FEMA, the Department of Homeland Security, Border Patrol, and federal aid to bolster local response efforts
© Artemenko Olga
