Flood Warnings: Who Pays the Price?
In Texas, Kerr County faced a tough choice: invest in a flood warning system or risk lives. The county knew the danger. Nearby, Wimberley County had already lost 13 people to flooding.
Kerr County's officials wanted to act, but money was the problem.
The Struggle for Funding
- FEMA Request Denied: They looked to FEMA for help, but the state turned down their request.
- State Grants Insufficient: They checked state funds, but the grants wouldn't cover much.
- Local Funds Inadequate: The county couldn't afford to build the system on its own.
It's a common story. Many places struggle to pay for flood protection. These projects don't make money, so communities have to raise taxes or find other ways to fund them. But in Texas, raising taxes is hard to do.
Federal Funding Cuts
The situation got worse when the Trump administration cut funding. They canceled a $4.6 billion program meant to help communities prepare for disasters. Now, states have to take on more of the burden.
Experts say this will leave a big gap. FEMA's programs were a lifeline for many communities. Without them, it's unclear how places like Kerr County will protect their residents.
Climate Change Complicates Matters
Even if Texas builds all the needed flood projects, it might not be enough. Climate change is making storms worse. Many projects are designed using old rainfall data. But storms are getting stronger.
- Harris County Findings: Officials found that extreme storms now drop more rain.
- Projects Need Upgrades: This means projects need to be bigger and more expensive.
Experts Recommend New Approaches
Experts say Texas needs to think differently. They suggest:
- Moving people out of flood-prone areas.
- Expanding wetlands.
But so far, the state keeps repeating the same old patterns.