Texans tend to be independent,
fearless and stubborn; especially the older, native-born Texans and those
living outside of major urban centers.
We’ll spend money on pipe and cable fencing that cost four or five times more
than barbed wire because we like the look of it and it makes a statement. We’ll buy $100,000 pick-up trucks because we
can (and they make a statement). If it’s
football-related, we don’t even question it.
Just write the check. We spend
massive amounts of money on mega churches, plastic surgeries, swimming pools
and outdoor kitchens.
We’ll drop our pants and give millions of dollars in financial incentives to attract new businesses to our state. We love our agriculture, oil and gas and defense industries and are ever ready to grease the financial wheels as necessary. And we’ll spend money to provide water to our industries and our people. But, we have not seen the need to spend a bit of money on flash flood warning systems; not even in a place like the Hill Country where the Guadalupe River has a recorded history of extreme flash flood events dating all the way back to 1838 and as recently as 1998.
Whether one believes we live in a world broken by sin, the forces of nature, time or climate change; one must face the risks and manage them as best they can. We can and should pray to be spared; but even more so, we should pray for the wisdom and foresight to prepare. Sadly, it’s too late for the victims of the deadly flash flood of 2025. But there is no excuse for not being prepared for the next one.
