Graphics: Where the Texas floods happened and how high the waters rose
Most of the reported deaths in the July 4 floods occurred in Kerr County, Texas, along the Guadalupe River. Provisional river gauge data from the U.S. Geological Survey, recorded at various points along the river, showed water levels spiking to record levels over the course of a few hours.
Loading…
The river gauge closest to Camp Mystic is about five miles downstream of the camp, where the south and north forks of the Guadalupe River merge. It recorded a rise of more than 25 feet in two hours, before going silent for the rest of the day.
Loading…
The website for the National Water Prediction Service lists what might happen if a river gauge hits certain levels. For the Guadalupe River at Hunt river gauge — the one downstream from Camp Mystic in the chart above — one might expect to see:
- “Major flooding” at camps along the south fork of the river (an area that includes Camp Mystic) at 25 feet
- “Disastrous life-threatening flooding” at 32 feet
The area is known for being susceptible to flash flooding. Ana Campbell of Texas Public Radio reported:
As any Texan knows, the weather here is unpredictable. That’s because of the state’s unique position between cold, dry air from the north and moist, warm air from the Gulf of Mexico. Central Texas in particular is prone to intense rainstorms. Water fills the Colorado and Guadalupe rivers and their tributaries, making the area a popular destination for boaters and swimmers.
But when certain weather patterns collide like they did on Friday, the area is inundated with water that rushes through the hills and canyons. The abundant limestone keeps the water from soaking into the ground, so it rushes into the valleys, Sarah Spivey, a meteorologist with KSAT, told NPR.
Peer pressure can make this clownfish change its stripes
Tomato clownfish, in response to an unpredictable world, appear capable of adjusting when they lose their stripes based on cues from other fish and their habitat, a new study in PLOS Biology finds.
Hezbollah strikes Israel as American and Israeli planes pound Iran
Iran and Iranian-backed militias fired missiles at Israel and Arab states, apparently hitting the U.S. Embassy compound in Kuwait, while Israel and the United States pounded targets in Iran on Monday.
Texas primaries could test whether Latino support for GOP is holding after 2024 gains
The GOP made big strides with Latino voters in 2024. Immigration and the economy were key drivers, but two years later, those issues could sway them to back Democrats in primaries happening this week.
Congress gears up for vote on Trump’s war powers in Iran — after the battle began
Democrats and a few Republicans are calling for curbing Trump's unilateral use of military power in Iran, despite previous such efforts failing to advance.
Got elbow or heel pain? Shockwave therapy can help
As more people stay active as they age, overuse injuries are increasing. A non-invasive treatment known as shockwave therapy can help ease heel and elbow pain. Here's how.
Lesley Manville says her stage and screen careers ‘feed each other’
The decorated British actress discusses her new film Midwinter Break, her role in Oedipus on Broadway and how she balances stage and screen.
