Webinar Introduction

We are pleased to invite you to an insightful webinar focused on the devastating flash flooding event that began on the morning of July 4, 2025, in Texas—an incident that left a deep and lasting impact on the region and beyond.

In July 2025, the Texas Hill Country, particularly Kerr County, experienced catastrophic and deadly flooding. The disaster unfolded rapidly as the Guadalupe River surged, inundating communities with little warning. By July 19, at least 136 fatalities had been confirmed, with a staggering 108 of those in Kerr County alone. The flooding was triggered by a mesoscale convective vortex interacting with enhanced tropical moisture—originating from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, a short-lived Atlantic cyclone, and lingering moisture from the eastern Pacific—which resulted in intense and prolonged rainfall across the region.

The economic consequences of this tragic event have been severe, impacting local economies, disrupting transportation, and crippling critical services. Recovery efforts have revealed vulnerabilities in emergency response systems and exposed gaps in community preparedness and infrastructure resilience.
This tragedy has prompted urgent discussions about the growing frequency and intensity of flash floods linked to climate change. As global temperatures rise, such rapid and destructive flooding events are expected to become more common, underscoring the need for enhanced flood risk management, climate-adaptive infrastructure, and more effective early warning systems.

Despite the immense challenges, the resilience, solidarity, and proactive response of affected communities and emergency personnel have been truly inspiring. These efforts highlight the essential role of preparedness, community engagement, and collaborative planning in building resilience against future flood risks.

Why Attend?

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamics and impacts of flash floods, with a focus on the Texas event.
• Explore innovative strategies and technologies for flood risk forecasting, preparedness, and emergency response.
• Learn about the vital role of policy, urban planning, and community initiatives in strengthening resilience to flash floods.
• Engage with leading experts to discuss best practices and forward-thinking solutions for mitigating flash flood impacts.

Join us to deepen your knowledge and contribute to the critical dialogue on building more resilient communities equipped to manage the growing risks of flash flooding.

 

Webinar Programme

Introduction

Prof. Slobodan P. Simonovic
ICFM Chairperson, Professor Emeritus, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of Engineering Works, Institute for Catastrophic Loss Reduction, Western University, London, Canada

Presenters

• Brandon Katz
  Executive Vice President, Strategy
  KatRisk LLC

  Topic: The Texas Floods of July 2025: What We Know, When We Knew It

• Robin Bourke, P.Eng. (NT/NU)
  Senior Engineering Advisor
  Manager, Data Science and Engineering Team, Resilience and Economic Integration Division, Policy and Outreach Directorate, Emergency Management and Programs Branch, Public Safety Canada
  

  Topic: Flash Flooding in Canada: an Emergency Management Perspective

Webinar moderator

Prof. Cheng Zhang
Direcor of the ICFM Permanent Secretariat. The CDPR Administration Office, Research Center on Flood and Drought Disaster Reduction, MWR.