Texas Floods

[Watcher]

Help me understand how something like this can happen in Texas.

I don´t know the geography of Texas very well, but in my mind most of the state is flat as a pancake.

The news is reporting that the river rose 8 meters in 45 minutes. To me, that can only happen where hills/ mountains are, with a ravine or valley between them.

Also, if the area where this happened is know for flash floods, why the hell were so many people camping there?

As a kid in the 3rd grade, we drove from northern Illinois to Brownsville, Texas. From what I remember, (which isn´t much, I´m 60 now) all I saw was flat land.

[RickeyM]

I guess "flat" is relative? A lot of relatively flat area collects a lot of water, which has to go somewhere.
MAGA nitwits in are blaming the over abundant rainfall which caused the flooding on "the government" meddling with the weather.
“Fake weather. Fake hurricanes. Fake flooding. Fake. Fake. Fake.”

IT'S THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE'S FAULT!

But climate change is a hoax, right?

[Rajoo]

Originally Posted by Watcher

Help me understand how something like this can happen in Texas.

I don´t know the geography of Texas very well, but in my mind most of the state is flat as a pancake.

The news is reporting that the river rose 8 meters in 45 minutes. To me, that can only happen where hills/ mountains are, with a ravine or valley between them.

Also, if the area where this happened is know for flash floods, why the hell were so many people camping there?

As a kid in the 3rd grade, we drove from northern Illinois to Brownsville, Texas. From what I remember, (which isn´t much, I´m 60 now) all I saw was flat land.

I checked on that specific item yesterday since the area is called hill country, the highest hill is 800 feet with most of them around 500 feet. That is like a five story building. These camps seem to be on the high ground above the Guadalupe river and surprised that our dear Felon has not suggested digging drainage ditches for the water to flow back into the river thus preventing flood. But he may be busy with the newfound border funds to dole out to folks who own Gatortraz. Or shopping with Kristi on Wirth Avenue.

[Watcher]

Ok, thanks for the insight.

[bobabode]

There needs to be an alarm system like we have for tornados and tsunamis. Seems like a no brainer in an area notorious for flash floods. The death toll is closing in one hundred.

Twelve inches of rain in 45 minutes

Prayers sent to the families burying their kids and others.

[Oerets]

I'm pretty sure they get emergency alerts on cell phones like we do here. You do need a cell phone to be on plus have cell service of course for them to arrive.

If they were warned many hours previously to the events most may have figured the worse was over.

Now if they were not timely and also this was at night. So could of been missed by many.

In my neck of the woods we experience flash floods and have witnessed a few. The problem always seems that people get use to being warned then nothing happening. So when one does occur they are not prepared or have waited to late to be.

So the roar of the oncoming rush of water may be the only warning most may have had.

[piece-itpete]

Agreed Bob, prayers to those sad families

Here's a video on YT from a bridge on that river.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxiuIXIof_w

Pete

[RickeyM]

Originally Posted by bobabode

There needs to be an alarm system like we have for tornados and tsunamis. Seems like a no brainer in an area notorious for flash floods. The death toll is closing in one hundred.

Twelve inches of rain in 45 minutes

Prayers sent to the families burying their kids and others.

There wasa bill proposed to create an early warning system for natural disasters but it was voted down. The cost was too much they said.
Scientists and climatologists said because of global warming storms will increase in severity.
Republicans say climate change is a hoax.

[Oerets]

I have a NOAA radio that alerts for flash floods along with tornado and severe storms.

Like I stated before my cell phone stays busy with alerts of all kinds weather related. Some are from the county and others from one of the local TV station weather department.

A lot of times people will push their luck in staying to long. Or driving thru high water.

Staying for reasons that vary greatly. Thinking it will not happen or pass. Afraid of theft or pets needing attention.

Saying things like the water was never this high before.

[RickeyM]

Call me chicken if you will but I'm not building or camping in a flood zone. Flash flooding. Flash being the operative word. Baltimore is largely above sea level but there are low lying areas that flood in heavy rains.