Doge reduced warning and response time for the Texas flood.

[1srelluc]

So, did the NWS not broadcast an alert ?

Flooding in North Carolina

www.weather.gov

~S~

They did but given the time of night many folk's phones were off. I don't know if localities did a landline alert or not given how quick things went downhill.

 

[Grumblenuts]

Maxdeath isn't wrong on this though as far as the weather forecasting. I hate Trump. I hate MAGA. I hate the GOP. I really want to find a way to assign culpability to them for this. I cannot, however, find any evidence of it. Extra staff was on hand in Texas, the warnings went out. It was just really sucky timing being in the middle of the night when a lot of people weren't up to get updated more severe forecast than the one that had been out during the day/evening. Sort of the same thing happened here in 2018 with Tropical Storm Michael except the radical last minute change in the forecast from breezy and showers to Batten Down The Hatches went out in the afternoon when people were already out shopping and working and such. That storm was supposed to hit a cold front out in the sticks many hours later far from here. Instead, that cold front started moving in faster and they collided right over our city, unleashing an unholy amount of rain.

"Maxdeath" sounds like someone promoting maximum death. The avatar as well. Not really "sensitive." That's all I meant.

 

[sparky]

They did but given the time of night many folk's phones were off.

ok thx Relluc , they indeed did do their job as they normally would have , the timing of which just didn't work out ?

~S~

 

[1srelluc]

“The Weather Service’s nearby San Antonio office, which covers other areas hit by the floods, also had significant vacancies, including a warning coordination meteorologist and science officer, Mr. Fahy said. Staff members in those positions are meant to work with local emergency managers to plan for floods, including when and how to warn local residents and help them evacuate.

That office’s warning coordination meteorologist left on April 30, after taking the early retirement package the Trump administration used to reduce the number of federal employees, according to a person with knowledge of his departure.
[…]
Under the Trump administration, the Weather Service, like other federal agencies, has been pushed to reduce its number of employees. By this spring, through layoffs and retirements, the Weather Service had lost nearly 600 people from a work force that until recently was as large as 4,000.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/05/us/politics/texas-floods-warnings-vacancies.html

Less government, more death and destruction.

But at least their taxes are lower than they would otherwise be.

Remember, we had to close the mental institutions years ago. Now they have cellphones.

 

[Conservative from Georgia]

Doge taking a chain saw to our weather monitoring and warning systems and to FEMA has made the tragedy of the Texas flood even worse than it had to be. Those agencies were in place for a reason, and should have never been degraded by someone who didn't even understand why we need those agencies.


Yes, it's quite possible that victims of the recent Texas flood could have received earlier or more effective warnings if not for cuts and policy shifts tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and former President Donald Trump's administration.


What Happened in Texas?


On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flash flooding struck areas along the Guadalupe River, leading to fatalities and widespread emergency rescues. Local authorities issued urgent warnings, but the scale and speed of the flooding overwhelmed many systems.


How DOGE and Trump’s Policies May Have Affected This


According to investigative reporting from the Texas Observer and San Antonio Current, the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative significantly impacted federal disaster preparedness and response:

• FEMA Cuts: DOGE slashed FEMA’s workforce by about 20% and froze parts of its funding.
• Disaster Aid Shift: Trump announced plans to phase out FEMA and shift disaster response responsibilities to individual states, arguing governors should handle emergencies independently.
• Climate Risk Data Degradation: DOGE reportedly dismantled or degraded federal resources that track and model climate-augmented weather risks, such as flood forecasting and early warning systems.
• Infrastructure Investment Delays: Federal support for flood prevention projects—like levees and drainage upgrades—was reduced or delayed, leaving vulnerable areas more exposed.

Could Earlier Warnings Have Been Possible?


While local agencies like the Harris County Flood Control District did issue warnings, the broader federal infrastructure that supports early detection, modeling, and communication of extreme weather risks may have been weakened. This could have:

• Reduced the lead time for warnings
• Limited the accuracy of flood forecasts
• Slowed coordination between federal and local responders

So while it's speculative to say definitively that lives would have been saved, the evidence strongly suggests that federal cuts and policy shifts under DOGE and Trump made Texas—and its residents—more vulnerable to disasters like this one.

