A majority of Americans anticipate extreme weather is going to become more frequent in the future, according to a recent USA Today/Ipsos poll.

Why it matters: The poll found that a third of Americans say they've personally experienced an extreme weather event in the past month, an occurrence that scientists predict will increase in a warming climate.

• The poll was conducted last month, before devastating Texas floods killed over 100 people.
• Data in the poll revealed a significant partisan split on climate change, with Democrats (84%) more likely than Republicans (38%) to say extreme weather has gotten worse.

What they're saying: Friederike Otto, a spokesperson for the climate scientist group World Weather Attribution, tells Axios it was unlikely to study the Texas floods but there's enough scientific evidence to connect the heavy rainfall to climate change.

• "We don't need to wait for an attribution study — extreme downpours like these are exactly what science expects in a rapidly warming world," Otto says.

By the numbers: Extreme weather events cost the U.S. economy an estimated $179.8 billion to $496 billion per year in 2023 dollars, according to a 2024 report from the Senate Joint Economic Committee.

• The analysis found that the U.S. needed to invest between $69 billion to $345 billion to upgrade infrastructure to protect against flooding.

The bottom line: "You may or may not have personally experienced where you live an extreme weather event recently, but you sure paid for one that happened somewhere else in that window," says Daniel Swain, a climate scientist at the University of California's water resources institute.

The fine print: The poll surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,023 adults age 18 or older, including 281 Republicans, 307 Democrats and 321 independents. The margin of error was ±3.2 percentage points at the 95% confidence level.

National Weather Service offices have issued a record number of year-to-date flash flood warnings in 2025 as storms have brought devastating and deadly rainfall to Texas, New Mexico, the Northeast and elsewhere.

Why it matters: The numbers reflect the recent above-average rainfall we've had in parts of the country, with some slow-moving storms dropping lots of water relatively quickly.

• Along with factors like topography, geology and drought, that can lead to major and sometimes fatal flash flooding events — as happened over the July 4 weekend in the Hill Country.

By the numbers: NWS offices issued 3,471 flash flood warnings nationwide this year through July 22, according to a tracker at Iowa State University's Iowa Environmental Mesonet.

• That's the most for that period in any year since records began in 1986.
• Flash flood warnings are issued when such an event is imminent or already occurring.

Zoom in: There have been 93 flash flood warnings issued by the Austin/San Antonio weather forecast office so far this year. There were 7 such warnings last year.

What they're saying: "2025 has been the year of the flood," meteorologist Michael Lowry writes.

What's next: Expect more typical hot and sunny summer weather the rest of this week.

🏛️ The state's director of emergency management told a panel of state lawmakers that better coordination between local and state emergency officials was needed during the July 4 flash floods. (Houston Chronicle)

🚗 Tesla said yesterday that it has begun production of "a more affordable model." (Axios)

✈️ JetBlue will relaunch a twice-daily nonstop route between Austin and Fort Lauderdale starting in November. (KXAN)

Two people — a man and a girl from Camp Mystic — are still missing after the July 4 floods. (Austin American-Statesman)

Here's what's on deck this weekend.

Friday

🎄 Celebrate Christmas in July with tiki drinks, photos with Santa and a gift exchange at Zilker Brewing starting at 11am. Free entry.

🎭 Watch a free production of "Bring It On: The Musical" at Zilker Hillside Theater, with shows Thursday through Sunday at 8:15pm each night.

• Donations are encouraged.

🦈 Watch "Jaws" at Desert Door's movie night at its private event space, The Rackhouse, and try out a new frozen cocktail from the bar. 6pm.

Saturday

🎨 Get free entry to the Jones Center all weekend as part of the museum's free week.

🇯🇵 Check out a Japanese food festival from New York-based Japan Fes, with food from vendors like Little Nishi, Wagyu Clubs and Asahi Imports at the Federal Courthouse Plaza. 5-10pm, free.

Sunday

🎸 Round out your weekend with singer Chris Isaak at The Paramount Theatre. 6pm, tickets start at $45.

Texas' two main food groups — tacos and barbecue — are facing off in the final round of our food bracket to determine the Lone Star State's most iconic food.

Why it matters: These two heavyweights have cruised through the early rounds, easily dispatching other Texas favorites like fajitas and tamales.

What's next: Vote in round four to determine our state's top food.