Flash floods like the one that swept through Texas are the nation's top storm-related killer
Flash floods form rapidly
According to the National Weather Service, a flash flood is flooding that begins within six hours, and often in as little as three hours, of heavy rainfall.
Waters rise so quickly that people are caught off guard, according to the weather service.. Many people run into trouble while traveling. If at home or work, the water can rise so quickly people are trapped before they have time to think about escape.
That is just what happened to residents along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County and the surrounding area after at least 10 inches (25 centimeters) poured from the sky early Friday morning.
There was advance notice in Texas
On Thursday afternoon, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch, estimating rising water of up to 7 inches (17 centimeters) in spots. A 'watch' means conditions are favorable for a flood and people should be prepared, but hazardous conditions might not develop.
But the watch was upgraded to a flood warning overnight, a notice that impacted 30,000 people. A warning is issued when flooding is imminent or occurring, the weather service says.
Flash floods are deadly
Last year, 145 people died in flash floods, according to the weather service. On average over the past 30 years, floods have claimed 127 lives annually.
Floods trap people in vehicles
Nearly half of all flood-related fatalities involve vehicles.
Many people don't realize that a car becomes difficult to control in just 6 inches (15 centimeters) of water and can be swept away in as little as 18 inches (46 centimeters). So instead of finding a detour, too often people try to drive through water at underpasses or other low-lying areas.
Flash floods can happen anywhere
It can happen anywhere, according to the weather service, which says that 'the normally tranquil streams and creeks in your neighborhood can become raging torrents if heavy rain falls overhead.'
An area can be flooded even without rain — if it's downstream of a torrential rainstorm and a swollen stream heads its way.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sky News
an hour ago
- Sky News
Texas flash flooding: At least 50 people killed; girl, eight, 'living her best life' named among victims
In pictures: Campers reunited with their families Campers and staff from one of the camps on the Guadalupe River, Camp Waldemar, have been reunited with their families. People were seen embracing their loved ones, with some shedding tears, at a reunification area. Unknown number of people missing Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice said there could be more people missing in the region than the 27 girls unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. "We are kind of looking at this in two ways called the known missing, which is the 27... We will not put a number on the other side because we just don't know," he said at a news conference. He said "hundreds" have been rescued from campsites around the Guadalupe River so far and searches are ongoing. Authorities in Travis County said at least 13 people are missing. In Burnet County, a firefighter was among the missing after he was swept away by floodwaters while responding to a rescue, county Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio said. Some of the deadliest floods to hit the US in the last 25 years Flooding causes an average of more than 125 deaths a year, according to the National Weather Service. Here's some of the most deadly flooding to have occurred in the last 25 years... Hurricane Helene, 2024 Helene struck Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia in September 2024. The storm caused about 250 deaths, according to the National Weather Service. Kentucky, 2022 Raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky led to 45 deaths in late July. The floods destroyed homes and businesses and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. Tennessee, 2021 Twenty people were killed when creeks near the small Middle Tennessee town of Waverly overflowed, following 43cm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Hurricane Harvey, 2017 Harvey killed at least 68 people when it swept into Texas in August 2017. All but three of the Harvey deaths were directly attributed to freshwater flooding, which damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage. West Virginia, 2016 It began as a rainstorm that seemed minor, but turned into a catastrophe that trapped dozens of people, ultimately killing 23 in the state. Superstorm Sandy, 2012 Sandy was a freak combination of a hurricane and other storms that struck New York and the surrounding areas in October 2012. It killed 147 people. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 This was the deadliest flood event in the past 25 years. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damages, with people having to be rescued by boat and helicopter from rooftops. Death toll rises to 50 At least 43 people have been killed in the flash flooding in Kerr County, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a news conference. This includes at least 15 children and 28 adults, with five children and 12 adults pending identification. More than two dozen girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, but authorities have not said how many people were missing beyond the 27 children. In nearby Kendall County, one person has died. At least four people were killed in Travis County, while at least two people died in Burnet County. Congressman 'reunited' with daughters evacuated from Camp Mystic Rep. August Pfluger said his daughters Caroline and Juliana were evacuated from Camp Mystic and "reunited" with his family. In pictures: It is now 12 hours since flash floods swept across Kerr County This is what it looks like on the ground. What we learned from the latest news conference There wasn't a huge amount of news to come out of this evening's press conference, apart from an update on the number of people who have died. Gov. Greg Abbott was accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as a number of Texas officials. The group spent most of the news conference praising the response of the local community, as well as reiterating promises to continue searching for victims. There was clear frustration from viewers watching the live link at the lack of information coming through. It was only confirmed at the end, in response to a reporter's question, that 32 people have died, with eight of the recovered bodies currently unidentified. Some 850 people have been rescued. But officials warned these numbers will continue to change. More than 1,300 people have been brought in to help deal with the emergency disaster response. Secretary Noem also answered questions about whether the flash flood warnings came through promptly: "We know that everyone wants more warning time and that is why we are working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected for far too long." Gov. Abbott also talked about the importance of prayer. "Prayer does work," he said, adding that they "could have been the reason why water stopped rising into a home or a cabin, or something that would have caused an entire building to float away." 32 dead in Texas flooding More bodies have been recovered from the flash flooding. Thirty-two bodies have been recovered, 14 of which are children. Of those, five adults and three children remain unidentified. "The numbers are going to continue to change until we are done," says Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Chief Nim Kidd says there is still an active search for live victims. "That will turn into recovery at some point, and none of us wants to put a timeframe on that," he adds. It is still not known exactly how many people are currently missing. More than 850 people saved so far, 'some clinging to trees' Rescuers have saved more than 850 people, Gov. Abbott says. "Some clinging to trees to save their lives," he adds. Senator John Cornyn is speaking next. He also praises the first responders. Watch Gov. Abbott sign the disaster declaration below... President Trump 'absolutely heartbroken' by flash flooding "President Trump loves Texas," Gov. Abbott says, adding that the president is "deeply concerned" by the flash flooding. He then hands over to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who says Trump is "absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas". "This morning I talked with him several times and he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he's grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we are still looking for and hoping to return to their families," she says. "He is absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government to help unify families." She then praises the state of Texas. "I do know that the state of Texas is amazing in how it responds to disasters," she says. "Not every state is like that. Many states do not do what the people of Texas do. And you are an example to the nation of getting through these difficult times." She says she will be visiting Camp Mystic later today, where 27 girls are currently missing.
The Independent
2 hours ago
- The Independent
A look at some of the deadliest floods in the US in the last 25 years
Flooding has caused an average of more than 125 deaths per year in the United States over the past few decades, according to the National Weather Service, and flash floods are the nation's top storm-related killer. Here's a look at some of the most deadly flooding nationwide in the past 25 years. Texas, July 2025 Authorities are still assessing the deadly effects of heavy rains that caused devastating flash floods in Texas Hill Country, leaving at least 32 people dead and many others missing as frantic parents sought word about their daughters unaccounted for at a girls camp near the Guadalupe River. Searchers used helicopters, boats and drones to look for victims and to rescue stranded people in trees and from camps isolated by washed-out roads. Hurricane Helene, 2024 Hurricane Helene struck Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia in September 2024. The storm caused about 250 deaths, according to the National Weather Service. Many of those who died in Helene fell victim to massive inland flooding, rather than high winds. Helene was the deadliest hurricane to hit the mainland U.S. since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The storm decimated remote towns throughout the Appalachians and