Trump’s DOGE Cuts Are a Texas-Sized Disaster

Reckless agency layoffs and the dismantling of federal relief programs could leave the Lone Star State in peril.

go.skimresources.com

Trump is starting to look as a contributor to the death of these children as a result of his DOGE cuts.

 

[Delldude]

These people were not replaced
Prove me wrong

NWS hiring early June.....for the hurricane season. 125 positions, meteorologists and specialists.

Funny, some 500 or so left voluntarily and now they only need 125?

 

[ReinyDays]

Thanks for posting this ...

This warning was issued at 1 am ... the flooding occurred at around 5 am ... I'm wondering if and when a watch was posted ... there were adults with those pre-teen girls ... they should have been prepared ...

 

[Twisted Gypsy Child]

Doge taking a chain saw to our weather monitoring and warning systems and to FEMA has made the tragedy of the Texas flood even worse than it had to be. Those agencies were in place for a reason, and should have never been degraded by someone who didn't even understand why we need those agencies.


Yes, it's quite possible that victims of the recent Texas flood could have received earlier or more effective warnings if not for cuts and policy shifts tied to the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and former President Donald Trump's administration.


What Happened in Texas?


On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flash flooding struck areas along the Guadalupe River, leading to fatalities and widespread emergency rescues. Local authorities issued urgent warnings, but the scale and speed of the flooding overwhelmed many systems.


How DOGE and Trump’s Policies May Have Affected This


According to investigative reporting from the Texas Observer and San Antonio Current, the Trump administration’s DOGE initiative significantly impacted federal disaster preparedness and response:

• FEMA Cuts: DOGE slashed FEMA’s workforce by about 20% and froze parts of its funding.
• Disaster Aid Shift: Trump announced plans to phase out FEMA and shift disaster response responsibilities to individual states, arguing governors should handle emergencies independently.
• Climate Risk Data Degradation: DOGE reportedly dismantled or degraded federal resources that track and model climate-augmented weather risks, such as flood forecasting and early warning systems.
• Infrastructure Investment Delays: Federal support for flood prevention projects—like levees and drainage upgrades—was reduced or delayed, leaving vulnerable areas more exposed.

Could Earlier Warnings Have Been Possible?


While local agencies like the Harris County Flood Control District did issue warnings, the broader federal infrastructure that supports early detection, modeling, and communication of extreme weather risks may have been weakened. This could have:

• Reduced the lead time for warnings
• Limited the accuracy of flood forecasts
• Slowed coordination between federal and local responders

So while it's speculative to say definitively that lives would have been saved, the evidence strongly suggests that federal cuts and policy shifts under DOGE and Trump made Texas—and its residents—more vulnerable to disasters like this one.

Trump’s DOGE Cuts Are a Texas-Sized Disaster

Reckless agency layoffs and the dismantling of federal relief programs could leave the Lone Star State in peril.

go.skimresources.com

this is what MAGAs believe is WINNING

 

[Delldude]

This idiot wants me to back up actual interviews with people affected by the reduction. Dude, just go ask Trump what happened. You’ve been lying this whole thread. Acting like cutting hundreds of jobs is semantics.

Two groups, one around 200, the other around 300 took buyouts and retirements.....out of 560.

Only need 125 new hires.

You aren't entitled to your own facts.

 

[citygator]

Two groups, one around 200, the other around 300 took buyouts and retirements.....out of 560.

Only need 125 new hires.

You aren't entitled to your own facts.

Dude they eliminated 600 jobs. Now they are scrambling to hire 125 immediately because of the negative effect of the random headcount reduction. They can’t staff many locations and said that if they didnt hire more people they would have to expand the offices that can’t function. Good thing weather disasters happen 9-5 M-F and not after hours or on weekends/holidays.

You are acting like 600 jobs didnt disappear. They did. You can’t deny that. 200 were specifically for weather forecasting.

 

[ReinyDays]

Thanks for posting this ...

This warning was issued at 1 am ... the flooding occurred at around 5 am ... I'm wondering if and when a watch was posted ... there were adults with those pre-teen girls ... they should have been prepared ...

