On July 3-4, 2025, a severe weather event engulfed some parts of the United States, leading to flash floods in the central Texas region and a fatal storm in New Jersey. This caused several deaths, destruction of property, and loss of the holiday celebrations, which affected societies, leaving them in confusion and loss.
/*Texas: Disaster Floods On the Guadalupe River*/
Heavy rains of 5-10 inches (130-260mm) the night before in the Hill Country of central Texas in Kerr and Kendall and Gillespie counties dropped 5-10 inches of rain and 15 minutes later flooded the Guadalupe River near Kerrville went from 7 feet to more than 29 feet and overtopped the gauge and was washed away.
Authorities stated there was catastrophic flooding and at least six people were killed, with dozens more reported missing, after several summer camps along the river were noted as having campers. Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly issued a warning that the sheriff's office is already attempting to identify the identity of these people who are reported as lost.
Governor Greg Abbott activated the National Guard and water rescue forces, helicopters, and set up a Walmart in Kerrville as a reunification point. Mayor Joe Herring hailed the first rescuers and invited the community to pray, and the Houston Fire Department divisions, alongside the associations linked to FEMA, came to rescue the city.
There is still an emergency relating to a flash flood, where there are predictions of continued rain, causing greater fear of flooding
/*New Jersey: Downed Trees and Deaths*/
On Thursday night, a severe thunderstorm with winds of more than 60mph struck the center of New Jersey. In Plainfield, Rocco Sansone, a 79-year-old man, and Brian Ernesto Valladares, a 25-year-old man, were killed in the centre of the storm as a huge tree hit their car, and a third victim was killed in closeby North Plainfield.
/*Background*/
The result of Central Texas flash flooding was a result of the long duration of drought, which hit ground that could not absorb the sudden rainfall, practically transforming drought-hit ground to a runoff apocalypse. The topography with hilly features also sped up water flow, traits which are identified with a 1-in-100-year rainfall.
Such severe thunderstorms are seasonal in New Jersey, but the violence and timing of their occurrence, especially on the eve of national celebrations, shocked people, with many caught unawares.
/*The Next Step?*/
Texas is still going through a lot of search and rescue by emergency personnel. Governor Abbott focused on resource allocation and advised people not to be in the flood path. There is also solicitation in solidarity and recovery efforts by the New Jersey Mayor, Mapp, during the efforts to restore power, as well as start the actual physical clearance of this debris.
Societies are also advised to be aware of the local forces and to comply with safety warnings in the case of weather fluctuations.