Three days after the devastating floods in Texas, an important question remains: how could this happen? The dry and steep terrain plays an important role. But some politicians also think back to a discussion about a warning system that ultimately did not come.
After heavy rainfall, the Guadelupe quickly stepped outside the banks at the end of the night: the water level rose by 8 meters in 45 minutes. Houses in the valley were destroyed and campers were dragged along.
Rescuers found 82 dead so far and it is feared that the number is increasing. It is unknown how many people are still missing. At least 850 people were saved by social workers from the river basin in Hill Country.
The flood happened in a hilly area. Hill Country is known as the area in the United States with the greatest risk of flooding. The steep slopes ensure that water flows quickly to rivers, writes hydrologist Hatim Sharif in the conversation .
Moreover, the area has a semi -desert climate, with periods of great drought. That was also the case lately. The soil was extra hard and did little water. As a result, almost all rain flowed towards the river.
Exceptional rainfall due to the remains of tropical storm
In the night from Thursday to Friday a lot of precipitation fell: 30 centimeters in just a few hours. The extreme showers were the result of moist air that remained from tropical storm Barry. That storm landed a week earlier on the east coast of Mexico. When the storm was exhausted, moisture stuck high in the air. That went north.
Above Texas, that area collided with a different stream of damp air, which came from the Pacific Ocean from the West. For example, a rain area with intense rainfall grew.
That was also a consequence of the high temperatures and the high humidity. The air was moist because of the warm air, making the showers so intense. All that precipitation ensured that the water level in the river rose very quickly. The dry and steep terrain and the extreme rain were the ultimate conditions for a flood.
Warnings arrived late
After the flood, many Texans wonder why it was not previously warned. Some local residents only received an emergency report on their phone when the roads around their house were already under water, reports The New York Times .
It is a mystery for national weather centers why warning in some places along the river lasted a long time. The National Weather Service, the weather service of the US government, and the Private AccuWeather sent the first warnings on Thursday evening. Local authorities did not comply much. Some residents and holidaymakers did not see the heavy rain and the extremely high water coming.
Owners of some camping sites along the river saw those warnings and decided to move their guests to higher areas. But not everyone was aware, such as on Camp Mystic. After the flood, ten more girls are missing there.
Warnings with sirens were too expensive
The question that many people ask is: why is there no better warning system along the river, if the dangers are known? The painful answer: local politics found installing it too expensive, local (former) directors tell The New York Times and AP .
The city council met about a warning system after flooding in 2015 from a river about 120 kilometers away. That system had to consist of sirens along the river, which warn when the water level rises quickly. The residents would not have seen it to spend tax money on an alarm system. It concerned an amount of around 850,000 euros.
In retrospect it is difficult to assess how many lives such a warning system could have saved.
Three Days After The Devastating Floods in Texas, an Important Question Remains: How Could This Happen? The Dry and Steep Terrain Plays an Important Role. But some politicians also look back at a discussion about a warning system, which ultimately did not materialize.
The Guadelupe Rapidly Burst Its Banks After Heavy Rainfall at the End of the Night: The Water Level Rose by 8 meters in 45 minutes. Houses in the Valley Were Destroyed and Campers Were Swept Away.
RESCUERS HAVE SO FAR Found 82 Dead and it is feared that the number will continuous to rise. It is unknown how many people are still missing. At Least 850 People Were Rescued by Emergency Services from the River Basin in Hill Country.
The Flooding Occurred in A Hilly Area. Hill Country is Known As the Area in the United States with the Greatest Risk of Flooding. The Steep Slopes Ensure That Water Flows Quickly to Rivers, Writes Hydrologist Hatim Sharif in the Conversation .
In Addition, The Area Has a Semi-Desert Climate, With Periods of Great Drought. That was also the case recent. The Soil was extra hard and absorbed little water. As a result, almost all the rain flowed to the river.
Exceptionally High Rainfall Due to Remnants of Tropical Storm
On the night from Thursday to Friday there was a lot of rainfall: 30 centimeters in Just a Few Hours. The Extreme Showers Were The Result of Moist Air Left about from Tropical Storm Barry. That Storm Made Landfall on the East Coast of Mexico A Week Earlier. When the storm had subsided, moisture remained high in the air. That moved to the North.
Above Texas, that area collided with another stream of moist air, which came from the pacific ocean from the west. This is how a rain area with intense precipitation grew.
That was also a result of the high temperatures and the high humidity. Due to the Warm Air, The Air was Humid, Making the Showers So Heavy. All that precipitation caused the water level in the river to rise very quickly. The Dry and Steep Terrain and the Extreme Rain Were the Ultimate Conditions for a Flood.
Warnings Came in Late
After the floods, Many Texans Are Wondering Why There was not an Earlier Warning. Some Local Residents Only Received An Emergency Message On Their Phone When The Roads Around Their House Were Already Under Water, Reports The New York Times .
It is a Mystery to National Weather CENTERS Why the Warning Toke So Long in Some Places Along The River. The National Weather Service, The US Government’s Weather Service, and the Private AccuWeather Sent The First Warnings on Thursday Evening. Local Authorities Paid Little Attention to this. As a result, some residents and vacationers did not see the heavy rain and extremely high water coming.
Owners of some campsites along the river Did See Those Warnings and Decided to Move Their Guests to Higher Ground. But not everyone was aware, such as at camp mystic. Ten Girls Are Still Missing There After The Flood.
Warnings with Sirens Were Too Expensive
The Question That Many People Are Asking is Therefore: Why Is There No Better Warning System Along The River, If The Dangers Are Known? The Painful Answer: Local Politics Thought Installing It was too Expendive, Local (Former) Administrators Tell the New York Times and AP .
The City Council with About A Warning System After Floods in 2015 or A River About 120 kilometers Away. That system was to consist of Sirens Along the river, which Warn When the Water Level Rises Rapidly. The Residents would not have liked to spend tax money on an alarm system. IT CONCERNED an Amount of About 850,000 euros.
In Hindsight, it is Difficult to Assess How Many Lives Such A Warning System Could Have Saved.