Alejandra Martinez
@alereports.bsky.social
Environmental reporter at The Texas Tribune. Have a tip? Email me at alejandra.martinez@texastribune.org
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
For #ClimateWeek we're highlighting important journalism from our Metcalf network, with today's focus on extreme weather coverage. AWJ 2025 alum @alereports.bsky.social covered the deadly 4th of July floods for the @texastribune.org:
ow.ly/Egkn50X0j0v
#ClimateMatters @climatecentral.org
ow.ly/Egkn50X0j0v
#ClimateMatters @climatecentral.org
History repeated itself when the Guadalupe River swept away Camp Mystic. Why few lessons were learned after the 1987 flood.
The Fourth of July flood bore a striking similarity to the Hill Country flood that killed 10 summer campers in 1987. In the following years, officials took little action to protect against the next st...
ow.ly
September 22, 2025 at 3:47 PM
For #ClimateWeek we're highlighting important journalism from our Metcalf network, with today's focus on extreme weather coverage. AWJ 2025 alum @alereports.bsky.social covered the deadly 4th of July floods for the @texastribune.org:
ow.ly/Egkn50X0j0v
#ClimateMatters @climatecentral.org
ow.ly/Egkn50X0j0v
#ClimateMatters @climatecentral.org
Texas is starting to use the $1B voters approved in 2023 for park acquisitions/development.
🌳 Last month, I previewed Hill Country land that will soon-to-be a new state park. TPWD staff are already on the ground cataloguing critters & plants. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/28/n...
🌳 Last month, I previewed Hill Country land that will soon-to-be a new state park. TPWD staff are already on the ground cataloguing critters & plants. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/28/n...
Texas buys land for new state parks that will be developed using $1 billion voter-approved fund
The fund opens a new era of public land acquisition and park development for Texas, which ranks 35th nationally in state park acreage per capita.
www.texastribune.org
July 28, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Texas is starting to use the $1B voters approved in 2023 for park acquisitions/development.
🌳 Last month, I previewed Hill Country land that will soon-to-be a new state park. TPWD staff are already on the ground cataloguing critters & plants. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/28/n...
🌳 Last month, I previewed Hill Country land that will soon-to-be a new state park. TPWD staff are already on the ground cataloguing critters & plants. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/28/n...
💧 Join us for a deep dive into what the 89th Texas Legislative session means for YOUR water. From rivers & groundwater to water supply, infrastructure & flooding — an expert panel breaks it all down. 🌊 #TexasWater #TXLege bit.ly/WaterWins
July 22, 2025 at 4:28 PM
💧 Join us for a deep dive into what the 89th Texas Legislative session means for YOUR water. From rivers & groundwater to water supply, infrastructure & flooding — an expert panel breaks it all down. 🌊 #TexasWater #TXLege bit.ly/WaterWins
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
If you have limited internet access or cell service, here's a version of our guide that's easier to load: texastribune.org/text/hQ22z4et/
July 8, 2025 at 10:28 PM
If you have limited internet access or cell service, here's a version of our guide that's easier to load: texastribune.org/text/hQ22z4et/
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
A quarter of Texas' land carries some degree of severe flood risk, leaving an estimated 5 million Texans in possible jeopardy.
Local governments — especially counties — have limited policy tools to regulate building in areas most prone to flooding.
Local governments — especially counties — have limited policy tools to regulate building in areas most prone to flooding.
“Disasters are a human choice”: Texas counties have little power to stop building in flood-prone areas
Experts suggested that more data and education are needed as Texas and the rest of the country build in known flood plains.
www.texastribune.org
July 9, 2025 at 1:23 PM
A quarter of Texas' land carries some degree of severe flood risk, leaving an estimated 5 million Texans in possible jeopardy.
Local governments — especially counties — have limited policy tools to regulate building in areas most prone to flooding.
