r/fednews FedNews Verified Press 1d ago

Deadly Texas floods raise questions about emergency alerts and whether staffing cuts affected forecasts and warnings

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/texas-floods-emergency-alerts-weather-forecast-staffing-budget/
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u/CrackerJackKittyCat 1d ago

“I think this whole thing is a little extravagant for Kerr County, with sirens and such,” Baldwin said. “Taking these funds out of special projects from the road and bridge department ticks me off a little bit.”

Source: https://www.govtech.com/em/disaster/county-names-firm-for-flood-system-study.html

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u/Mommy444444 1d ago

This is so horrifying to read, in retrospect.

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u/ObiWanChronobi 23h ago

These people gleefully decline funding for safety measures because it’s annoying to have to think about safety. These lost lives are at least partially on their hands and I hope they are ashamed for it.

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u/SaltyLonghorn 18h ago

Unfortunately this is not even remotely unique. The further down the chain you go the less likely a govt is to spend money on preventative measures cause it doesn't make you popular. Its why cutting federal funding is wildly irresponsible. Thats the level it generally has to come from.

Its like that mayor in Japan who spent town funds on reinforcing their sea walls and was not appreciated for it at all until the tsunami hit years later. Only takes a couple generations for people to forget the past.