Cloud Seeding and Texas Floods: What Really Happened?

🌧️ Cloud-Seeding Startup Blamed for Texas Floods Sparks Online Conspiracy

Augustus Doricko, founder of the cloud-seeding startup Rainmaker, is facing widespread social media backlash and conspiracy theories following catastrophic floods in Kerr County, Texas, that killed over 100 people and left nearly twice as many missing. Influencing figures including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Michael Flynn fueled suspicion by suggesting that cloud-seeding might have triggered the disaster.

☔ What Is Cloud Seeding—and Why It Couldn’t Cause Disaster

Cloud seeding involves spraying silver iodide dust into clouds from aircraft to trigger rain or snow. Experts stress the technology is limited and localized—far too small to cause a storm delivering 15 inches of rain.

“Storm energy vastly exceeds anything we can influence with cloud seeding,” said atmospheric scientist Bob Rauber.
Cloud-seeding can only produce minor precipitation—small increases in rain or snow—usually measured in millimeters.

📅 Timeline: Rainmaker’s Mission vs. Texas Storm

• On July 2, Rainmaker flew a 20-minute cloud-seeding mission over Runge, Texas, dispersing 70 grams of silver iodide.

• The operation produced under 0.5 cm of drizzle—insufficient to alter weather patterns.

• By July 4, remnants of Tropical Storm Barry unleashed over 15 inches of rain in Kerr County.

• Though Rainmaker halted bystanders’ operations before the storm reached the area, conspiracy theories arose due to the timing coincidence.

🔥 Conspiracies Spread—Despite No Evidence

Social media channels lit up:

• Verified users on X demanded accountability after posting Rainmaker’s company registration.

• Public figures voiced alarm:

  Flynn asked for a “response” after garnering over a million views.
  Greene proposed criminalizing weather modification—her post drew 18 million views.

Influencers juxtaposed footage of the flood devastation with Rainmaker interviews, fueling sensationalism—but none provided scientific basis.

🧪 Why Blame Cloud Seeding? Understanding the Narrative

Conspiracy appeal is tied to:

• A pattern of fear around geoengineering and “chemtrails.”

• Erosion of trust in mainstream science and media.

• Desire for simple explanations when natural disasters occur.

These theories reflect a broader trend of attributing complex events to human manipulation rather than natural causes.

📊 Global Use of Cloud Seeding: That Doesn’t Equal Extreme Weather

• Over 39 countries run cloud-seeding programs—China has invested $2 billion since 2014.

• In the U.S., Western states facing drought spend millions annually, especially states like Utah.

• A controlled radar-based experiment in Idaho triggered measurable snow, showing that cloud seeding offers incremental moisture gains—primarily for reservoir recharge.

🧠 Career Insights: Founder’s Perspective and Future Challenges

Doricko shared:

• Rainmaker has raised $31 million in venture capital and employs 58 people.

• Social media scrutiny has increased public interest in cloud seeding.

• He emphasized the need for regulation, transparency, and oversight to rebuild trust.

While aware of concerns, he refutes blame for the natural disaster and continues to advocate scientific discussion.

✅ Expert Advice: When to Avoid Cloud-Seeding Operations

Experts advise caution:

• Avoid seeding during incoming severe weather to prevent perception issues.

• Recognize cloud seeding’s modest impact—it can’t affect intensity of major storms.

• Prioritize public awareness and clear communication to preempt misinformation.

📌 Article Summary

• Event: Rainmaker’s cloud-seeding flight on July 2 had minimal impact.

• Storm: Tropical Storm Barry struck independently, causing major flooding by July 4.

• Claims: Technologists and public figures misattributed human agency to a natural disaster.

• Reality: Cloud seeding yields minor increases—not catastrophic rainfall.

• Need: Trust-building through transparency and clear public education.

⚠️ Even though cloud-seeding technology can offer modest rainfall benefits, it cannot cause mass flooding like Texas suffered. Misplaced blame shows how quickly conspiracy theories spread in the digital age, especially during extreme weather events.