Agency Highlights Timely Warnings Despite Unprecedented Rainfall and Media Criticism
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a robust defense of the National Weather Service (NWS), accusing mainstream media of spreading deliberate misinformation regarding the catastrophic flooding that struck Texas over the July 4th weekend.
The disaster, which has claimed 82 lives, including 27 campers and counselors, has sparked intense scrutiny of government preparedness. However, DHS asserts that the NWS provided timely and precise warnings, despite the unprecedented rainfall that overwhelmed the region.
In a detailed response late Sunday, DHS outlined a comprehensive timeline of the NWS’s proactive response, challenging claims of inadequate forecasting.
The agency stressed that the NWS delivered over 12 hours of advance notice through a Flood Watch and more than 3 hours of lead time with Flash Flood Warnings, with alerts escalating as the situation worsened.
Timeline of NWS Response
- Morning, July 3rd: NWS Austin/San Antonio conducts forecast briefings for emergency management, flagging flash flood risks.
- Morning, July 3rd: National Water Center issues Flood Hazard Outlook, identifying flash flood potential for Kerrville and surrounding areas.
- 1:18 PM, July 3rd: NWS issues Flood Watch for Kerr County, effective through Friday morning.
- 6:10 PM, July 3rd: Weather Prediction Center issues the first of three Mesoscale Precipitation Discussions, warning of excessive rainfall and flash flood potential.
- 6:22 PM, July 3rd: National Water Center warns of considerable flooding risks north and west of San Antonio, including Kerrville.
- 11:41 PM, July 3rd: First Flash Flood Warning issued for Bandera County.
- 1:14 AM, July 4th: Flash Flood Warning with “Considerable” tag issued for Bandera and Kerr Counties, triggering Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) and NOAA Weather Radio notifications.
- 4:03 AM, July 4th: Flash Flood Warning upgraded to Flash Flood Emergency for south-central Kerr County, including Hunt.
- 4:35 AM, July 4th: Kerr County Sheriff’s Office reports flooding at low water crossings, 201 minutes (over 3 hours) after the 1:14 AM warning.
- 5:00 AM, July 4th: National Water Center warns of widespread considerable and catastrophic flooding.
- 5:34 AM, July 4th: Flash Flood Emergency issued for the Guadalupe River, signaling a “large and deadly flood wave.”
DHS highlighted that the NWS’s efforts included escalating alerts as the storm intensified, with the first Flash Flood Emergency issued just before the floodwaters peaked.
The agency pointed to the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office report of flooding at low water crossings occurring over three hours after the initial warning, suggesting that local response times may also be under review.
The statement comes amid a polarized debate, with some public figures, including Rep. Nancy Mace, echoing DHS’s stance by criticizing “fake news.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking on Fox & Friends earlier today, defended the NWS, stating, “The National Weather Service put out the alerts when they received them… the notification was proactive and out there.”
As the death toll rises and search efforts continue, the DHS’s defense of the NWS sets the stage for a broader investigation into the balance between federal forecasting and local preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
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