AUSTIN (KXAN) — The July floods that devastated Central Texas are unprecedented on many accounts–the change in river level, the loss of life.
The impacts of the 40+ foot rise of the Guadalupe have not been seen by even those who have called this part of the state home for years–that includes KXAN’s Senior Forecaster Jim Spencer. Meteorologist Kristen Currie spoke with her colleague about his perspective on the floods.
Use the video player above to listen or read an edited transcription of the conversation below.
Meteorologist Kristen Currie, KXAN News: He’s been forecasting Central Texas weather for decades. A man that needs no introduction. Jim, talk to me about how unusual this July weather has been. Have you ever seen anything like it?
Jim Spencer, KXAN News: So I’m going on 35 years in forecasting Austin and Central Texas weather, and this is, by a long shot, the worst tragedy, the worst loss of life we’ve ever seen. From a weather event in ’98 on the Guadalupe, in 2002 on the Guadalupe… and then random events, smaller flood events on the Guadalupe… they’ve taken lives, but at this magnitude? At this level of the river? Nah.
They’re saying this is now about a 500-year flood, and that is very believable. Of course, you and I both know that many waterways now see 500-year floods, or 100-year floods, every couple of years due to the forcing going on in our atmosphere due to climate change–due to warming.
At the end of the day, those Flash Flood Watches… People, we’ve preached this for years on KXAN from the weather department perspective, a watch means something. A warning means something. It means take action. And that 1:15 a.m. warning was about two hours before we think the first fatality occurred on the Guadalupe River.
There are a lot of questions that remain to be answered about who is responsible for getting the message out to those victims and getting evacuations underway. What happened in that two-hour window? We’re three weeks in – where are those answers? I’m proud of our investigative team for continuing to do what they’re doing.
This is still extremely traumatic for all of us, and we can’t even imagine the trauma for those families, especially those few that are apparently still missing.
Currie: Jim, you’re a trusted voice in this community. You were messaging back with us during the Independence Day flood, so your insight, your experience–it just is so valuable, and we’re so lucky to have you. Thank you so much for taking the time with us.