At Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, at least 27 young girls and staff members perished during the floods over the July 4 weekend. The camp expressed, “Our hearts are broken,” and requested prayers and privacy as the search for the missing continues.
Emergency officials characterized the rainfall as a “worst-case scenario,” with four months’ worth of rain falling within just a few hours. Critics swiftly pointed fingers at the National Weather Service (NWS) for not issuing more robust warnings. However, officials countered that forecasts had predicted between 3 to 8 inches of rain—significantly less than what actually occurred.
Meteorologist Chris Vagasky stated, “The forecasting was good. The warnings were good. The issue was getting people to receive them.”
Nonetheless, the presence of vacant NWS positions in San Antonio—including the roles of science officer and warning coordination meteorologist—has raised alarms. Staffing reductions linked to Trump’s 2025 budget have eliminated nearly 600 NWS positions across the country.
During a press conference, President Trump disclaimed any responsibility, labeling it a “Biden setup.” Nevertheless, he also recognized the storm as “a 100-year catastrophe,” remarking, “Very talented people are there, and they didn’t see it.”
With Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem present, federal assistance is being mobilized. It remains uncertain whether Trump will make a visit.
As Texas grieves, the discourse surrounding forecasting failures and political accountability intensifies—while families continue to seek answers amidst profound loss.
