Texas floods: 'scale of disaster down to multiple factors'

Comment from Dr Jess Neumann after latest updates from Texas indicate at least 100 people have died. For interviews, contact the Unviersity of Reading Press Office on 0118 378 5757 or pressoffice@reading.ac.uk

 

Dr Jess Neumann, associate professor of hydrology, University of Reading, said: 

 

"As further heavy rainfall and the prospect of more flash floods continue to threaten parts of Texas today, hampering ongoing rescue and recovery efforts in areas already devastated, questions are being asked about what went wrong to lead to such heartbreaking loss of life.

 

"As with many catastrophic flood events, the causes of this disaster will not come down to one individual factor. Previous experience from other flood disasters shows that there is often a breakdown in multiple places along the chains of warning, preparedness and action, which are supposed to keep people safe.

 

"Authorities reviewing the disaster will need to deconstruct how any uncertainty in the rainfall and flood forecasts were communicated, and to understand how the risks and warnings were communicated to local authorities, key decision-makers and the public, and seeing how this led to action, or inaction.

 

"Broader questions will also need to be asked about the potential impacts of cuts to critical resources that were designed to keep people safe. In general, the experience of flood disasters is that authorities should improve how flood warnings are delivered, across multiple channels. While mobile phones are more prevalent than ever before, relying on mobile networks to deliver life-saving warnings is a big risk, especially when it relies on people in the most at-risk areas having mobile coverage, having enough battery, and being signed up for alerts. Alerts also need to be sure to get through to people at night.

 

"People also need to know what to do when they receive an alert, which is why it is important to practise what to do in an emergency. In earthquake-prone regions, schools and offices hold drills, so that people know what to do when an earthquake hits. Sirens are sounded in some parts of the world to warn people of impending tornado risk. In the US, people are warned to stay out of thunderstorms to avoid the very real risk of being struck by lightning, especially in open spaces, with the reminder "when thunder roars, go indoors". Around the world, flooding is the most damaging natural hazard we face, so we should afford floods at least similar types of drills, communication, and action to avoid more people losing their lives in such tragic circumstances."