Deadly Texas Floods Kill 52, Prompt National Weather Service Scrutiny

Central Texas suffered catastrophic flash flooding on July 4, 2025, resulting in at least 52 deaths, including 15 children, and numerous individuals missing, notably 27 girls from Camp Mystic. Texas officials have raised concerns that the National Weather Service (NWS) did not provide sufficiently accurate or frequent forecasts and alerts ahead of the flood, with local leaders stating that the actual rainfall far exceeded forecasted amounts and that warnings came too late to prompt timely evacuations. The NWS issued a flood watch on July 3 and a flash flood warning early July 4, but some residents and officials felt these alerts did not clearly convey the severity or urgency of the situation. Meanwhile, meteorologists and NWS employees have defended the agency, noting that forecasts and warnings were issued as early as possible, but acknowledging that recent staffing cuts and leadership vacancies—stemming from budget reductions—may have impacted the agency's capacity. The flooding, fueled by an unprecedented and stalled storm system, overwhelmed the Guadalupe River rapidly, leading to widespread devastation and raising questions about the resilience of weather warning systems amid increasing extreme weather events. Authorities continue search-and-rescue efforts while facing scrutiny over preparedness and communication with affected communities.