Texas has identified more than $50 billion in flood control needs, but lawmakers have devoted just $1.4 billion to address them

As a climate scientist who calls Texas home, I can tell you that the Hill Country of Texas is no stranger to flooding. Meteorologists often refer to it as “Flash Flood Alley” because of its steep terrain, shallow soils, and its history of sudden and intense rainfall.

In areas that see rainfall and increased cloud cover, temperatures are expected to remain below seasonal averages into next week, providing some relief from the summer heat. However, much of central and southern Texas, areas in the recovery phase from the catastrophic flooding, will face dangerous heat instead of renewed flooding.

On average, it takes five to seven years to develop and implement a new FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Map. As a result, many maps across the U.S. are significantly out of date, often failing to reflect current land use, urban development or evolving flood risks from extreme weather.

Only about half of the homeowners potentially impacted by floods in Kerr County were in FEMA's flood zones, and even fewer likely had flood insurance.

With hundreds confirmed dead or still missing, questions remain about the local response to flood warnings. Meanwhile, lawmakers will weigh measures to mitigate future disasters.

Many people in the United States receive little or no information about flood risk when they move into a new home or apartment. Here's how you can learn about your flood risk.

Flooding is a fact of life in Texas Hill Country, a region home to a flood-prone corridor known as “Flash Flood Alley.” Judge Rob Kelly, the top elected official in Kerr County, said as much on Sunday.