Local governments — especially counties — have limited policy tools to regulate building in areas most prone to flooding.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
These maps and charts show the scale and intensity of the Hill Country floods and highlight Camp Mystic’s proximity to high-risk flood zones.
These graphics show the scope of Texas’ Hill Country floods
These maps and charts show the scale and intensity of the Hill Country floods and highlight Camp Mystic’s proximity to high-risk flood zones.
www.texastribune.org
July 9, 2025 at 2:04 PM
These maps and charts show the scale and intensity of the Hill Country floods and highlight Camp Mystic’s proximity to high-risk flood zones.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
Weather warnings gave officials a 3 hour, 21 minute window to save lives in Kerr County. What happened then remains unclear. www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/t...
Weather warnings gave officials a 3 hour, 21 minute window to save lives in Kerr County. What happened then remains unclear.
Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.
www.texastribune.org
July 9, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Weather warnings gave officials a 3 hour, 21 minute window to save lives in Kerr County. What happened then remains unclear. www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/t...
Why does the Texas Hill Country keep flooding?
🔸 Topography: thin, rocky soil doesn’t absorb much water & it runs off fast
🔸 Climate: tropical storms from the Gulf bring in more moisture and rain
A look at the region's past #texasfloods for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/f...
🔸 Topography: thin, rocky soil doesn’t absorb much water & it runs off fast
🔸 Climate: tropical storms from the Gulf bring in more moisture and rain
A look at the region's past #texasfloods for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/f...
Hills, rivers and rocky terrain: Why the Hill Country keeps flooding
When storms roll in, water rushes downhill fast, gaining speed and force as it moves — often with deadly results.
www.texastribune.org
July 8, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Why does the Texas Hill Country keep flooding?
🔸 Topography: thin, rocky soil doesn’t absorb much water & it runs off fast
🔸 Climate: tropical storms from the Gulf bring in more moisture and rain
A look at the region's past #texasfloods for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/f...
🔸 Topography: thin, rocky soil doesn’t absorb much water & it runs off fast
🔸 Climate: tropical storms from the Gulf bring in more moisture and rain
A look at the region's past #texasfloods for @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/07/08/f...
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
The storied Camp Mystic, a Hill Country fixture for generations of Texas leaders’ daughters, has become the site of a desperate search and rescue following catastrophic flooding.
Camp Mystic, a haven for generations of Texas girls, becomes a center of tragedy
More than two dozen girls are missing from the camp, which has hosted the daughters of governors and one president. Rescue efforts continue.
www.texastribune.org
July 5, 2025 at 6:34 PM
The storied Camp Mystic, a Hill Country fixture for generations of Texas leaders’ daughters, has become the site of a desperate search and rescue following catastrophic flooding.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
The scale of the disaster in Texas Hill County — and the fact that major flooding is common in this part of the state — has raised questions over whether more could have been done to warn people in the path of the flood waters.
In Texas region prone to catastrophic floods, questions grow about lack of warning
Water rose fast along the Guadalupe River, causing more than two dozen deaths. Local officials said they couldn’t have seen it coming.
www.texastribune.org
July 5, 2025 at 8:32 PM
The scale of the disaster in Texas Hill County — and the fact that major flooding is common in this part of the state — has raised questions over whether more could have been done to warn people in the path of the flood waters.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
If you have limited internet access or phone service, here's a version of our guide that's easier to load: texastribune.org/text/hQ22z4et/
July 5, 2025 at 9:59 PM
If you have limited internet access or phone service, here's a version of our guide that's easier to load: texastribune.org/text/hQ22z4et/
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
UPDATE: The official death toll jumped to 43 following the catastrophic floods that hit the Texas Hill Country as of Saturday evening, local officials announced during a news conference.
