Texas Flash Floods Kill Nearly 100 Across Hill Country

Central Texas experienced catastrophic flash floods over the July 4th weekend, resulting in at least 90 deaths, including many children at a summer camp along the Guadalupe River, and numerous people missing. The disaster was driven by a rare combination of geographic and meteorological factors, including a slow-moving, energy-charged low-pressure system and saturated terrain from Tropical Storm Barry's moisture. Despite initial criticism from some Texas officials and political figures, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Donald Trump, blaming the National Weather Service (NWS) for inadequate forecasting, NWS representatives and experts have stated that staffing and technology were sufficient and that the forecasts reflected the challenging nature of the event. The Texas Hill Country, known as 'Flash Flood Alley,' is particularly vulnerable to such flooding due to its dry, compacted soil and topography, which exacerbate runoff and flood severity. Some commentators argue the disaster was avoidable with better warning systems and infrastructure, calling for the establishment of a U.S. Disaster Review Board to prevent future tragedies. Political debates have centered on budget cuts to federal agencies during the Trump administration, though experts emphasize the natural and complex causes of the floods rather than solely attributing them to policy decisions.