Did some more poking around ... I found the actuall forecast form 12 hours before the tragedy ...

"Given the pockets of heavier rainfall this afternoon and evening,
and the potential for a lower probability but much higher impact
flood event overnight, opted to run a Flash Flood Watch from this
afternoon through sunrise Friday morning."

Here's the link, although it will change as new forecasts are issued ... so I've gone ahead and spoiled the entire text here:

Spoiler

295
FXUS64 KSJT 031857
AFDSJT

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service San Angelo TX
157 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

...New SHORT TERM...

.KEY MESSAGES...

- Another round of scattered showers and thunderstorms will
persist across the area this afternoon and evening.

- A Flash Flood Watch is now in effect for much of West Central
Texas along and south of i-20.Heavy rainfall is possible with
the stronger cells, which may result in localized flooding.

- Isolated to widely scattered showers and thunderstorms are
possible this weekend, with temperatures trending warmer.

&&

.SHORT TERM...
(This evening through Friday)
Issued at 134 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

Complicated forecast for West Central Texas the next 24 hours.
Latest radar shows a large area of showers and storms moving into
the Concho Valley and Edwards Plateau and this will continue to
spread northeast across much of West Central Texas into the
evening hours. This activity will continue to move, and likely to
produce fairly widespread 1/2 inch to 1 inch totals through
sunset, with heavier pockets of 1 to 2 inches possible. This is
Round 1 of the precipitation chances.

Round 2 is possible late tonight and into Friday morning and is
the more uncertain one, in coverage and location as well as
rainfall totals. The hi res models have continued to hit on a
heavier band developing across some portion of the area, most
likely east of an Abilene to San Angelo to Sonora line and focused
more of the Hill County and Heartland. This is when an MCV noted
across the Trans Pecos this afternoon drifts farther east and
interacts with a 30 or 35kt low level jet, potentially producing
an enhanced area of lift that spawns training of storms across a
30 or 40 mile wide band. If this happens in this air mass (with
precipitable water values soaring well above normal values)
rainfall could be torrential and flash flooding would develop very
quickly. Still, these features are so weak and the interaction so
complicated, if and where this band develops remains uncertain.

Given the pockets of heavier rainfall this afternoon and evening,
and the potential for a lower probability but much higher impact
flood event overnight, opted to run a Flash Flood Watch from this
afternoon through sunrise Friday morning.

&&

.LONG TERM...
(Friday night through next Thursday)
Issued at 128 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

Rain chances will decrease for our area this weekend, as an upper
level high develops over New Mexico. Isolated or widely scattered
showers and thunderstorms, mainly diurnally driven, will be
possible. With less cloud cover, afternoon high temperatures will be
warmer than what our area is currently seeing, but still below
normal. Expect highs to be mostly in the mid 80s to lower 90s
Saturday, and in the upper 80s to lower 90s on Sunday. With a
moist airmass, expect humid conditions.

The work week next week is looking dry and hotter for our area. The
aforementioned upper high is forecast to strengthen and expand, with
its center shifting over the Four Corners area on Tuesday. Our area
will be on its eastern periphery, but it will be our dominant
weather influence. Mostly clear to partly cloudy skies are expected
each day. With 850mb thermal ridge strengthening and expanding east
into our area, expect highs to be in the lower to mid 90s in the
early to middle parts of the week, and in the mid 90s to around 100
degrees later in the week (Thursday and Friday).

&&

.AVIATION...
(18Z TAFS)
Issued at 1226 PM CDT Thu Jul 3 2025

Ongoing showers and storms across West Central Texas continue to
produce a mixture of IFR and MVFR cigs across area terminals early
this afternoon. Tried to use latest radar trends and high res
models to show the most likely time frame for most widespread
rainfall, but overall going to see off and on showers over much of
the next 18 hours. Back and forth between IFR and MVFR will also
continue as the convection rolls through. South to southeast winds
will continue.