left millions without power, cellular service and supplies. In North Carolina alone, Helene was responsible for 108 deaths, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. Kentucky, 2022 Raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky in late July of 2022 led to 45 deaths, AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tyler Roys said Saturday. The floods destroyed homes and businesses and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. The disaster robbed thousands of families of all their possessions. Tennessee, 2021 Twenty people were killed when creeks near the small Middle Tennessee town of Waverly overflowed after more than more than 17 inches (43 centimeters) of rain fell in the area in less than 24 hours in August 2021. Homes were washed off their foundations, cars were wrecked and businesses were demolished. The dead included twin babies who were swept from their father's arms. Hurricane Harvey, 2017 Hurricane Harvey barreled into Texas in August 2017 as a powerful Category 4 storm. Harvey hovered for days as it trudged inland, dumping several feet of rain on many Gulf Coast communities and the Houston area. Harvey killed at least 68 people, according to a National Hurricane Center report. All but three of the Harvey deaths were directly attributed to freshwater flooding, which damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage. West Virginia, June 2016 A rainstorm that initially seemed like no big deal turned into a catastrophe in West Virginia, trapping dozens of people during the night and eventually leaving 23 people dead around the state. Superstorm Sandy, 2012 Superstorm Sandy was a late fall freak combination of a hurricane and other storms that struck New York and surrounding areas in October 2012. Sandy killed 147 people, 72 in the eastern U.S., according to the National Hurricane Center. More than 110 deaths were attributed to drowning, Roys said. Mississippi River, 2011 Heavy rainfall in several states, plus a larger-than-normal slow melt, led rivers in the Mississippi River Basin to swell and flood in 2011. Flash floods associated with these storms caused 24 deaths across Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Tennessee in April and May, according to the National Weather Service. Hurricane Ike, 2008 Hurricane Ike struck the southeast Texas Gulf Coast in September 2008, creating a storm surge as high as 20 feet (6 meters) in the island city of Galveston. Ike then poured more than 4 feet (1.2 meters) of rain on Houston, destroying thousands of cars and leaving hundreds of thousands of families with flood-damaged homes. In all, Ike was responsible for more than 100 deaths, many caused by flooding. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 Hurricane Katrina is the deadliest flood event in the U.S. in the past 25 years. The storm crashed into the Gulf Coast and caused devastating flooding when levees failed in New Orleans, where people had to be rescued by boat and helicopter from rooftops. The costliest storm in U.S. history, Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damages. Tropical Storm Allison, 2001 Tropical Storm Allison caused 41 deaths, mostly attributed to flooding caused by 40 inches (101 centimeters) of rain that fell in Texas and Louisiana, Roys said. Allison remained a threat for days as its remnants lingered after making landfall in June 2001, causing major flooding in Houston.
Sky News
2 hours ago
- Sky News
Texas flash flooding: At least 49 people killed; girl, eight, 'living her best life' named among victims
Unknown number of people missing Kerrville city manager Dalton Rice said there could be more people missing in the region than the 27 girls unaccounted for from Camp Mystic. "We are kind of looking at this in two ways called the known missing, which is the 27... We will not put a number on the other side because we just don't know," he said at a news conference. He said "hundreds" have been rescued from campsites around the Guadalupe River so far and searches are ongoing. Authorities in Travis County said at least 10 people are missing. In Burnet County, a firefighter was among the missing after he was swept away by floodwaters while responding to a rescue, county Emergency Management Coordinator Derek Marchio said. Some of the deadliest floods to hit the US in the last 25 years Flooding causes an average of more than 125 deaths a year, according to the National Weather Service. Here's some of the most deadly flooding to have occurred in the last 25 years... Hurricane Helene, 2024 Helene struck Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee and Virginia in September 2024. The storm caused about 250 deaths, according to the National Weather Service. Kentucky, 2022 Raging floodwaters in eastern Kentucky led to 45 deaths in late July. The floods destroyed homes and businesses and caused significant damage to schools, roads, bridges and water systems. Tennessee, 2021 Twenty people were killed when creeks near the small Middle Tennessee town of Waverly overflowed, following 43cm of rainfall in less than 24 hours. Hurricane Harvey, 2017 Harvey killed at least 68 people when it swept into Texas in August 2017. All but three of the Harvey deaths were directly attributed to freshwater flooding, which damaged more than 300,000 structures and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage. West Virginia, 2016 It began as a rainstorm that seemed minor, but turned into a catastrophe that trapped dozens of people, ultimately killing 23 in the state. Superstorm Sandy, 2012 Sandy was a freak combination of a hurricane and other storms that struck New York and the surrounding areas in October 2012. It killed 147 people. Hurricane Katrina, 2005 This was the deadliest flood event in the past 25 years. