This is a thread killer.

BBC Verify has examined the impact of cuts under President Trump in this area and while there has been a reduction in the workforce at the NWS, experts who we spoke to said the staffing on hand for the Texas floods appears to have been adequate.

This would take effect in the 2026 financial year which begins in October this year - so these particular cuts would not have contributed to the Texas tragedy.

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/clyndrwz00xo

Belgarion wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 12:28pm:


It's actually scum of the earth using the deaths of children to further their agenda of hate.

Gordon wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 9:18am:


How would he know given he was no longer there

Gordon wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 12:25pm:


Are you sure?

This seems a little like the John West approach.  It's what you leave out that's important, but let's check.

Quote:


Adequate for what? Forecasting and issuing warnings?

Maybe, but as usual, there's far more beneath the surface.

Meet Paul Yura, the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) Austin/San Antonio office. With over 32 years' experience, Yura was instrumental in communicating severe weather threats to local authorities and the public.

"Was", because that role is now empty.

Guess why?

His departure in April 2025, triggered by federal buyout offers tied to Trump's DOGE cuts, left a serious void in the region's emergency communication. By early July 2025, six out of 27 positions in that office remained unfilled, including Yura's.

Former NOAA and NWS officials highlighted that while forecasts were as accurate as possible given the circumstances, the loss of experienced personnel hindered effective communication with local authorities during the crisis.

Link

It may have killed the thread, but not the way you think it would.

lee wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 5:37pm:


Why hasn't Trump visited the area, lee?

Dnarever wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 6:35pm:


"THE DAY BEFORE, the NWS Forecast Office in San Antonia put out a flood watch for central Texas Hill Country, which included the site of the tragedy."

[url]  https://cliffmass.blogspot.com/2025/07/the-texas-flooding-tragedy-could-it.html[/url]

"Tuesday, July 2

On July 2, the Texas Division of Emergency Management said it activated "state emergency response resources in anticipation of increased threats of flooding in parts of West and Central Texas heading into the holiday weekend."
Thursday, July 3

10:48 a.m.: The National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center upgrades portions of south-central Texas, including Kerr County and surrounding areas, to a level 2 of 4 risk for excessive rainfall.

1:18 p.m.: A flood watch is issued by the NWS Austin/San Antonio office, including Kerr County and surrounding areas in south-central Texas, through Friday morning.

The alert mentions locally heavy rainfall could cause flash flooding in the region with isolated amounts of 5 to 7 inches possible, adding, "Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations. Creeks and streams may rise out of their banks."

6:10 p.m.: The Weather Prediction Center highlights the south-central Texas region (including Texas Hill Country) as an area of increasing concern for slow-moving, training thunderstorms (meaning rounds of thunderstorms moving over the same area) with the potential for rainfall rates exceeding 3 inches per hour into the evening hours and beyond."

https://abcnews.go.com/US/timeline-catastrophic-flooding-texas-claims-lives-27/s...

And that was all the day before the flood.

"Friday, July 4

1:14 a.m.: A flash flood warning is issued for Bandera and Kerr counties and include the "considerable" alert tag.

Flash flood warnings with the impact-based warning tags "considerable" or "catastrophic" denote high-damage threats, according to the NWS, and will automatically trigger Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) on enabled mobile devices, including NOAA weather radios.

This ensures only the most life-threatening flash flood events prompt urgent public notifications.

This NWS alert mentioned flash flooding and highlighted the threat of "life-threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses" for locations like Kerrville, Ingram, Hunt, and the Kerr Wildlife Management area to name a few.

3:35 a.m.: The original flash flood warning is upgraded and includes more serious and specific wording:

"Move to higher ground now. Act quickly to protect your life. Flooding is occurring or is imminent. It is important to know where you are relative to streams, rivers, or creeks which can become killers in heavy rains. Campers and hikers should avoid streams or creeks."

4:03 a.m.: The flash flood warning is upgraded to a flash flood emergency for south-central Kerr County, Including Hunt.

"Numerous low water crossings as well as the Guadalupe River at Hunt are flooding. Between 4 and 10 inches of rain have fallen. The expected rainfall rate is 2 to 4 inches in 1 hour. Additional rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is already occurring," the NWS wrote.

It continued, "This is a FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY for South-central Kerr County, including Hunt. This is a PARTICULARLY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK HIGHER GROUND NOW!"

4:35 a.m.: First reports of flash flooding start coming in from local officials, including the Kerr County Sheriff's Office, reporting flash flooding at low water crossings."

ibid

The day of the flood.

You should make sure you get your timelines straight.

lee wrote on Jul 11^th, 2025 at 7:20pm:



He got elected. Nothing he has done to the weather service takes effect until October.