Hill Country flooding death toll rises to 43 as search continues for missing girls, other survivors
Twenty-seven girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp remain missing.
www.texastribune.org
July 5, 2025 at 11:26 PM
UPDATE: The official death toll jumped to 43 following the catastrophic floods that hit the Texas Hill Country as of Saturday evening, local officials announced during a news conference.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
At least 59 people were killed by the flooding in Kerr County. Eleven deaths were confirmed in surrounding counties, pushing the overall toll to at least 70.
That surpasses the estimated 68 deaths directly caused by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas in 2017.
That surpasses the estimated 68 deaths directly caused by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas in 2017.
Hill Country flooding death toll rises to at least 70 as search continues for missing girls, other survivors
Eleven girls from the Camp Mystic summer camp remain missing.
www.texastribune.org
July 6, 2025 at 6:40 PM
At least 59 people were killed by the flooding in Kerr County. Eleven deaths were confirmed in surrounding counties, pushing the overall toll to at least 70.
That surpasses the estimated 68 deaths directly caused by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas in 2017.
That surpasses the estimated 68 deaths directly caused by Hurricane Harvey in southeast Texas in 2017.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
After Texas failed to pass a bill to improve flood warning systems, a Kerr County lawmaker says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which aimed to establish a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure.
bit.ly/44xMjyr
bit.ly/44xMjyr
Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local flood warning systems this year
A GOP state lawmaker who represents Kerr County says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communicati...
bit.ly
July 6, 2025 at 11:07 PM
After Texas failed to pass a bill to improve flood warning systems, a Kerr County lawmaker says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which aimed to establish a grant program for counties to build new emergency communication infrastructure.
bit.ly/44xMjyr
bit.ly/44xMjyr
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local flood warning systems this year www.texastribune.org/2025/07/06/t... via @texastribune.org
Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local flood warning systems this year
A GOP state lawmaker who represents Kerr County says he likely would vote differently now on House Bill 13, which would have established a grant program for counties to build new emergency communicati...
www.texastribune.org
July 7, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill to improve local flood warning systems this year www.texastribune.org/2025/07/06/t... via @texastribune.org
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
Breaking: Camp Mystic confirmed Monday it is “grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors” following the devastating floods in Texas over the weekend.
Camp Mystic says it’s “grieving the loss” of 27 counselors and campers
On its website Monday morning, the all-girls camp said “our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.”
www.texastribune.org
July 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Breaking: Camp Mystic confirmed Monday it is “grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors” following the devastating floods in Texas over the weekend.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
Camp Mystic says it’s “grieving the loss” of 27 campers and counselors www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/t... via @texastribune.org
Camp Mystic says it’s “grieving the loss” of 27 campers and counselors
On its website Monday morning, the all-girls camp said “our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy.”
www.texastribune.org
July 7, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Camp Mystic says it’s “grieving the loss” of 27 campers and counselors www.texastribune.org/2025/07/07/t... via @texastribune.org
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
If you're looking to help those impacted by the Hill County flooding, we've written up a guide on how to help and get help. @texastribune.org.
Hill Country flooding: Here’s how to give and receive help
Catastrophic flooding in the Texas Hill Country has killed 70 people. Rescue crews are searching for missing girls from Camp Mystic. Here is a guide on how to help those affected.
www.texastribune.org
July 6, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If you're looking to help those impacted by the Hill County flooding, we've written up a guide on how to help and get help. @texastribune.org.
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
There have been claims that NOAA/NWS did not foresee catastrophic TX floods--but that's simply not true. This was undoubtedly an extreme event, but messaging rapidly escalated beginning ~12 hrs prior. Flood Watch mid PM, "heads up" outlook late PM, flash flood warnings ~1am.
WPC issued as many as six MPDs for the deadly flash flooding in the TX Hill Country starting yesterday evening and lasting through much of today. The first MPD generally set the stage for what was to come, while the next three shown were as the event unfolded.
July 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
There have been claims that NOAA/NWS did not foresee catastrophic TX floods--but that's simply not true. This was undoubtedly an extreme event, but messaging rapidly escalated beginning ~12 hrs prior. Flood Watch mid PM, "heads up" outlook late PM, flash flood warnings ~1am.
