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Time of India
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Conspiracy theories: Texas flood disaster sparks cloud seeding claims
It began as a typical summer evening in the Texas Hill Country, until the skies opened with a fury that left even seasoned meteorologists stunned. By dawn, rivers had burst their banks, entire communities were submerged, and the state was left grappling with one of the deadliest floods in recent memory. But as the waters receded, a new storm was brewing; not in the sky, but online. Whispers grew into viral claims: had someone, or something, tampered with the weather? As rescue teams searched for survivors and families mourned over 120 lives lost, social media platforms exploded with speculation. The focus of the suspicion: a cloud seeding operation conducted by Rainmaker Technology Corporation just days before the deluge. Was it possible that a human intervention in the atmosphere had unleashed nature's wrath on an unimaginable scale? The facts, according to state officials and atmospheric scientists, tell a very different story. Rainmaker's CEO, Augustus Doricko, confirmed that on July 2, a single-engine plane released about 70 grams of silver iodide into two clouds near Runge, Texas—more than 100 miles from the epicenter of the flooding. The result was a modest shower, less than half a centimeter of rain, over parched farmland. The operation was halted immediately when a storm system was detected, in strict adherence to state regulations. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Cloud seeding, a technique used for decades to coax extra rainfall from clouds, is tightly regulated in Texas and only capable of increasing precipitation by about 10–20% under ideal conditions. 'Cloud seeding can't trigger floods of this size,' said Dr. Emily Yeh, an atmospheric scientist at the University of Colorado Boulder. 'No operational program would try to seed a large storm, and the energy required to generate such an event is far beyond what cloud seeding can achieve.' Meteorologists point to a combination of natural factors as the true cause of the disaster: remnants of Tropical Storm Barry , the region's notorious 'flash flood alley' geography, and the unfortunate timing of the storm during a holiday weekend. The National Weather Service reported up to 15 inches of rain in a single day in some areas—more than double the monthly average. Live Events Despite the scientific consensus, the cloud seeding theory has become a rallying cry for some politicians and activists, prompting calls for investigations and even proposed bans on weather modification. Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller dismissed the rumors as 'misinformation,' emphasizing, 'Cloud seeding can't cause a flood. It can sometimes increase the amount of rain or snow slightly, but it can't make clouds out of thin air or cause floods.'
San Francisco Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Climate
- San Francisco Chronicle
FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas
As authorities search for victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users are spreading false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in precipitation of this magnitude. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A July 2 cloud seeding operation by Rainmaker Technology Corporation caused flash floods in the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. THE FACTS: This is false. It is not possible that cloud seeding generated the floods, according to experts, as the process can only produce limited precipitation using clouds that already exist. Forecasts predicted rain for that weekend prior to July 2 in an area that was already prone to flooding. 'The claim that cloud seeding played a role in this tragic event is complete nonsense,' said Andrew Dessler, director of Texas A&M University's Texas Center for Extreme Weather. Dev Niyogi, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies extreme weather, said it is 'extremely unlikely' cloud seeding played a role in the floods. He cited weather factors as the reason: 'the moisture flow coming into the area and the widespread rains the system had, as well as the forecast of very heavy rains over the wider area.' Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said at a press briefing on Monday that 'to the best of my knowledge, there is zero evidence of anything related to anything like weather modification' when asked about such speculation. He added: 'The internet is a strange place. People can come up with all sorts of crazy theories.' Nonetheless, social media users questioned whether Rainmaker's operations could be connected to the disaster in Texas. 