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The Hill
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Texas flooding unpredictable, unmanageable, state emergency management chief says
The flood disaster that struck Texas over Independence Day weekend was beyond the state's ability to predict or fully manage, the state emergency management chief told the legislature on Wednesday. 'People are going to ask, 'Well, what did you know that nobody else knew?'' Nim Kidd, head of the Texas Department of Emergency Management (TDEM), told the state's Select Committees on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding during a special session, after weeks of state and national criticism of the disaster response. His agency, Kidd said, 'didn't know anything that nobody else knew. The science is just not there yet.' The committee hearing was held in the wake of the disaster that killed 135 Texans across more than two dozen counties, and in his opening remarks, chair and state Sen. Charles Perry (R) set the parameters of the state's investigation. The committee, he said, 'will not armchair quarterback or attempt to assign blame. To do so and undermine the very goal in the committee's creation.' Instead, he said, 'the goal of our committee is to find constructive policy solutions' to head off future loss of life. That disclaimer came amid a storm of criticism of the local, state and federal response to the disaster, which ultimately killed 135 Texans across more than two dozen counties. Despite early allegations from TDEM that federal forecasts were inaccurate, current and former NWS forecasters have repeatedly argued that the state had enough information to know a disastrous storm was emerging over Central Texas. And while Texas state officials such as Kidd and Gov. Greg Abbott (R) have repeatedly praised the response of the federal government, the Trump administration is under fire too after a series of articles in national media indicated that deep cuts to staff at the Federal Department of Emergency Management and a new process requiring approval for every expenditure over $100,000 — in an agency that routinely deals in the billions — had slowed down both rescues and aid. Those cuts also led to the departure of regional NWS officials — such as the Austin-based 'warning coordinator' who took early retirement in April — specifically charged with making sure local officials are kept abreast of developing threats. Texas Democrats including Rep. Joaquin Castro have argued these cuts could play a role in the confused situation on the ground in Kerr County, where officials took until more than an hour and a half after floods reached 'emergency' levels to send out cell-phone notifications. Climate change is prompting a significant rise in deadly natural disasters, but the panel opened with the assumption that the flooding was more like a one-off. Perry, describing a 9-mile high rain cloud pouring off a million gallons per minute onto the spiderweb of creeks and ravines across Central Texas, called it a '500 year-plus event.' The 'freak' nature of the disaster — a fast-emerging 'rain bomb' condensing over the Hill Country out of the churning remnants of Tropical Storm Barry — made it 'an absolute perfect storm,' KHOU meteorologist Pat Hammond said in a video Perry played for the committee. 'We need to we also should have a deliberate conversation about the credentialing of emergency managers at the local level.' The problem with such a storm, Hammond said, is that it 'really pushes the science of meteorology to the limit. We are not at a point yet where we can pinpoint exactly where these other storms are going to pop up and where that flooding is going to happen.' That ambiguity, he added, meant there was no way to identify where individual flash flooding can happen 'pretty much until it's starting to happen.' That's an area the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association has been working on through the Severe Storms Laboratory (SSL) — and that President Trump's budget request would cut, former SSL head of research Alan Gerard told The Hill. On the chopping block, Gerard said, are programs to develop tolls that 'would let us tell a community three to six hours in advance that there's a high probability of the type of intense rainfall that will cause a significant flash flood.' As things were, Kidd told the committee, his department knew enough to pre-position resources but it was caught stretched over an area the size of Indiana, waiting for a disaster that ended up being far more localized. As of the day before the disaster, Kidd said, 'We had no idea where rain would fall, but we knew that there was moisture in the atmosphere throughout Thursday.' In a beat-by-beat recounting of National Weather Service (NWS) updates, Kidd said that the warnings his team received did not coalesce into a flash flood warning until 1:15 the morning of the floods, or a flash flood emergency — the highest level — until 4:45 a.m. 'At 5:56, I personally got the first report of people trapped on roofs,' Kidd told the committee. 'We all know what happened after that.' Three hours of lead time is unusually good for a flash flood — twice what many jurisdictions get, former NWS forecaster Brian LaMarre told The Hill, though he emphasized that the fact that the warnings came overnight played a big role in the ultimate disaster. Once the scale of the disaster became clear, Kidd said, the department was swamped by the response. At the height, he told the committee, the state had 2,700 employees on the ground — and more than six times as many volunteers, a number that swamped the ability of the state to manage them. During the response, he said that he found clear areas of literal communication breakdown: the San Antonio Fire Department's radios didn't work, 'so they had some really cheap Chinese radios they were talking to each other on. Ultimate authority in the crisis, he added, had rested with local officials. 'I always say we are responsible — we are not in charge. The responsibility of being in charge rests with local officials.' With that in mind, Kidd said, the state 'also should have a deliberate conversation about the credentialing of emergency managers at the local level.' Under statute, he said, those officials can be 'whoever the county judge, whoever the mayor appoints,' regardless of their experience. 'We're better than that,' he said.
