Along a similar vein, conspiracy theories maligning Doppler weather radars as “weather weapons” have heightened in the wake of flash floods in central Texas. Forecasters use the radar system to detect precipitation, and now have to worry about vigilantes vandalizing them at times when people rely on those forecasts to stay safe.

First reported by the Houston Chronicle, cloud seeding involves releasing silver iodide into clouds to increase rainfall under specific conditions. According to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, it is used in select areas of West and South Texas, typically during dry seasons to enhance precipitation.

Augustus Doricko knew when he founded a cloud-seeding startup in 2023 that he’d have to contend with misunderstandings and conspiracy theories surrounding the technology. Still, he wasn’t quite