Our department is honored to have Dr. Feifei Pan, professor of geography and environmental science at the University of North Texas, recently featured on CBS News Texas to provide expert analysis on the devastating flash floods that impacted Kerr County over the July 4 holiday.

In the televised segment, Dr. Pan discussed how underlying soil conditions played a critical role in the extent and speed of the flooding. While heavy rainfall was a major factor, Dr. Pan explained that the thin, drought-hardened soils common in the Hill Country led to extreme runoff and infiltration issues, making the situation significantly more dangerous.

“The clay soil can become very dry—like concrete. You cannot have water infiltrate. So if you have dry soil, especially on the top, you basically seal the topsoil,” Dr. Pan noted in the interview.

This condition contributes to what’s known as infiltration-excess runoff, a process where the ground cannot absorb water quickly enough, causing heavy rainfall to run off the surface rather than soaking into the soil. In areas like the Texas Hill Country, where prolonged dry spells harden the ground, even moderate rainfall can lead to rapid and dangerous flooding.

Dr. Pan’s insight helped contextualize the flooding not just as a weather event, but as the result of broader environmental conditions that highlight the importance of soil science and hydrology in disaster preparedness. Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this tragic event. We are grateful Dr. Pan could share his expertise to help deepen understanding of these natural disasters and inform future preparedness.

📰 Watch the full CBS News segment here: CBS News Texas – Experts say soil played key role in Kerr County floods