This is a remarkable account of two parallel disasters. Texas government will do their best to assign blame and walk away from the responsibility of prevention. The images you found of the Dutch tragedy are profound. Thank you for sharing them.
"What seems to be missing is the political will to treat flooding not as an act of God to be endured but as a problem to be solved."
I fear we are entrenched in exactly this issue. The Christian right and MAGA ignore science and the necessity of providing action, investment, funding to remedy catastrophy and prevent further disasters.
Instead of prevention, we get thoughts and prayers & tax breaks for the obscenely rich.
I’m afraid I must question whether or not enough of the American voters understand that our government should be protecting all citizens from such disasters, so that prevention can be implemented instead of playing the blame game & praying it never happens again.
So thoughtful and written with such pinpoint perspective. I can only add, as I live in this soon-wrecked country, that greed has surpassed all common wisdom as to how to live without fear of what may happen next. American citizens are working toward the next election but that is more than 15 months away. That's a lifetime for so many people in jeopardy here. All we can to is work hard to avert further disaster.....
The history you relate is in stark contrast to the lack of preparedness as well as government response to the Texas catastrophe. The Dutch people learned from their horrific disaster and took decisive action to prevent an occurrence. Action that has had increasing benefits in the years that followed for not only protecting the land and residents but enhancing tourism and public services.
As heartbreaking as is the Texas flood and loss of innocent lives, to compound the devastation, the Trump government’s destruction of preventive agencies was a direct consequence and will be again as extreme weather comes around again and again. Additionally the Department of Human Services, in three days following this event, did nothing to assist with search and recovery.
Sound, responsible government that uses science, technology and expertise was the difference for The Netherlands. America suffers from an administrations that denies science and climate change and calls parents who lost children and ask for answers ‘very bad people’ for being so bold as to ask for answers and explanations.
Thank you for an excellent article so well written from your own perspective and experiences.
Many volunteers have combed through the debris searching for victims and hoping for recovery. We have an out-of-control, reckless head of state who claims there is nothing he can do. Proving him wrong are firefighters and first responders from Mexico who volunteered their time and are responsible for one live recovery. We're not seeing this featured in MSM. During Arab Springs, Twitter played a significant role in providing organization for activists and supporters. We apparently now use social media to elevate the obscene rantings and lies of the reckless head of state. We provide oxygen and distraction for the regime, we blather on, convincing ourselves we're doing constructive work. Frustrating.
"Guadalupe is starting to rise. Schumacher is not passable." 3:27 a.m. First Responder Kerr County. "Can we put out a Code Red for residents in Hunt?" 4:22 a.m.
It would not be until 5:30 a.m. on July 4th the first emergency flood warning response came out from local officials warning of "dangerous flooding". With lives hanging in the balance, the Texas Hill Country was left to fight for their lives in the dead of night. To say this is unacceptable is an understatement. To say "champions don't ask those questions" is an insult.
In 2021 Kerr County turned down $10 million from the ARPA Biden Administration with some calling it "blood money". That same money could have been used for critical infrastructure upgrades including communication and storm drainage. This money sat there.
I love the Texas Hill Country; beautiful and serene. Now devastated by some of the worst flooding in Texas history. The people that paid the price for deadly inaction in this catastrophe are the children and families. The price is too great.
"How high's the water Mama? Five feet high and risin'. We gotta head for higher ground; we can't come back till the water goes down. Five feet high and risin'."
Very adept analysis, Alex. America should have paid attention.
When I left Austin I kept emergency notifications in place. I did not get an alert. Checking on friends they said the same. Nothing from Austin or Kerr. Austin sent two alerts this morning regarding heavy rain. First one in Spanish and one in English.
I visited the Watersnood Museum in Zeeland a few years ago and also a Delta Works exhibit. Seeing the names of the victims projected on the floor of a special area in the museum gave me chills. However, seeing what was done after and the massive infrastructure in place now showed the Dutch resolve never to have anything like that happen again that you mention.
So much went wrong in this disaster in Texas. I’m glad Mexico has a working government and sent help. Clearly America first only means the super-rich or where money is to be made.
Exactly so, Evelyn. Thank you for sharing your experience s at the Museum and the Delta Works. I'm touched that the names of the victims are not forgotten. Many thanks, too, to the Mexican government and the rescuers it dispatched.