'Well … this is weird … A company called Rainmaker, conducted a cloud seeding mission on July 2 over Texas Hill Country,' reads one X post. '2 days later, the worst flood in their history occurred … in the exact same area that the Rainmaker flights were. The entire goal of Rainmaker is to increase the precipitation of existing clouds. Why do we let these corporations f — k with the weather?' Many posts also noted Rainmaker's connection to Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who cofounded the data-mining outfit Palantir Technologies, a secretive company that has long relied on spies, police, and the military as its customers. The Thiel Foundation awarded Rainmaker founder and CEO Augustus Doricko $100,000 in 2024 as part of its fellowship program. Cloud seeding utilizes an artificial material — typically silver iodide — to induce precipitation or clear fog. The practice is an imprecise undertaking with mixed results. Dessler explained that 'cloud seeding can work in certain limited situations and produce very modest increases in precipitation,' but often delivers nothing.' Regardless, the process cannot create storms out of thin air. Ken Leppert, an associate professor of atmospheric science at the University of Louisiana Monroe, said it 'had absolutely nothing' to do with the flash floods in Texas. 'Cloud seeding works by adding aerosols to existing clouds,' he said. 'It doesn't work by helping to create a cloud/storm that doesn't already exist. The storms that produced the rainfall and flooding in Texas were not in existence two days before the event.' The Texas Hill Country, in the central part of the state, is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry, dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. After a flood watch notice was issued midday on July 3, the National Weather Service issued an urgent warning overnight for at least 30,000 people. The July 4 flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark early morning hours. There was so much rain that the Guadalupe River rose higher than it has in 93 years by almost a foot, according to local reports. 'The natural disaster in the Texan Hill Country is a tragedy. My prayers are with Texas,' Doricko, the Rainmaker CEO, wrote as part of a series of X posts. 'Rainmaker did not operate in the affected area on the 3rd or 4th or contribute to the floods that occurred over the region.' He said Rainmaker's last cloud seeding operation prior to the floods occurred in the early afternoon on July 2 over eastern portions of south-central Texas. Two clouds were seeded and remained in the sky for about two hours before dissipating. Rainmaker suspended its cloud seeding operations indefinitely the same day in response to 'unusually high moisture content.'
Winnipeg Free Press
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Winnipeg Free Press
FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas
As authorities search for victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users are spreading false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in precipitation of this magnitude. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A July 2 cloud seeding operation by Rainmaker Technology Corporation caused flash floods in the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. THE FACTS: This is false. It is not possible that cloud seeding generated the floods, according to experts, as the process can only produce limited precipitation using clouds that already exist. Forecasts predicted rain for that weekend prior to July 2 in an area that was already prone to flooding. 'The claim that cloud seeding played a role in this tragic event is complete nonsense,' said Andrew Dessler, director of Texas A&M University's Texas Center for Extreme Weather. Dev Niyogi, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies extreme weather, said it is 'extremely unlikely' cloud seeding played a role in the floods. He cited weather factors as the reason: 'the moisture flow coming into the area and the widespread rains the system had, as well as the forecast of very heavy rains over the wider area.' Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said at a press briefing on Monday that 'to the best of my knowledge, there is zero evidence of anything related to anything like weather modification' when asked about such speculation. He added: 'The internet is a strange place. People can come up with all sorts of crazy theories.' Nonetheless, social media users questioned whether Rainmaker's operations could be connected to the disaster in Texas. 