A flash flood, the country’s leading storm-related fatality, ripped over Texas’ Hill Country on Friday, killing at least 24 people and leaving many missing. Among those absent are over
As of late Friday, authorities reported that over 230 individuals had been rescued, more than 160 of them had been transported by helicopter.
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Flash floods develop quickly.
A flash flood is defined as flooding that starts within six hours of heavy rainfall, and frequently within three hours.
The weather service says individuals are caught off surprise by the rapid rise of the water. When traveling, a lot of people have difficulties. The water can rise so fast at home or at work that people are stranded before they have time to consider how to get out.
Residents in Kerr County and the surrounding area along the Guadalupe River experienced just that when at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain fell from the sky early on Friday morning.
Homes and cars were washed away Friday morning as swift-moving floods along the river climbed 26 feet (8 meters) in just 45 minutes before daybreak. Flash flood warnings and flood watches were still in force for portions of central Texas, and additional intense rains were predicted for Saturday, so the threat was far from finished.
In Texas, there was some prior notice.
The National Weather Service declared a flood watch on Thursday afternoon, predicting that water levels might rise up to 7 inches (17 cm) in certain areas. Although dangerous conditions may not materialize, a watch indicates that flood conditions are favorable and that people should be ready.
Overnight, however, the watch was changed to a flood warning, which affected 30,000 people. According to the weather service, a warning is sent when flooding is expected or is happening.
“Everything was done to give them a heads-up that you could have heavy rain,” said Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, adding that the possibility of flooding and heavy rain covered a wide area.
Judge Rob Kelly, the county’s top elected official, responded, “We do not have a warning system,” when asked how Kerr County residents were informed so they could evacuate.
Kelly said, “Don’t worry, nobody knew this kind of flood was coming,” in response to reporters’ questions about why additional safety measures weren’t implemented.
Flash floods can be fatal.
based on the weather service last year. Over the last 30 years, floods have killed 127 people a year on average.
People are trapped in cars by floods.
Vehicles are involved in about half of all flood-related fatalities. All age groups are affected by flood deaths.
Many people are unaware that an automobile can be washed away in as little as 18 inches (46 centimeters) of water and becomes challenging to maneuver in as little as 6 inches (15 centimeters). People attempt to drive through water at underpasses or other low-lying places far too frequently rather than finding a diversion.
Flash floods can occur anywhere.
The weather agency claims that it can occur anywhere and that if there is a lot of rain falling overhead, the often peaceful streams and creeks in your neighborhood could turn into raging torrents.
If a location is downstream of a heavy rainstorm and a swollen stream is headed toward it, it can flood even in the absence of rain.
Flash flooding can be caused by a variety of meteorological phenomena, including hurricanes, tropical storms, torrential rains from non-cyclonic weather systems, and dam breaches. Both big cities and rural places may experience them.
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Adrian Sainz, a correspondent for the Associated Press, contributed.