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
How Ireland's controversial Eircode system proved critics wrong 10 years on
Over 97% of people in Ireland say they have a validated Eircode for their home address, 10 years after the initiative was launched. Since its launch in 2015, there have been 197.3million look-ups on the online finder, with two million average searches per month last year. However, a decade ago the initiative was not widely welcomed. At the time, experts said the €38m project was 'not fit for purpose'. It was initially supposed to cost €18m, but it went more than double over budget. The biggest criticism of Eircode at the time was that it's not strictly geographical, like the UK's system, which can be confusing. While the first three characters of an Eircode, the routing key, is linked to a broad area, it doesn't precisely map smaller units such as a street or even a town. The four characters after this routing key are completely unique to an individual address and are not geographically sequential. The random nature of the codes were slammed at the time, with the Irish Fire and Emergency Services Association chairperson John Kidd saying it could be 'catastrophic' in emergency situations. He said the random nature of codes could be detrimental in an emergency, potentially leading to incorrect locations and significant delays. Mr Kidd added that it would be of little benefit to rural areas, and because Eircodes aren't predictable and can't be learned easily, it's not as useful as Northern Ireland's postcode system. In 2015, multiple companies such as FedEx, DHL and BOC Ireland said it would not be using the postcode system for deliveries. However, shortly after its launch, the National Ambulance Service integrated Eircodes into its computerised dispatch system. It also encourages people seeking an emergency ambulance to have their Eircode at hand. A key driver for the introduction of Eircodes was to deal with challenges faced by non-unique addresses in the country. It found that 35% of all properties in Ireland shared an address with another property, which was a difficulty for emergency services. In 2024, 41,624 addresses were assigned an Eircode, with 38,851 the previous year. So far, 2.5million addresses have been assigned an Eircode. The initiative was launched by Capita Business Support Services, which was awarded the contract to develop Ireland's postcode system in December 2013. Speaking as Eircode celebrated its 10th anniversary, the company's managing director Gillian Chamberlain said the service 'has become an essential part of everyday life in Ireland.' She added: 'Eircode has proven its value across the public and private sectors and this milestone is a testament to the dedication of our team and the strength of our partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport. We look forward to ensuring the continued success of this vital national infrastructure." Minister of State for Postal Policy, Charlie McConalogue, said Eircode's usage 'continues to grow'. He said: 'It is used widely among the public, businesses and public sector with independent research showing that 97% of respondents were able to supply a validated Eircode for their address. 'The continued use of the free-to-use Eircode Finder website, which has received 197 million look-ups since launch, further proves that Eircodes are utilised on a daily basis. I want to congratulate Capita Business Support Services Ireland Limited for the outstanding work they have done in operating Eircodes on behalf of the State, and I look forward to our continued partnership.' Since its inception, the public have been widely encouraged to learn their home Eircode or have it to hand in case of an emergency. There have been various advertisement campaigns over the years aiming to show the importance of the system. Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.
National Observer
15-07-2025
- Health
- National Observer
Poor air quality can worsen pre-existing mental health challenges
The poor air quality that has blanketed swaths of central and Western Canada is not only infiltrating the lungs, but also distressing the mind. The federal government says people with mental illness are in a high-risk group prone to health problems when exposed to air pollution. Others who are most impacted when air quality plummets include seniors, pregnant people and those with lung or heart conditions. Environment Canada said Tuesday the air in parts of Saskatchewan and Inuvik is 'very high risk,' while Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Yellowknife are high- and moderate-risk areas due to wildfire smoke. Dr. Sean Kidd, a senior scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, said polluted air can make people feel trapped, particularly those who are homeless and can't avoid the outdoors, as well as people who don't have air conditioning and have to open their windows during heat waves. That can exacerbate stressors and intensify distress for anyone who experiences mental-health challenges. "Being out in an environment like this, it's distressing, right? Especially if you can't escape it." High heat, humidity and air pollution are adding to the stresses weathered by all Canadians, but those already experiencing mental health challenges are particularly troubled by them. The combination of heat, humidity and air pollution can also cloud cognition, making people more irritable and reactive, which can lead to substance abuse, Kidd said. Kidd said evidence suggests there's also an increase in domestic violence and interpersonal conflict during extreme weather events. The United Nations (UN) reported in April that climate change could be linked to one in every ten cases of intimate partner violence by the end of the century if action is not taken to interrupt that trajectory. A 2018 study cited in the UN report found intimate partner femicide rose 28 per cent during heat waves in Madrid. Among the solutions is creating better, more stable housing that reduces exposure to high-risk air, and in doing so, improves health and well-being across the board, Kidd said. 'It's not just about breathing bad air," Kidd said. "(It's) ultimately about having fewer people breathing air like this." Still, those who have access to cool indoor spaces can feel stuck inside and socially isolated, which can result in doom scrolling and worsen feelings of loneliness. Jiaying Zhao, a professor of psychology and sustainability at the University of British Columbia, said when wildfires pollute the air in Vancouver and the sky turns an orange hue, she tends to stay home. "I just don't interact with people. I'm isolated as a result of air pollution and that's not good. That can really exacerbate depressive symptoms and any kind of mental-health issues associated with depression," Zhao said. Some young people struggle with the crushing reality of climate change, said Zhao. When air quality plummets, those feelings can swing from abstract to material. 'That further exacerbates eco-anxiety, climate anxiety, that makes me, as well as others, think this is the end of the world. It does seem like an apocalypse,' said Zhao. Dr. Zarina Giannone, a registered psychologist in Vancouver, said it helps to think about what makes you feel safe and more in control of the exposure, which can include connecting with other people who are also exposed and isolated. "When they're not breathing in clean air or there's been a forest fire, which is common out here in B.C. — for the, for the air to really change suddenly and quite significantly like that — that can impact how people feel, how safe they feel; can kind of provoke more situational change in their mental status and wellness." This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 15, 2025.
