Claim About Cloud Seeding and Texas Flooding Debunked
In July 2025, severe flooding struck central Texas over the Fourth of July weekend, claiming over 100 lives and leaving others missing. The devastating weather event prompted social media speculation that Rainmaker Technology Corporation’s cloud seeding operations were to blame for the disaster. However, evidence and expert opinions contradict these claims.
Facts About Rainmaker’s Cloud Seeding Operation
Rainmaker Technology Corporation did conduct a cloud seeding mission on July 2, 2025, over the eastern part of south-central Texas. The company’s CEO, Augustus Doricko, confirmed this in a social media post. However, he emphasized that the operation was not conducted in the affected area on July 3 or 4, and therefore, did not contribute to the subsequent flooding.
Expert Opinions on Cloud Seeding and Flooding
Meteorologists Travis Herzog and Jeremy Baker provided insights into the matter. Herzog explained that cloud seeding cannot create storms or clouds; it can only enhance rainfall from existing clouds by up to 20%. Baker concurred, stating that cloud seeding could not have caused the powerful storms that led to the flooding. The actual cause was attributed to a natural atmospheric low pressure system that stalled over the region, exacerbated by the terrain and tributaries feeding into the Guadalupe River.
Background on Cloud Seeding and Weather Modification
Cloud seeding is a decades-old weather modification technique that involves adding substances like silver iodide to clouds to enhance precipitation or suppress hail. The U.S. Government Accountability Office described it as a method used by private companies, particularly to generate snow in mountainous regions or replenish water reservoirs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) clarified that it does not modify the weather or fund cloud seeding activities, though it requires companies to report their weather modification activities.
Conclusion
The claim that Rainmaker Technology Corporation’s cloud seeding caused the deadly flooding in Texas in 2025 is rated false. While the company did conduct cloud seeding on July 2, 2025, expert testimony and evidence indicate that it was not responsible for the subsequent flooding. The actual cause was attributed to natural weather phenomena, including the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry and upper-level moisture from a Pacific hurricane.
