A climate of disaster: The lesson of the Kerr County floods

On 4 July 2025, a flash flood emergency warning was issued in the Southern United States for severe weather that was headed for states in the South. The state of Texas, specifically Kerr County in Central Texas, was the source of extreme flooding that wiped out homes and destroyed livelihoods. The Guadalupe River, which runs through Kerr County, rose 25 inches in one hour, overflowing its banks and leading to 107 confirmed deaths in the county.

Natural disasters continue to worsen in both record numbers and increasing severity in the United States

In the wake of heartbreak, the country is doing yet another post-mortem. Natural disasters continue to worsen in both record numbers and increasing severity in the United States. The importance of coordinated and resolute responses to these kinds of disasters was characteristic in the criticism that roundly befell the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), David Richardson, due to an alleged lack of response to the flooding in Texas.

As the head of the organisation, Richardson faced deep and lasting challenges over how thorough and systematic the disaster relief effort had been. Richardson said FEMA had done its “own mission analysis” when it came to disaster prevention and had followed their intended steps to ensure safety in the wake of what had been a very difficult tragedy.

However, the American public has been at a loss in terms of a concerted response to environmental disasters for far longer than 4 July. A majority of the country continues to feel unprepared for the kind of major disruption that increasingly unpredictable weather patterns in the US are throwing up. In a survey taken by FEMA in 2024, 57% of those who responded said they did not feel prepared for future disasters. As a counterpart in the West, Europe has far fewer natural disasters of less significant magnitude and still has only 37% of the collective population with a fear of the potential damage that a natural disaster would cause.

A broad examination of how climate change is affecting America and the onset of natural disasters that comes with it needs to be undertaken and fast. Year after year, parts of the country are being thrown into turmoil by extreme weather that is outside of their immediate control. This is coupled with new areas that are continuing to experience freak weather incidents, having had no history of disruptive weather patterns in the past.

The US has experienced between $6-8 billion natural disasters as of the year 2025. This is more than any other nation

According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the US has experienced between $6-8 billion natural disasters as of the year 2025. This is more than any other nation. Wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and droughts have all left major damage in pockets of the country this year. There are nations that would see just one of these events as a resolute tragedy.

The impact of these disasters is widely consigned to a state-by-state solution. Wildfires are more prone in the dry heat of California and Nevada in the West. Tropical storms and hurricanes are frequent in the humid East Coast climate of states like Florida and its neighbours. In the Northeast, in states like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine, there are often blizzards, while in the South, in states such as Louisiana and Texas, you will see widespread flooding.

The lack of investment in education and infrastructure relating to disaster prevention has led to significant disparities in the outcomes that certain groups face when dealing with natural disasters. “Climate change has increased the frequency and magnitude of hurricanes in Florida,” Patricia Burke, a central Florida resident, told The Boar.

The central Pacific hurricane season – where Florida is located – runs from June to November and typically brings four to five tropical cyclones. Immediate responses can make or break the ensuing damage and the speed of recovery. “This means, for me personally, to have hyper-vigilance and preparedness every hurricane season. While the state does a fairly good job warning people, cuts to FEMA will make it impossible to rebuild quickly,” Patricia added.

According to reports, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton, in Florida, caused a combined 50 deaths and over $60 billion in damages in September and October 2024. With certain states being deluged with these kinds of natural disasters year after year, the renewed optimism and sense of resilience are hard to maintain. These tropical storms are becoming more prevalent throughout the East Coast. The warm ocean waters and low winds, continually whipped up with more regularity as a result of climate change, have led to fundamental shifts in how residents of affected states have to prepare.

Most of my neighbourhood is now considered a flood zone, despite being three miles from the water. My home insurance has quadrupled

Gordon Ebanks, a Long Island, New York resident

Long Island experienced heavy flooding last year, with record rainfall in Suffolk County on 18 and 19 August 2024. “Most of my neighbourhood is now considered a flood zone, despite being three miles from the water. My home insurance has quadrupled,” Gordon Ebanks, a long-time Long Island, New York resident, told The Boar. “We have also taken down trees to prevent home damage during the now more frequent storms.”

The resulting future is a highly difficult one for those in the country most deeply affected by natural disasters. The conclusion may be a form of retreat from coastal regions of the US, up to now known for their desirable climates and strong natural beauty. On a policy level, there will need to be far greater infrastructure and investment to ensure that events such as the Texas floods do not become entrenched seasonal patterns. This will call for more dynamic evacuation processes and more durable structures that can withstand floodwater, storm winds, and potentially open flames. It will call for people across the country to change the way they think about natural disasters and what they can do, both at a local and state level, to ensure proper precautions are in place.

A reinforced home, quick evacuation, or personal act of generosity may be the thing that saves a life

In a presidential administration that is rapidly de-prioritising disaster responses – primarily through the cancellation of federal grants for future climate disaster prevention and the scaling back of funding, with talk of shifting funding to states – this will prove an uphill battle. The Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Kristi Noem, has created a posture that states should first seek to help themselves, meaning the pivotal decision-making at the local level is essential.

A reinforced home, quick evacuation, or personal act of generosity may be the thing that saves a life. As the weather becomes more unpredictable and a unified response less certain, this is a reality they will have to get used to.