UHND.com - Notre Dame Football, Basketball, & Recruiting

...here's an excerpt from a NYT article...
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The National Weather Service’s San Angelo office, which is responsible for some of the areas hit hardest by Friday’s flooding, was missing a senior hydrologist, staff forecaster and meteorologist in charge, according to Tom Fahy, the legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, the union that represents Weather Service workers.

The Weather Service’s nearby San Antonio office, which covers other areas hit by the floods, also had significant vacancies, including a warning coordination meteorologist and science officer, Mr. Fahy said. Staff members in those positions are meant to work with local emergency managers to plan for floods, including when and how to warn local residents and help them evacuate.

That office’s warning coordination meteorologist left on April 30, after taking the early retirement package the Trump administration used to reduce the number of federal employees, according to a person with knowledge of his departure.
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...and here's an AI summary of what a Hydrologist does, and why he/she is so important to the protection of life in known flash flood regions...like Kerrville, Texas...
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AI Overview

In the National Weather Service (NWS), hydrologists play a crucial role in monitoring, analyzing, and forecasting water-related conditions, particularly for flood and drought events. They use their expertise to provide timely and accurate information to the public, emergency managers, and other stakeholders, helping to mitigate the risks associated with water-related hazards.

Here's a more detailed breakdown of their responsibilities:

Monitoring and Forecasting:
Hydrologists at the NWS are responsible for continuously monitoring river and stream levels, rainfall, and other relevant data to assess current and potential flood conditions. They use this data to create river forecasts, flash flood guidance, and other products that inform the public about potential hazards.

Flood Warning and Watch Issuance:
A key part of their role is to issue flood warnings and watches when conditions indicate a potential for flooding. These warnings and watches alert the public to the need for preparedness and potential evacuation measures.

Collaboration and Communication:
NWS hydrologists work closely with other agencies, including local, state, and federal partners, to coordinate flood response efforts and disseminate information. They also communicate with the public through various channels, including social media, websites, and direct outreach.

Research and Development:
Hydrologists at the NWS are also involved in research and development activities, working to improve forecasting models, data collection techniques, and the overall understanding of hydrologic processes.

Training and Education:
They often train other NWS staff, including forecasters, on hydrologic principles and procedures. They may also conduct outreach and educational activities to inform the public about water safety and flood preparedness.

In essence, NWS hydrologists serve as the local experts on water-related issues, working to protect lives and property by providing timely and accurate information about potential hazards.
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The Hydrologist would be able to convert rainfall data and known topography into river water level predictions in affected areas and send out warnings of just how severe the flooding would be...note that the Guadalupe River flow increased from 95 cubic/feet per second ...to 165,000 cfs in 90 minutes.

Note also that in another article, a 73 yr old resident of 'Flash Flood Alley' said that in 40 years, he'd never seen anything like what happened last week...which speaks to the reality of Global Warming/Climate Change...what just happened is not a "One-Off" event...it's only going to get worse...so Texas, and the rest of the GOP, need to "Wake Up" and start protecting lives...instead of feeding the whims and wants of the wealthiest among us.