Houston’s NWS office has lost its head meteorologist and has 11 vacancies. The shortages stem from federal cuts that slashed roughly 10% of NOAA’s staff.
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Staff vacancies hit Texas weather offices as they brace for a busy hurricane season
Houston’s National Weather Service office has lost its head meteorologist amid a federal requirement to cut 10% of NOAA’s staff.
www.texastribune.org
June 16, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Houston’s NWS office has lost its head meteorologist and has 11 vacancies. The shortages stem from federal cuts that slashed roughly 10% of NOAA’s staff.
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Here's what these vaccines mean for Texans as they brace for a busy hurricane season. @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/09/t...
Lawmakers dedicated $7.5 million for groundwater data and research, approved a bill that targets water loss and enhances conservation, and prohibited HOAs from penalizing Texans for not watering their grass during a drought. #txlege For @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/12/w...
A $20 billion effort to avoid calamity: Here’s what Texas lawmakers did to save the state’s water supply
Among other changes is a new law that says homeowner associations can no longer fine Texans for not watering their grass during a drought.
www.texastribune.org
June 16, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Lawmakers dedicated $7.5 million for groundwater data and research, approved a bill that targets water loss and enhances conservation, and prohibited HOAs from penalizing Texans for not watering their grass during a drought. #txlege For @texastribune.org www.texastribune.org/2025/06/12/w...
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
That's a wrap for #AWJ2025! After talking about food security in a changing climate and planting trees in the silvopasture at URI's Peckham Farm Friday, it was only fitting to round out the week with a reminder that food is also joy, with an enlightening cooking demonstration by Silvermoon LaRose. 🌱
June 16, 2025 at 1:44 PM
That's a wrap for #AWJ2025! After talking about food security in a changing climate and planting trees in the silvopasture at URI's Peckham Farm Friday, it was only fitting to round out the week with a reminder that food is also joy, with an enlightening cooking demonstration by Silvermoon LaRose. 🌱
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
The #AWJ2025 fellows rolled up their sleeves and put on waders to learn about bivalves at Roger Williams University! They got to witness the three phases of shellfish aquaculture at the CEED lab and on the water, along with learning about the impacts of climate change on the shellfish economy. 🦪🌊
June 13, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The #AWJ2025 fellows rolled up their sleeves and put on waders to learn about bivalves at Roger Williams University! They got to witness the three phases of shellfish aquaculture at the CEED lab and on the water, along with learning about the impacts of climate change on the shellfish economy. 🦪🌊
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
From touring the Sankofa gardens and market and learning about soil remediation to discussing community in journalism and science over a delicious meal by Sina's Kitchen and Catering, yesterday's #AWJ2025 immersion let fellows experience local food systems in action, right in Providence. 🌱🍲
June 12, 2025 at 3:05 PM
From touring the Sankofa gardens and market and learning about soil remediation to discussing community in journalism and science over a delicious meal by Sina's Kitchen and Catering, yesterday's #AWJ2025 immersion let fellows experience local food systems in action, right in Providence. 🌱🍲
Reposted by Alejandra Martinez
Data centers are building their own gas power plants in Texas.
Not long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar energy. Now they’re bypassing the grid and building their own gas-fired power plants on site.
Not long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar energy. Now they’re bypassing the grid and building their own gas-fired power plants on site.
Data centers are building their own gas power plants in Texas
Not long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar energy. Now they’re bypassing the grid and building their own gas-fired power plants on site.
www.texastribune.org
June 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Data centers are building their own gas power plants in Texas.
Not long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar energy. Now they’re bypassing the grid and building their own gas-fired power plants on site.
Not long ago, developers of the massive server farms talked about powering them with wind and solar energy. Now they’re bypassing the grid and building their own gas-fired power plants on site.