Texas Flood
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From: Michigan
I am in no way blaming people here as this sort of thing is very hard to avoid sometimes and we do not know all the facts. But, it does surprise me that at a camp like that, the counselors did not have a weather radio around. Granted, I think the flash flood warning came in about 45 minutes before the water shot up (and one report I read said it came up over 20 ft in that 45 minute period), so I am not sure if they would have gotten to safety in time, but sure seems like that is one cheap thing they could have had around. I know when we camp, we take our walkie talkies that have the WX stations programmed in for this purpose. We have been pretty close to being in very bad situations weather wise and depended on those to inform us if out of cell signal range. It is a horrible thing for sure. I cannot imagine what the families of those kids are going through right now 
I have seen a lot of stories of people getting caught in flash floods and it is extremely surprising how fast it can happen. Many hiking in desert areas have taken to the bottom of crevasses to get some shade, only to suddenly be trapped and killed by a flash flood that started miles away. Not something to be taken lightly
I have seen a lot of stories of people getting caught in flash floods and it is extremely surprising how fast it can happen. Many hiking in desert areas have taken to the bottom of crevasses to get some shade, only to suddenly be trapped and killed by a flash flood that started miles away. Not something to be taken lightly
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There was a flood warning issued earlier on Thursday but looks like it wasn't taken seriously or not serious enough. Real shame. There's two parts of the one camp where the girls were, the newest part was just built in 2019, whoever gave permission to build it right in the floodplain is an idiot.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: bolton
I used to have to risk management on some of the programs I worked.
You need to look at likelihood ( from 0 to 1.0) vs impact. If the risk likelihood is above 50% you aren't allowed to execute since it is a problem.
Here the scenario of risk was high. It had happened in 2015 so relatively recently.
We are seeing the impact which was catastrophic.
I would say, I bet there are thousands of riverside camps spread across the country.
They should have to do a risk assessment and figure out the safe areas to go to, training of staff, evaluating alert systems and so forth.
A camp on the river is a great experience for kids but just don't be stupid and ignore the risks that come along for the ride.
You need to look at likelihood ( from 0 to 1.0) vs impact. If the risk likelihood is above 50% you aren't allowed to execute since it is a problem.
Here the scenario of risk was high. It had happened in 2015 so relatively recently.
We are seeing the impact which was catastrophic.
I would say, I bet there are thousands of riverside camps spread across the country.
They should have to do a risk assessment and figure out the safe areas to go to, training of staff, evaluating alert systems and so forth.
A camp on the river is a great experience for kids but just don't be stupid and ignore the risks that come along for the ride.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,695
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From: Sacramento
In '87 the same area flooded that killed 10. Some years later(I think around 2000) the local gov. thought about weather warning sirens but said they would cost to much even though the Fed would pay 80% to 90% I think the news said it would cost 1 million, so 100k to 200k to the local gov, Maybe 300 dead, that money for the warning sirens could have saved a lot of lives.
FOIA has helped the news get time lines and radio communications, just like the Texas school shooting the truth will come out. Well at least most of it.
Rod
FOIA has helped the news get time lines and radio communications, just like the Texas school shooting the truth will come out. Well at least most of it.
Rod
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: bolton
Digging into the timeline of events
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2785898.html
https://www.npr.org/2025/07/05/nx-s1...loods-timeline
NPR has a better detailed timeline.
The popular videos shot by the guy on bridge showing the river rise was apparently later in the day due to lighting. ( my guess)
The kids in the camp were likely still asleep when the severe flooding struck.
Credit to the city manager who was out there in the wee hours but made the wrong decision at that time.
It doesn't have to be raining on you o get a flash flood.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/w...-b2785898.html
At 1:14am, the service issued a “life-threatening flash flooding” warning for Kerrville, where much of the devastation has been concentrated, triggering a separate cellphone alert system.
That alert was issued more than three hours before the first reports of flooding came in, an agency spokesperson told The Independent.
That alert was issued more than three hours before the first reports of flooding came in, an agency spokesperson told The Independent.
NPR has a better detailed timeline.
The popular videos shot by the guy on bridge showing the river rise was apparently later in the day due to lighting. ( my guess)
The kids in the camp were likely still asleep when the severe flooding struck.
Credit to the city manager who was out there in the wee hours but made the wrong decision at that time.
It doesn't have to be raining on you o get a flash flood.
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 37,581
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From: bolton
A few days after the texas flood was a flash flood in New Mexico.
I have to question the wisdom of the folks in the first segment of the video.
They're talking about the house washing down the raging river which is obviously at their own feet.
Maybe rather than shooting the really cool video they should be getting their butts to safer ground.
They're talking about the house washing down the raging river which is obviously at their own feet.
Maybe rather than shooting the really cool video they should be getting their butts to safer ground.
Last edited by boltonblue; Jul 11, 2025 at 08:20 AM.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,695
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From: Sacramento
A first responder asked for a code red at 4:22, dispatch came back with "we have to get that approved with our supervisor"
The New York Times identified three times between '17 and '24 when local officials sought funding for a flood warning system but were refused by the state.
Also, the last administration put money in the bank for the warning system but they, the local supervisors turned the money down and sent it back the Washington, Smart move.
Rod
The New York Times identified three times between '17 and '24 when local officials sought funding for a flood warning system but were refused by the state.
Also, the last administration put money in the bank for the warning system but they, the local supervisors turned the money down and sent it back the Washington, Smart move.
Rod