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damages, with people having to be rescued by boat and helicopter from rooftops. Death toll rises to 49 At least 43 people have been killed in the flash flooding in Kerr County, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha said at a news conference. This includes at least 15 children and 28 adults, with five children and 12 adults pending identification. More than two dozen girls remain missing from Camp Mystic, but authorities have not said how many people were missing beyond the 27 children. In nearby Kendall County, one person has died. At least three people were killed in Travis County, while at least two people died in Burnet County. Congressman 'reunited' with daughters evacuated from Camp Mystic Rep. August Pfluger said his daughters Caroline and Juliana were evacuated from Camp Mystic and "reunited" with his family. In pictures: It is now 12 hours since flash floods swept across Kerr County This is what it looks like on the ground. What we learned from the latest news conference There wasn't a huge amount of news to come out of this evening's press conference, apart from an update on the number of people who have died. Gov. Greg Abbott was accompanied by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, as well as a number of Texas officials. The group spent most of the news conference praising the response of the local community, as well as reiterating promises to continue searching for victims. There was clear frustration from viewers watching the live link at the lack of information coming through. It was only confirmed at the end, in response to a reporter's question, that 32 people have died, with eight of the recovered bodies currently unidentified. Some 850 people have been rescued. But officials warned these numbers will continue to change. More than 1,300 people have been brought in to help deal with the emergency disaster response. Secretary Noem also answered questions about whether the flash flood warnings came through promptly: "We know that everyone wants more warning time and that is why we are working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected for far too long." Gov. Abbott also talked about the importance of prayer. "Prayer does work," he said, adding that they "could have been the reason why water stopped rising into a home or a cabin, or something that would have caused an entire building to float away." 32 dead in Texas flooding More bodies have been recovered from the flash flooding. Thirty-two bodies have been recovered, 14 of which are children. Of those, five adults and three children remain unidentified. "The numbers are going to continue to change until we are done," says Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha. Chief Nim Kidd says there is still an active search for live victims. "That will turn into recovery at some point, and none of us wants to put a timeframe on that," he adds. It is still not known exactly how many people are currently missing. More than 850 people saved so far, 'some clinging to trees' Rescuers have saved more than 850 people, Gov. Abbott says. "Some clinging to trees to save their lives," he adds. Senator John Cornyn is speaking next. He also praises the first responders. Watch Gov. Abbott sign the disaster declaration below... President Trump 'absolutely heartbroken' by flash flooding "President Trump loves Texas," Gov. Abbott says, adding that the president is "deeply concerned" by the flash flooding. He then hands over to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who says Trump is "absolutely heartbroken by what has happened here in Texas". "This morning I talked with him several times and he wanted to make sure that all of you know how much he loves Texas, how much he's grieving for your families that have lost someone and the beautiful children that we are still looking for and hoping to return to their families," she says. "He is absolutely committed to using all the resources of the federal government to help unify families." She then praises the state of Texas. "I do know that the state of Texas is amazing in how it responds to disasters," she says. "Not every state is like that. Many states do not do what the people of Texas do. And you are an example to the nation of getting through these difficult times." She says she will be visiting Camp Mystic later today, where 27 girls are currently missing. Press conference begins The press conference is now starting, after a delay of almost 45 minutes. Governor Greg Abbott begins by praising the response of Texans to the disaster and says the state "will be relentless" when it comes to locating and identifying victims. He then expands the disaster declaration to several other counties within Texas.