Miami Herald
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Cooper Flagg scores 10 in Summer League debut; Mavs edge Lakers
Dallas Mavericks rookie and No. 1 NBA Draft pick Cooper Flagg contributed 10 points, six rebounds and four assists in 32 minutes in his Las Vegas Summer League debut Thursday as the Mavericks edged the Los Angeles Lakers 87-85. Flagg added three steals and a block. He went scoreless during the second half and finished 5-for-21 from the floor. "Not up to my standard, but I'm going to regroup; I'm going to be all right," Flagg told ESPN postgame. "This is a new feeling, new environment, new teammates, but the guys settled down." Lakers second-year guard Bronny James missed a potential go-ahead trey in the closing seconds. Los Angeles' Cole Swider led all scorers with 22 points to go with 10 rebounds. Ryan Nembhard paced Dallas with 21 points and Miles Kelly followed with 17. The main attraction, though, was undeniable. Fans at the Thomas & Mack Center buzzed when Flagg got touches as well as during his early, sporadic defensive matchups against James, who scored his team's first five points and finished with eight. Speaking during halftime of ESPN's broadcast, Mavericks coach Jason Kidd lauded Flagg's moxie during his unofficial professional debut. "I think when you have someone like Cooper who can handle, who can shoot, who can pass, you want the ball in his hands," Kidd said. "He's a great decision-maker. He did that at Duke and also in high school. So, you get to see it tonight. He's going to have some mistakes. We all did; we all threw it in the stands once in a while, but I think just his poise as an 18-year-old is incredible." Dalton Knecht (15 points) and DJ Steward (14) also scored in double figures for the Lakers. Darius Bazley grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Lakers defenders double-teamed Flagg upon receiving a pass in the backcourt after Dallas won the opening tip. Addressing the sequence at halftime, Kidd said, "I think that's out of respect." Flagg missed his first two field goal attempts but found his rhythm following a short breather in the first quarter. He scored six straight Mavericks points between the 4:35 and 2:49 mark, netting his first field goal on a running, one-hand dunk after securing a steal at the other end of the floor. Flagg shot 5-for-15 in the first half with three rebounds and one assist. "He's handled the ball, he's gotten wide-open shots for teammates, he's finished," Kidd said. "I think you've seen a lot of what he can do in this league." --Field Level Media Field Level Media 2023 - All Rights Reserved
Fox Sports
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Cooper Flagg Makes Professional Debut at NBA Summer League vs. Bronny James
Cooper Flagg strolled into UNLV's Thomas and Mack Center at 4:17 p.m. on Thursday, wearing Dallas Mavericks gear, bright white New Balance shoes and an emotionless look on his face as he passed through security. Roughly 45 minutes later, he wore the same stone-cold face as he came out for warmups shortly after 5 p.m. at the NBA Summer League. His fans more than made up for it with plenty of energy, electrifying the jam-packed arena that cheered loudest when he was announced as a starter. Flagg missed his first two attempts of the game and picked up his first foul just 46 seconds into the game. Bronny James, also a fan favorite, buried his first attempt over Flagg and followed after Flagg's second miss with a 3-pointer to give the Lakers a 5-0 lead. Flagg scored his first basket at the 4:30 mark and followed with a mid-range fadeaway as he fell to the floor. Generally filled with Lakers fans when the team plays in the summer, the arena was full of emotion with a fair share of Mavericks fans in attendance to see the 2025 National college player of the year. Mavericks coach Jason Kidd told The Associated Press before the game he's looking for nothing more than effort and grit in his team's opening game, as he wants them all playing hard. "This summer league is a little different when you have this type of turnout," Kidd said. "But the guys have had a couple practices. There's going to be some turnovers. I just want to see how they respond to a couple of mistakes being made, no one's gonna play a perfect game and be unselfish." As for his prize draft pick: "We're all excited," Kidd said of Flagg. "Seen enough of him on tape, so now it's good to see him on the floor." Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! FOLLOW Follow your favorites to personalize your FOX Sports experience National Basketball Association Dallas Mavericks Los Angeles Lakers recommended Item 1 of 3 Get more from the National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
