Texas Flood Tragedy: Two Young Sisters Lost, Raising Questions About Preparedness

Hundreds of rescuers are searching for those missing in the devastating Texas floods, including girls from Camp Mystic, a Christian youth camp. The search continues following the tragic confirmation of the deaths of two young sisters.

The father of Blair (13) and Brooke Harber (11), confirmed to CNN that his daughters perished in the Kerr County flooding. RJ Harber shared touching tributes, describing Blair as “a gifted student and had a generous kind heart” and Brooke as “a light in any room, people gravitated to her and she made them laugh and enjoy the moment”.

Official Response and Weather Forecasting Under Scrutiny

Officials defended their preparations for severe weather and their response, but acknowledged the unexpected intensity of the downpour. The rainfall was described as the equivalent of months’ worth of rain for the area.

Discrepancy in Rainfall Forecasts

A National Weather Service (NWS) forecast predicted only 3-6 inches (76-152mm) of rain, according to Kidd of the Texas division of emergency management. This significant discrepancy between the forecast and the actual rainfall raises questions about the accuracy of predictions and the effectiveness of preparedness measures.

For more information on the ongoing rescue efforts and the investigation into the flood's impact, continue reading...

Learn more about the overall Texas flood recovery efforts from The Guardian.