The Southern California storm appeared to have passed Saturday evening, though nearly 30 million people remained under flood notices. Tragically, the storm claimed two lives in Central and Northern California, while authorities continue to search for a 5-year-old girl swept into the ocean in Monterey County. Heavy rainfall, particularly in Santa Barbara County, led to localized flooding and prompted evacuation warnings near recent burn scar areas. The National Weather Service anticipates continued rainfall and potential thunderstorms capable of producing floods, and advises against travel due to difficult conditions.
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Following last week’s devastating floods that claimed over 100 lives in central Texas, more flash flooding is forecasted for the region. Heavy rainfall, with some areas receiving up to 10 inches in 24 hours, has caused rivers like the Lampasas and San Saba to surge, reaching Major Flood Stage. Flash flood warnings are in effect for multiple cities, and the National Weather Service warns of ongoing or imminent flooding, particularly in Llano County. Rescue efforts are underway with a focus on saving lives as the situation remains dangerous.
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FEMA records reveal that Kerr County officials did not utilize the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to send critical safety instructions to mobile phones during the onset of severe flooding on July 4th. While the National Weather Service issued IPAWS flood warnings, county officials did not send any wireless alerts through the system, despite having used it in the past for similar events. Experts emphasize that inconsistent policies on issuing alerts across different counties may contribute to delays, with some residents reporting that they received messages through the CodeRed system, which only reaches those who signed up for the service. This failure to promptly utilize the IPAWS system has raised questions regarding whether timely warnings could have potentially saved lives, as it’s important to get it right when people’s lives are on the line.
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John Q. Hosedrinker