Following the devastating floods in Texas, a U.S. congressman continues his quest for clarity and accountability
Texas Congressman Seeks Clarification on Federal Response to July 4 Floods
Rep. Lloyd Doggett, a Democratic representative from Texas, is pressing for answers regarding the federal government's response to the devastating floods that hit his state on July 4.
In a videoconference meeting with Ken Graham, the director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), on July 11, Doggett expressed his concerns about the agency's actions during the disaster. However, he has not yet received a written response from the agencies he wrote to.
Doggett sent a follow-up letter to NOAA on July 8, with 15 additional questions about the agency's response to the floods. In this letter, he requested detailed records, including phone call logs, chat conversations, radar archives, and shift schedules, to investigate the agency's actions during the July 4th storm.
The detailed records requested by Doggett are intended to shed light on the effectiveness of the National Weather Service's communication with emergency managers and other stakeholders during the floods. It is less clear how effectively the service was able to reach these individuals during the crisis.
Independent meteorologists have stated that the National Weather Service issued timely warnings during the July 4 floods. Yet, Doggett has called for an investigation similar to those performed by the National Transportation Safety Board after major disasters, to ensure that all necessary steps were taken to protect the public.
The Austin/San Antonio weather forecasting office, which oversaw forecasting and communication in the areas hit hard by the July storms, had vacancies in key positions during the floods. Doggett sent his first letter to NOAA on May 20, expressing concerns about the vacancy rate in this office.
The Commerce Department's public records website shows that an FOIA request for chat logs and communications between forecasters was listed as "assigned for processing." Some of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests made by NBC News could turn up records with answers to Doggett's questions, but they have yet to be fulfilled.
Four children from Austin were among the victims of the July 4 floods, according to Rep. Doggett. He has been asking for the requested records since July 11 and has not received a satisfactory explanation. Doggett has accused the Commerce Department of stifling a response he believed was prepared by NOAA to address his questions.
Doggett has written four letters to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and one to the Department of Commerce, demanding records about the July 4 flood response. As the investigation continues, the public will be informed about the findings and any actions taken to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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