&&

.PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS...
Abilene 73 86 73 89 / 70 50 10 20
San Angelo 72 88 71 91 / 60 40 10 20
Junction 71 86 71 88 / 60 50 10 30
Brownwood 72 84 72 88 / 70 60 10 30
Sweetwater 72 89 73 93 / 60 40 10 20
Ozona 71 87 71 90 / 40 40 10 10
Brady 71 83 71 87 / 70 60 10 30

&&

.SJT WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
Flood Watch through Friday morning for Brown-Callahan-Coke-
Coleman-Concho-Crockett-Irion-Kimble-Mason-McCulloch-Menard-
Nolan-Runnels-San Saba-Schleicher-Sterling-Sutton-Taylor-Tom
Green.

&&

$$

SHORT TERM...07
LONG TERM....19
AVIATION...07

There was a Flash Flood Watch ... but none of the adults were watching ... I don't know folks ... it rained a bunch of inches in an hour ... the adults decided to let the girls sleep in? ...

Good job, Texas, good job there ...

 

[defcon4]

Dude they eliminated 600 jobs. Now they are scrambling to hire 125 immediately because of the negative effect of the random headcount reduction. They can’t staff many locations and said that if they didnt hire more people they would have to expand the offices that can’t function. Good thing weather disasters happen 9-5 M-F and not after hours or on weekends/holidays.

You are acting like 600 jobs didnt disappear. They did. You can’t deny that. 200 were specifically for weather forecasting.

200 specially trained weather forecasters at work.

 

[Delldude]

You are acting like 600 jobs didnt disappear

You are acting like they were fired, they weren't........

Voluntary separation.

 

[Delldude]

???

 

[citygator]

You are acting like they were fired, they weren't........

Voluntary separation.

When a person retires another person takes their job… or that is a headcount reduction with less people getting things done. There were 600 people working who disappeared and all their work was moved onto other people.

The result was offices stopped being staffed around the clock. Weather readings have been stopped. And there is a plan to shut down more unless 125 people are immediately rehired. Those jobs keep it from getting worse. The jobs that are gone that caused this disaster wont be replaced. More of these will happen. You don’t care.

 

[1srelluc]

Three local, teenage young men at a TX Summer camp worked inside their cabin to lift the young boys up to the rafters, even after the water rose over their heads.

They would take a breath, then push the younger kids high enough to grab a rafter to climb higher.

Then the teenage boys would come up for air and do it again until all the kids in their care were saved.

All three of the teenage young men survived, too.

Nominate for a Carnegie Hero Award

Award Consideration Process​

The Carnegie Medal is a prestigious award considered one of the highest civilian honors in the U.S. and Canada.

The requirements for the award were largely established by Andrew Carnegie in 1904 and include:

• The life of a human victim must be in imminent danger of being lost without intervention; this must be believed by the rescuer.
• The rescuer must be a civilian who knowingly and voluntarily risks death or serious physical injury to an extraordinary degree.
• The rescuer must have rescued or attempted the rescue of another person.
• The risk to be undertaken by the rescuer must be perceived by the rescuer and that perception cannot be diminished by outside factors.
• The act of heroism must have occurred in the United States, Canada, or the waters thereof (12 nautical miles).
• The act must be brought to the attention of the Commission within two years of the date of its occurrence.
• The rescuer must not have intentionally or through negligence caused the situation threatening the victim. Those who bear vocational or other responsibility for the safety of the victim must have acted beyond the line of duty.
• There must be conclusive evidence to support the threat to the victim’s life, the risk undertaken by the rescuer, the rescuer’s degree of responsibility, and the act’s occurrence.

Those 3 aced the list!

 

[ReinyDays]

Here's a video stepping through all the watches, warnings and forecasts leading up to this tragedy ...

Sorry folks ... looks like the NWS did their job ... 3 hour lead time before disaster ... a watch means flooding could happen, a warning means flooding is happening ... emergency means "run for high ground RIGHT NOW" ...

 

[1srelluc]

This was the NWS warning 3 hours in advance calling for heavy rain and "life threatening" flash flooding:

 

[SweetSue92]

Clearly this is Trump's fault

 

[Delldude]

The jobs that are gone that caused this disaster wont be replaced.

Stop with the bullshit.