Texas floods death toll surpasses 100 as calls for accountability grow

Disaster Overview - Central Texas experienced severe flooding along the Guadalupe and Lano Rivers, with water rising over 30 feet in some areas [1][2] - The catastrophic flooding affected six counties and resulted in at least 104 fatalities [6] - Camp Mystic reported 27 campers and counselors among the dead and missing [3][8] Impact and Aftermath - Extensive destruction of homes, bridges, and infrastructure was observed, with RVs flipped and cabins inundated [2][5][10] - Search and rescue teams faced challenges navigating through massive debris fields of mangled steel, tree branches, and tree trunks [4] - Many residents were caught by surprise, with some unaware of the impending danger despite flood watches being in effect [19][20] Emergency Response and Warnings - Urgent flash flood warnings were issued, but many residents were asleep or did not receive the alerts in time [22] - The Texas Lieutenant Governor is advocating for increased funding for outdoor warning sirens [21] - The National Weather Service is facing scrutiny regarding staffing shortages and the timing of warnings [23] Meteorological Factors - Unexpectedly heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 20 inches, contributed to the rapid river rise [24] - Moisture from tropical storm Barry exacerbated the situation, leading to higher humidity levels [25] - A pre-existing drought in the area caused the ground to be hard, increasing the rate of water runoff [25]