This is a remarkable account of two parallel disasters. Texas government will do their best to assign blame and walk away from the responsibility of prevention. The images you found of the Dutch tragedy are profound. Thank you for sharing them.
"What seems to be missing is the political will to treat flooding not as an act of God to be endured but as a problem to be solved."
I fear we are entrenched in exactly this issue. The Christian right and MAGA ignore science and the necessity of providing action, investment, funding to remedy catastrophy and prevent further disasters.
Instead of prevention, we get thoughts and prayers & tax breaks for the obscenely rich.
I’m afraid I must question whether or not enough of the American voters understand that our government should be protecting all citizens from such disasters, so that prevention can be implemented instead of playing the blame game & praying it never happens again.
So thoughtful and written with such pinpoint perspective. I can only add, as I live in this soon-wrecked country, that greed has surpassed all common wisdom as to how to live without fear of what may happen next. American citizens are working toward the next election but that is more than 15 months away. That's a lifetime for so many people in jeopardy here. All we can to is work hard to avert further disaster.....
The history you relate is in stark contrast to the lack of preparedness as well as government response to the Texas catastrophe. The Dutch people learned from their horrific disaster and took decisive action to prevent an occurrence. Action that has had increasing benefits in the years that followed for not only protecting the land and residents but enhancing tourism and public services.
As heartbreaking as is the Texas flood and loss of innocent lives, to compound the devastation, the Trump government’s destruction of preventive agencies was a direct consequence and will be again as extreme weather comes around again and again. Additionally the Department of Human Services, in three days following this event, did nothing to assist with search and recovery.
Sound, responsible government that uses science, technology and expertise was the difference for The Netherlands. America suffers from an administrations that denies science and climate change and calls parents who lost children and ask for answers ‘very bad people’ for being so bold as to ask for answers and explanations.
Thank you for an excellent article so well written from your own perspective and experiences.
Thank you Lizzie. Perfect aim....bullseye.
🙏
Many volunteers have combed through the debris searching for victims and hoping for recovery. We have an out-of-control, reckless head of state who claims there is nothing he can do. Proving him wrong are firefighters and first responders from Mexico who volunteered their time and are responsible for one live recovery. We're not seeing this featured in MSM. During Arab Springs, Twitter played a significant role in providing organization for activists and supporters. We apparently now use social media to elevate the obscene rantings and lies of the reckless head of state. We provide oxygen and distraction for the regime, we blather on, convincing ourselves we're doing constructive work. Frustrating.
"Guadalupe is starting to rise. Schumacher is not passable." 3:27 a.m. First Responder Kerr County. "Can we put out a Code Red for residents in Hunt?" 4:22 a.m.
It would not be until 5:30 a.m. on July 4th the first emergency flood warning response came out from local officials warning of "dangerous flooding". With lives hanging in the balance, the Texas Hill Country was left to fight for their lives in the dead of night. To say this is unacceptable is an understatement. To say "champions don't ask those questions" is an insult.
In 2021 Kerr County turned down $10 million from the ARPA Biden Administration with some calling it "blood money". That same money could have been used for critical infrastructure upgrades including communication and storm drainage. This money sat there.
I love the Texas Hill Country; beautiful and serene. Now devastated by some of the worst flooding in Texas history. The people that paid the price for deadly inaction in this catastrophe are the children and families. The price is too great.
"How high's the water Mama? Five feet high and risin'. We gotta head for higher ground; we can't come back till the water goes down. Five feet high and risin'."
Very adept analysis, Alex. America should have paid attention.
When I left Austin I kept emergency notifications in place. I did not get an alert. Checking on friends they said the same. Nothing from Austin or Kerr. Austin sent two alerts this morning regarding heavy rain. First one in Spanish and one in English.
Thank you for sharing this, Rena. The loss is unthinkable. Every preventable action should have been taken.
I visited the Watersnood Museum in Zeeland a few years ago and also a Delta Works exhibit. Seeing the names of the victims projected on the floor of a special area in the museum gave me chills. However, seeing what was done after and the massive infrastructure in place now showed the Dutch resolve never to have anything like that happen again that you mention.
So much went wrong in this disaster in Texas. I’m glad Mexico has a working government and sent help. Clearly America first only means the super-rich or where money is to be made.
Thank you for this.
Exactly so, Evelyn. Thank you for sharing your experience s at the Museum and the Delta Works. I'm touched that the names of the victims are not forgotten. Many thanks, too, to the Mexican government and the rescuers it dispatched.