'Well … this is weird … A company called Rainmaker, conducted a cloud seeding mission on July 2 over Texas Hill Country,' reads one X post. '2 days later, the worst flood in their history occurred … in the exact same area that the Rainmaker flights were. The entire goal of Rainmaker is to increase the precipitation of existing clouds. Why do we let these corporations f — k with the weather?' Many posts also noted Rainmaker's connection to Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who cofounded the data-mining outfit Palantir Technologies, a secretive company that has long relied on spies, police, and the military as its customers. The Thiel Foundation awarded Rainmaker founder and CEO Augustus Doricko $100,000 in 2024 as part of its fellowship program. Cloud seeding utilizes an artificial material — typically silver iodide — to induce precipitation or clear fog. The practice is an imprecise undertaking with mixed results. Dessler explained that 'cloud seeding can work in certain limited situations and produce very modest increases in precipitation,' but often delivers nothing.' Regardless, the process cannot create storms out of thin air. Ken Leppert, an associate professor of atmospheric science at the University of Louisiana Monroe, said it 'had absolutely nothing' to do with the flash floods in Texas. 'Cloud seeding works by adding aerosols to existing clouds,' he said. 'It doesn't work by helping to create a cloud/storm that doesn't already exist. The storms that produced the rainfall and flooding in Texas were not in existence two days before the event.' The Texas Hill Country, in the central part of the state, is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry, dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. After a flood watch notice was issued midday on July 3, the National Weather Service issued an urgent warning overnight for at least 30,000 people. The July 4 flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark early morning hours. There was so much rain that the Guadalupe River rose higher than it has in 93 years by almost a foot, according to local reports. 'The natural disaster in the Texan Hill Country is a tragedy. My prayers are with Texas,' Doricko, the Rainmaker CEO, wrote as part of a series of X posts. 'Rainmaker did not operate in the affected area on the 3rd or 4th or contribute to the floods that occurred over the region.' He said Rainmaker's last cloud seeding operation prior to the floods occurred in the early afternoon on July 2 over eastern portions of south-central Texas. Two clouds were seeded and remained in the sky for about two hours before dissipating. Rainmaker suspended its cloud seeding operations indefinitely the same day in response to 'unusually high moisture content.' ___ Find AP Fact Checks here:
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FACT FOCUS: No, weather modification did not cause the deadly flash floods in Texas
As authorities search for victims of the flash floods in Texas that killed more than 100 people over the Fourth of July holiday weekend, social media users are spreading false claims that the devastation was caused by weather modification. Many pointed to one process in particular, blaming cloud seeding performed on July 2 by a California-based company for the tragedy. But officials say there is no evidence that the floods are the result of cloud seeding and experts agree that cloud seeding would not result in precipitation of this magnitude. Here's a closer look at the facts. CLAIM: A July 2 cloud seeding operation by Rainmaker Technology Corporation caused flash floods in the Texas Hill Country over the Fourth of July holiday weekend. THE FACTS: This is false. It is not possible that cloud seeding generated the floods, according to experts, as the process can only produce limited precipitation using clouds that already exist. Forecasts predicted rain for that weekend prior to July 2 in an area that was already prone to flooding. 'The claim that cloud seeding played a role in this tragic event is complete nonsense,' said Andrew Dessler, director of Texas A&M University's Texas Center for Extreme Weather. Dev Niyogi, a professor at the University of Texas at Austin who studies extreme weather, said it is 'extremely unlikely' cloud seeding played a role in the floods. He cited weather factors as the reason: 'the moisture flow coming into the area and the widespread rains the system had, as well as the forecast of very heavy rains over the wider area.' Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas said at a press briefing on Monday that 'to the best of my knowledge, there is zero evidence of anything related to anything like weather modification' when asked about such speculation. He added: 'The internet is a strange place. People can come up with all sorts of crazy theories.' Nonetheless, social media users questioned whether Rainmaker's operations could be connected to the disaster in Texas. 