'Remarkably troubling': Impact of admin's firing of NOAA staff and withdrawal of funds

Emergency Response & Preparedness - Initial responders rescued over 200 people and evacuated over 100 homes within the first hour of the flooding [2] - Gaps exist in the alert system and communication, hindering quick responses before floodwaters reached critical levels [4] - Questions remain about the resources available on the ground before the floodwaters arrived, creating a disconnect between local and state officials [8][9][11] - A state-approved disaster plan existed for Camp Mystic just two days before the floods, but the specifics of its execution are still under investigation [16][17][18] Weather Forecasting & Resource Allocation - National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for Bandera, Kerr, and other counties before the worst flooding began [15] - National Weather Service forecasters are understaffed and overworked, potentially compromising their ability to keep the public safe [20][21] - Proposed budget cuts threaten research labs and universities that develop the scientific tools used for weather forecasting, potentially hindering future forecast accuracy [22][23] Long-Term Implications & Climate Change - The frequency of extreme weather events, such as "100-year floods," is increasing, with some communities experiencing such events multiple times within a decade [23][24] - Climate change is identified as a contributing factor to the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events [24]