What civil engineers are reading this week

• What to do when tragedy strikes? Texas flooding tests engineers’ knowledge

  Many civil engineers who spend their lives trying to protect the public from calamities such as what is unfolding are now working to help at the scene, as others ponder how to prevent future incidents.

• Live updates: With more than 173 still missing in Texas, hopes fade as desperate search continues

  The scope of the flooding tragedy continues to widen, with authorities confirming at least 111 deaths across six counties, including 57 adults and 30 children in Kerr County.

• Satellite photos show before and after Texas flooding

  Satellite images are providing a clearer picture of the devastation brought by the deadly flooding in Central Texas.

• Can the federal gas tax keep up with electric vehicles?

  A proposed EV tax was nixed from the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” meaning the vehicles still won’t contribute to roadway infrastructure projects. And with the gas tax frozen since 1993, the Highway Trust Fund faces headwinds.

• Researchers develop new membrane technology to extract lithium from water

  Most lithium, which is ideal for electric vehicles, cellphones, and laptops, comes from hard-rock mining and salt lakes in just a few countries, leaving supply chains vulnerable.

• Hidden toxins found in 90% of US preschoolers

  A sweeping study tested the urine of 200 toddlers and found a startling mix of 96 chemicals – some of which aren’t even tracked by government health surveys.