'Well … this is weird … A company called Rainmaker, conducted a cloud seeding mission on July 2 over Texas Hill Country,' reads one X post. '2 days later, the worst flood in their history occurred … in the exact same area that the Rainmaker flights were. The entire goal of Rainmaker is to increase the precipitation of existing clouds. Why do we let these corporations f — k with the weather?' Many posts also noted Rainmaker's connection to Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel, who cofounded the data-mining outfit Palantir Technologies, a secretive company that has long relied on spies, police, and the military as its customers. The Thiel Foundation awarded Rainmaker founder and CEO Augustus Doricko $100,000 in 2024 as part of its fellowship program. Cloud seeding utilizes an artificial material — typically silver iodide — to induce precipitation or clear fog. The practice is an imprecise undertaking with mixed results. Dessler explained that 'cloud seeding can work in certain limited situations and produce very modest increases in precipitation,' but often delivers nothing.' Regardless, the process cannot create storms out of thin air. Ken Leppert, an associate professor of atmospheric science at the University of Louisiana Monroe, said it 'had absolutely nothing' to do with the flash floods in Texas. 'Cloud seeding works by adding aerosols to existing clouds,' he said. 'It doesn't work by helping to create a cloud/storm that doesn't already exist. The storms that produced the rainfall and flooding in Texas were not in existence two days before the event.' The Texas Hill Country, in the central part of the state, is naturally prone to flash flooding due to the dry, dirt-packed areas where the soil lets rain skid along the surface of the landscape instead of soaking it up. After a flood watch notice was issued midday on July 3, the National Weather Service issued an urgent warning overnight for at least 30,000 people. The July 4 flash floods started with a particularly bad storm that dropped most of its 12 inches (30 centimeters) of rain in the dark early morning hours. There was so much rain that the Guadalupe River rose higher than it has in 93 years by almost a foot, according to local reports. 'The natural disaster in the Texan Hill Country is a tragedy. My prayers are with Texas,' Doricko, the Rainmaker CEO, wrote as part of a series of X posts. 'Rainmaker did not operate in the affected area on the 3rd or 4th or contribute to the floods that occurred over the region.' He said Rainmaker's last cloud seeding operation prior to the floods occurred in the early afternoon on July 2 over eastern portions of south-central Texas. Two clouds were seeded and remained in the sky for about two hours before dissipating. Rainmaker suspended its cloud seeding operations indefinitely the same day in response to 'unusually high moisture content.' ___ Find AP Fact Checks here: Melissa Goldin, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Rainmaker CEO To Speak Publicly Amid Cloud Seeding Scrutiny Over Texas Floods
As Texans reel from one of the deadliest natural disasters in state history, the CEO of a weather modification company at the center of growing public suspicion is preparing to face questions in a live forum. Augustus Doricko, CEO of Rainmaker Technology Corporation, will appear in a live X Space hosted by conservative commentator @Amuse to respond to scrutiny surrounding a cloud seeding mission his company conducted two days before catastrophic floods swept through the Texas Hill Country on July 4. Rainmaker confirmed it flew a 20-minute cloud seeding mission on July 2 over Karnes County, located southeast of the flood zone. The operation targeted two clouds that reportedly dissipated later that afternoon. No further flights were conducted before the floods began. Doricko said Rainmaker suspended all operations the same day, citing compliance with Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) safety criteria. Still, the timing has fueled rampant speculation online. Critics want to know: could the July 2 flight — however brief or distant — have influenced the deadly storm system that followed? Veteran Houston meteorologist Travis Herzog weighed in this week, calling the theory scientifically unfounded. 'Cloud seeding cannot create a storm of this magnitude or size. In fact, cloud seeding cannot even create a single cloud,' Herzog said. 'All it can do is take an existing cloud and enhance the rainfall by up to 20% — and even that is on the high end.' He compared the theory to blowing out a candle and assuming one could extinguish a wildfire. 'It is a matter of scale,' he said. Herzog, who grew up near the Texas Hill Country and studied meteorology at Texas A&M, emphasized that catastrophic flash floods are not new to the region, referencing similar disasters in 1987, 2002, and 2015. He attributed the July 4 event to a stalled mesoscale convective vortex fueled by remnant tropical moisture, not cloud seeding. 'We want to make sense of this tragedy,' Herzog wrote. 'And we never want to see it happen again.' The flood dumped more than 18 inches of rain in some areas, triggering a surge on the Guadalupe River that peaked at 34.29 feet, inundating homes, camps, and low-water crossings. Rainmaker has released flight logs and meteorological analysis showing no operations after July 2. The company says it welcomes scrutiny and followed all state guidelines, noting it stood down before the National Weather Service issued any watches or warnings. Now, Doricko says he's ready to address critics directly.
