Monday Briefing: Floods in Texas Killed at Least 80
Hundreds of searchers were combing wide swaths of Central Texas yesterday after severe rainfall caused flash flooding on the Guadalupe River. As the death toll climbed to at least 80, and dozens remained unaccounted for, forecasters warned of more rain and possible flash flooding in hard-hit areas. We have live updates.
At least 28 of the victims were children. Ten girls from a summer camp remained missing.
Among the victims were 8-year-old and 9-year-old campers. Here's what we know about some of the victims.
How it unfolded: The first flash-flood warning from torrential rain went out just before midnight on Thursday. At about 4 a.m. Friday, county authorities advised residents and campers to 'seek higher ground now!' after the Guadalupe River had risen 22 feet, or 6 meters, in three hours. Here's why the flooding was so intense.
Questions: Crucial positions at the local offices of the National Weather Service were vacant, prompting some experts to question whether staffing shortages made it harder for the agency to coordinate with local emergency managers.
Climate: Colossal bursts of rain like the ones that caused the deadly flooding in Texas are becoming more frequent and intense around the globe as the burning of fossil fuels heats the planet, scientists say.
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Welcome to updated around-the-clock by Capital Weather Gang meteorologists. Happening now: Spotty showers possible this morning, especially south of the Beltway. It's very warm and humid this afternoon, with highs 85 to 90, and more numerous showers and storms are possible. What's next? Every day this week is very warm and muggy with possible showers and storms, especially during the afternoon and evening. Storms may be most numerous and intense between Tuesday and Thursday. Today's daily digit — 4/10: The humidity is pretty outrageous today and there may be some showers and storms to dodge. | 🤚 Your call? The digit is a somewhat subjective rating of the day's weather, on a 0-to-10 scale. Forecast in detail Today (Monday): A few showers are possible this morning from the remnants of Tropical Storm Chantal, mainly south of the Beltway. During the afternoon, it's partly sunny and very humid (dew points in the mid-70s) with highs from 85 to 90. A few pop-up showers or thundershowers are possible, but may not be all that widespread. Winds are light from the southeast at around 5 mph. Confidence: Medium-High Tonight: A few evening showers and storms are possible, followed by partly cloudy and muggy conditions. Lows range from 70 to 75. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow (Tuesday): This could be the week's worst weather day. The combination of sweltering temperatures (highs from 90 to 95) and high humidity (dew points in the low to mid-70s) produce heat indexes from 100 to 105. During the afternoon and evening, showers and storms are likely, and they'll be capable of producing damaging winds and flooding rains. Winds are from the west at 5 to 10 mph but potentially much stronger in storms. Confidence: Medium-High Tomorrow night: Some showers and storms could linger into the evening. Overnight, it's mostly cloudy with a slight chance of showers and storms and lows from 70 to 75. Confidence: Medium-High A look ahead The forecast for Wednesday and Thursday is the same: Partly sunny and humid, with scattered afternoon and evening showers and storms. It's possible that storms on Thursday concentrate more in the southern half of the D.C. area — but confidence in their placement is low. The storms on either day could be heavy and capable of producing flooding. Highs both days range from the mid-80s to near 90, but it feels more like the 90s with the humidity. Lows at night are mostly in the 70s. Confidence: Medium The stalled front serving as the focus for storms on Wednesday and Thursday will gradually fade between Friday and Sunday, but there will be enough residual moisture for continued afternoon and evening storm chances. They'll be somewhat less probable than previous days but still carry about a 40 percent chance. Outside of storms, partly sunny skies are generally the rule with highs 85 to 90 and lows 70 to 75. 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Highs both days range from the mid-80s to near 90, but it feels more like the 90s with the humidity. Lows at night are mostly in the 70s. Confidence: Medium The stalled front serving as the focus for storms on Wednesday and Thursday will gradually fade between Friday and Sunday, but there will be enough residual moisture for continued afternoon and evening storm chances. They'll be somewhat less probable than previous days but still carry about a 40 percent chance. Outside of storms, partly sunny skies are generally the rule with highs 85 to 90 and lows 70 to 75. Confidence: Medium
