Two massive disasters this year — the Texas floods and Los Angeles firestorms — are leading some to grapple with the question of how to get officials and the public to care and take action.

Laredo is no longer under a flood warning, but the Rio Grande continues to rise after days of upstream rain, according to the National Weather Service.

When the National Weather Service Office issues a flood watch, or a flash flood watch, the forecast has the potential for rainfall of one inch per hour or repeatedly over a span of a few or many hours. These locations indicated by the watch should be aware of their locations and surroundings regarding the flooding potential.

A flash flood warning was in effect in New York City until 9:45 p.m., and New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy declared a state of emergency. Middlesex, Morris and Somerset counties remained under a flood warning until 7:15 a.m. Tuesday.

On Friday, 17 million people are under flood alerts across the Gulf Coast and in the mid-Atlantic, and 19 million are under heat alerts across the mid-Atlantic, southern Florida and Mississippi Valley.

HUNT, Texas - Family members now say they don’t believe the director of Camp Mystic received an urgent weather warning the morning of the Hill Country flood.A s

Flood warnings have also been issued along the Frio River, which is "forecast to reach major flood stage" on July 14

Flood advisory vs. flood warning The National Weather Service also has some other water-related alerts at its disposal, including flood advisories, flood warnings and areal flood warnings.

A flash flood warning was downgraded Thursday morning to a flood warning for Santa Clara, San Mateo and Santa Cruz counties, according to the National Weather Service.

What should you do during a tornado warning? When a warning is issued, it means there is imminent danger to life and property. Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.