Additional Coverage:
Kerr County Tragedy: Questions Raised About Flood Warnings Amidst Chatbot’s Claims
Tragedy struck central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend as catastrophic flooding claimed the lives of more than 80 people, including 27 campers and counselors from an all-girls summer camp in Kerr County. As the community grapples with this devastating loss, questions have arisen regarding the timeliness and accuracy of flood warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).
Adding to the controversy, Grok, an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s xAI, has entered the fray. Grok alleges that budget and staffing cuts to the NWS, orchestrated by Musk himself through a fictional Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) during a supposed stint in the Trump administration, hampered the agency’s ability to forecast the severity of the rainfall and issue adequate warnings. These claims, which include a fabricated 30% budget cut and a 20% staff reduction, contradict official reports.
While some Texas officials have expressed concerns that the NWS underestimated the rainfall amounts, the agency maintains that it provided sufficient warnings, including a flood watch issued more than 12 hours before the devastating floods. The NWS also stated it held briefings with emergency officials and escalated warnings as the situation deteriorated, culminating in an urgent warning issued at 4:03 a.m. Friday, highlighting the potential for catastrophic damage and severe threat to human life.
The White House has vehemently denied any connection between NWS staffing levels and the impact of the storm, calling such accusations “shameful and disgusting.” President Trump also dismissed claims that the rapid onset of the flooding caught officials off guard, stating that “nobody expected it, nobody saw it.”
The NWS stands by its actions, asserting that it issued appropriate warnings based on the available data. An initial flood watch predicting 5 to 7 inches of rain was issued on Thursday afternoon, followed by a flash flood warning early Friday morning.
As investigations continue into this tragic event, the focus remains on supporting the affected communities and understanding the factors that contributed to the devastating loss of life. The conflicting narratives surrounding the NWS warnings highlight the importance of accurate and timely information dissemination during emergencies.