Death Toll Rises To 70 Following Central Texas Flooding

The search for survivors continues  in Central Texas as the death toll has risen to at least 70 following the massive flooding on Friday.

Some experts note that important positions at the local offices of the National Weather Service were unfilled leading to questions as to whether staffing shortages may have made it harder to plan for the incoming floods.

The death toll in Central Texas climbed to at least 70 as of midday Sunday, as rescuers searched for people swept away by devastating floods and forecasters warned that downpours would continue in already hard-hit areas. Follow live updates. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/07…

[image or embed] — The New York Times (@nytimes.com) July 6, 2025 at 10:53 AM

From the New York Times:

The National Weather Service’s San Angelo office, which is responsible for some of the areas hit hardest by Friday’s flooding, was missing a senior hydrologist, staff forecaster and meteorologist in charge, according to Tom Fahy, the legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, the union that represents Weather Service workers.

The Weather Service’s nearby San Antonio office, which covers other areas hit by the floods, also had significant vacancies, including a warning coordination meteorologist and science officer, Mr. Fahy said.

Staff members in those positions are meant to work with local emergency managers to plan for floods, including when and how to warn local residents and help them evacuate.

That office’s warning coordination meteorologist left on April 30, after taking the early retirement package the Trump administration used to reduce the number of federal employees, according to a person with knowledge of his departure.

Fahy told the Times that the current vacancy rate at both offices is about double what it was when Trump returned to office in January.

What has happened to the girls at Camp Mystic is EXACTLY what one of the country’s best meteorologists John Morales warned would happen.

Learn how Trump’s cuts to NOAA & NWS have critically impacted storm prediction nationwide. [image or embed] — Rachel Bitecofer (@rachelbitecofer.bsky.social) July 5, 2025 at 12:57 PM

Enough of the religious bullshit. How about a statement on how the national weather service needs to be fully funded and perhaps even expanded.

You do remember when you were cheering on DOGE for everything they gutted. Right? — Quadcarl (@quadcarl_carl) July 5, 2025

Mike Johnson on Texas floods: “In a moment like this, we feel just as helpless as everyone else does … all we know to do at this moment is pray.” pic.twitter.com/f6fP3V7MMg

— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 6, 2025