The UN World Meteorological Organisation says the deadly flash floods in central Texas, U.S., highlight growing global challenges around extreme rainfall, warning dissemination and community preparedness.

No fewer than 100 people have reportedly died over the July 4 weekend floods, including more than two dozen children at a summer camp.

WMO said the tragedy highlights growing global challenges around extreme rainfall, warning dissemination and community preparedness.

Flash floods are the most lethal form of flooding, responsible for over 5,000 deaths annually and 85 per cent of all flood-related fatalities worldwide, according to WMO data, and result in economic losses of more than $50 billion annually.

“Unlike slow-onset river floods, flash floods leave very limited time for reaction. That makes accurate short-term forecasting and community preparedness essential, ” the agency said in a statement on Wednesday.

One-day precipitation totals from NASA’s IMERG multi-satellite precipitation product show heavy rainfall over central Texas on Friday.

The U.S. National Weather Service issued timely alerts, including a flash flood watch more than 12 hours in advance, which was upgraded to a flash flood emergency about three hours before the impact.

The warnings were disseminated by Weather Radio, emergency management systems and television and radio stations, but many people, including hundreds of children at summer camps, were not reached in time.

Floodwaters surged dramatically as the Guadalupe River rose nearly eight metres (about 26 feet) in about 45 minutes. Among the hardest hit was the all-girls summer camp, Camp Mystic, along the river, where at least 27 campers and counsellors died, according to media reports.

Texas state authorities reported that more than 160 people remained missing. The disaster has triggered one of the largest search-and-rescue efforts in state history.

Flash floods are not new, but their frequency and intensity are increasing in many regions due to rapid urbanisation, land-use change and a warming climate.

“A warmer atmosphere holds more moisture and so this means that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent,” WMO said.

The Texas disaster joins a string of recent catastrophic floods. In 2022, flash floods in Pakistan killed over 1,700 people and displaced millions. In 2024, floods in Europe, the Middle East and Africa saw $36 billion in economic damages.

(NAN)