Texas Physicians for Social Responsibility (TxPSR) joins communities across our state in mourning the tragic loss of life and profound suffering caused by the devastating floods that have recently impacted large parts of Texas. Our hearts are with the families who have lost loved ones, those who have been displaced, and all who are grappling with the physical and emotional toll of this disaster.

As physicians and health professionals, we witness firsthand the human impacts of extreme weather events such as injuries, illnesses, mental health trauma, disruption of essential services, and the disproportionate burden borne by vulnerable populations. These floods are not isolated incidents; they are part of a troubling pattern of increasingly frequent and severe extreme weather driven by changes to Earth’s systems.

Since the Earth’s atmosphere can now hold approximately 4% more moisture for every 1 °F of warming, global warming increases the overall risk of heavy rain events and flash-floods. In Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas, extreme precipitation days have increased 21% since the 1950s. In the areas inundated by the July 2025 floods, scientists estimate that conditions are now approximately 7% wetter than historic norms, likely driven by Earth’s warming conditions.

The human toll of these extreme weather events n the US is just as impactful. Over the last ten years (2015-2024), billion-dollar disasters have resulted in more than 6,300 premature deaths. In In 2024 alone, there were 27 individual extreme weather disasters with at least $1 billion in damages, trailing only the record-setting 28 events analyzed in 2023. Texas leads the nation in the number of billion-dollar natural disasters, accounting for approximately 15% of all such events since 1980. This underscores not only the frequency of devastation but also the urgent need for comprehensive climate adaptation and public health preparedness in the state.

We cannot continue treating these disasters as mere acts of nature. They are a wakeup call to action.

TxPSR urgently calls on federal, state, regional, and local governments to:

• Invest in resilient infrastructure to reduce flooding risks, protect public health, and ensure rapid recovery for affected communities.
• Support climate adaptation and mitigation strategies, including sustainable urban planning, nature-based solutions, and equitable disaster response efforts that prioritize the most at-risk populations.
• Promote policies to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to help stabilize our climate and limit future harm.
• Acknowledge the connection between human activity and extreme weather events like flooding, droughts, heat waves, and hurricanes, and integrate this science into public policy and emergency preparedness.
• Center communities as essential partners in climate planning and response. Residents long warned of flood risks but were ignored. Those most affected by extreme weather must be engaged early and meaningfully. Lived experience is critical to designing and implementing effective, equitable policies and solutions.

The health and safety of present and future Texans depend on this decisive action. We must prepare for the reality of a changing climate and work collectively to protect our communities from future tragedies.

TxPSR remains committed to advocating for climate solutions grounded in science, justice, and compassion. We stand ready to partner with policymakers, health professionals, and community leaders to build a healthier, safer, and more resilient Texas.