Who dropped the ball? Texas officials blame DOGE cuts
Share and Follow

In the Hill Country area of Texas, flooding is a common occurrence. Back in 1987, heavy rainfall caused the Guadalupe River to overflow, leaving over 30 individuals stranded and resulting in the tragic deaths of 10 teenagers from the Pot O’ Gold Christian Camp.

Since then, local authorities have been actively pursuing both public and private funding opportunities to prevent similar flooding incidents in the future. Recent reports have highlighted efforts to secure grants aimed at addressing these concerns, prompting questions regarding the recent storm surge along the Guadalupe River that claimed numerous lives.

An allocation of $1 million was granted in 2017 to enhance the high-water detection systems along the Guadalupe River. This funding was utilized to deploy 10 additional gauges to better monitor water levels and improve early warning capabilities.

Three years ago, PepsiCo and Frito-Lay awarded a $1.2 million grant to the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority, or the GBRA, which strives to conserve and protect the water resources of the Guadalupe River Basin.

The GBRA was established by the Texas Legislature in 1933.

Two 60-year-old Goff Bayou radial gates, which regulated periodic flooding and high tides, were replaced with the grant.

“The structure’s resiliency to withstand extreme weather conditions and climate variability will be enhanced,” the companies boasted in a news release.

Officials have also been restoring area wetlands as a way to enhance natural flood management, and money has been spent on improved investments in drainage systems and other flood control infrastructure.

But the efforts apparently failed to prevent Friday’s deadly floods, in which 32 people, including 14 children, were killed when the Guadalupe again surged over its banks.

Texas officials pointed fingers at the National Weather Service, which they said issued forecasts earlier in the week downplaying the impending storm and its severity.

“The original forecast that we received Wednesday from the National Weather Service predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain in the Concho Valley and 4 to 8 inches in the Hill Country,” offered Texas Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd at a news conference Friday.

“The amount of rain that fell at this specific location was never in any of those forecasts,” Kidd added.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Inside Barry Morphew's secretive life 600 miles away from epicenter of murder investigation into wife's death

Inside Barry Morphew’s secretive life 600 miles away from epicenter of murder investigation into wife’s death

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! CAVE CREEK, Ariz. –…
Heather Graham flaunts body in several bikinis during Italy vacation

Heather Graham shows off swimsuits in Italy trip

There is no one else who is soaking up the sun more…
Bobby Jenks, former All-Star White Sox closer, dead at 44

Former White Sox All-Star closer Bobby Jenks passes away at the age of 44

Former White Sox closer and 2005 World Series champion Bobby Jenks died…
Legoland opens resort in Shanghai, the first in China

Legoland opens its first resort in China in Shanghai.

It is one of 11 parks across the world and was built…
Biden's 'puppet masters' being forced to dish on his presidency

Those who influence Biden are now being required to share information about his time as president.

Republicans on Capitol Hill are set to question several of Joe Biden’s…
Saints Alvin Kamara gets do-over after bad first pitch at Wrigley Field before Cardinals-Cubs game

Alvin Kamara from the Saints gets a second chance at throwing the first pitch at Wrigley Field before the Cardinals face off against the Cubs

New Orleans Saints star running back Alvin Kamara will not be making the…
A fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Iran war tests the harmony of Los Angeles' huge Iranian community

A delicate truce in the conflict between Israel and Iran challenges the unity of the large Iranian population in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — “Tehrangeles” in West Los Angeles is home to…
Collapsed gangway knocks out power at Fernandina Harbor Marina

Port Marina at Fernandina Harbor loses electricity due to fallen gangway.

The gangway collapsed Friday night during a fireworks show, plunging spectators into…