In the early hours of Independence Day, rain pelted sleeping communities in central Texas. No one knew yet how devastating the storm would become.

Nearly a week after deadly floods struck Central Texas, search and rescue teams are continuing to probe debris for those still missing.

The intense rainfall and flash floods are the deadliest weather disaster in the US since President Donald Trump's administration conducted mass staff cuts at two key weather and climate agencies : the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Organisation (NOAA) and its subsidiary, the National Weather Service (NWS).

Scattered storms are possible across Central and South Texas on Wednesday, but chances will decrease significantly Thursday and Friday.

The risk of heavy rainfall and severe weather is expected to return to the Lone Star State over the weekend, but it will mostly spare the areas recently devastated by deadly flooding.

Climate change is making severe storms worse, heightening the need for the development of advanced forecasting models, but severe storm research is on the chopping block.

After the deadly flooding in Texas, there are questions about the weather forecasts and warning systems meant to save lives. Deema Zein spoke with meteorologist Matthew Cappucci of MyRadar.com about the origins of the storm and why it dumped so much water on the region.

Thunderstorms and moisture from the Gulf were among the ingredients that led to catastrophic weather and flooding in the Hill Country.

Flooding is the deadliest natural disaster facing Oklahomans, a threat far greater than tornadoes. In the United States, flooding kills an average of 103 people a year. Tornadoes, however, caused 48 deaths on average during the same period, according to the National Weather Service.

A small Texas town that recorded no deaths in last weekend’s flood disaster had recently upgraded its emergency alert system — the kind of setup state, county and federal officials

HOUSTON — After a stormy Tuesday evening that brought isolated flooding and lightning across Southeast Texas, more rain and storms are expected to return on Wednesday, with widespread impacts likely during the afternoon commute.