Shawn Ryan Show - Episode #217: Augustus Dorico - Did Cloud Seeding Cause the Texas Floods?

Release Date: July 11, 2025

In Episode #217 of the "Shawn Ryan Show," host Shawn Ryan engages in a compelling discussion with Augustus Dorico, the Founder and CEO of Rainmaker, a next-generation cloud seeding company. The episode delves into the tragic Texas floods, exploring the controversial topic of whether cloud seeding contributed to the disaster. Through a candid and respectful dialogue, the conversation covers various facets of cloud seeding, regulatory concerns, public perception, and global implications.

1. Acknowledging the Texas Tragedy

The episode opens with Shawn Ryan acknowledging the devastating floods in Texas, emphasizing the human cost and the heroic efforts of first responders.

Shawn Ryan [00:14]: "Killed at least 120 people and left at least 176 missing. Notably 27 girls and one counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp, were killed."

Shawn expresses his commitment to supporting the victims by donating to the relief efforts through the Community Foundation of Texas Hill Country.

2. Understanding the Severity of the Floods

Shawn provides detailed statistics about the floods, highlighting the unprecedented rainfall and the rapid rise of the Guadalupe River.

• Rainfall: 5 to 11 inches fell within a few hours.
• River Rise: Guadalupe River surged 26 to 29 feet in some areas within 45 minutes.
• Historical Context: The floods are among the deadliest in the US in a century, with previous historic floods occurring in 1987, 1998, and 2015.

He also underscores the heroic actions taken during the disaster, including over 850 rescues by first responders and everyday Americans.

Shawn Ryan [04:01]: "It's good to see how many Americans step up... we live in a very divisive society now, and it's good to see people step up in their community and come together to help those in need in these tragic events."

3. Augustus Dorico's Role and Cloud Seeding Operations

Augustus Dorico explains his presence in Texas two days before the flood, detailing the nature of his company's cloud seeding activities.

Augustus Dorico [04:05]: "For those that haven't heard before about what cloud seeding is in no uncertain terms, I run a cloud seeding company. We make a little bit more rain and snow for farms or for reservoirs or for aquifers when they're dealing with drought."

He clarifies that due to the flooding, Rainmaker has suspended operations indefinitely until relief efforts conclude.

4. Demystifying Cloud Seeding

Augustus provides an in-depth explanation of cloud seeding, addressing common misconceptions and its intended purposes.

Augustus Dorico [04:14]: "Cloud seeding is not long streaks in the sky. It's not trying to dim out the sun. It's certainly not creating hurricanes."

He elaborates on the technical aspects:

• Mechanism: Dispersing materials like silver iodide into clouds to induce precipitation.
• Volume: Cloud seeding operations produce significantly less precipitation compared to natural storms. The best operations yield tens of millions of gallons, whereas the Texas flood released trillions of gallons.

Augustus Dorico [27:49]: "The best cloud seeding operations that have occurred to date have produced tens of millions of gallons. That storm produced like 4 trillion gallons of precipitation."

5. Debunking the Connection Between Cloud Seeding and the Floods

Addressing the accusations linking cloud seeding to the Texas floods, Augustus systematically dismantles the claims with scientific reasoning and evidence.

Augustus Dorico [07:18]: "When we seed into clouds and there's subsequent precipitation, the material that you disperse gets precipitated out with the rain."

He emphasizes the minimal amount of silver iodide used and its dissipation due to wind patterns, rendering any significant impact on the storm impossible.

Augustus Dorico [24:25]: "We dispersed 70 grams of silver iodide... it's de minimis relative to all these other things we're exposed to on a daily basis."

6. Addressing Public Concerns and Misinformation

Shawn brings up recent claims made by whistleblowers and media personalities suggesting malicious weather modification.

Shawn Ryan [15:54]: "Jeremy, can you roll that real quick?... what do you think she's talking about with this whistleblower?"

Augustus differentiates between weather modification and geoengineering, clarifying the scale and intentions behind cloud seeding.

Augustus Dorico [15:54]: "Geoengineering is a global climate intervention... weather modification is local in both time and space."

He responds to conspiracy theories by asserting the lack of evidence linking Rainmaker to the floods and condemning attempts to scapegoat his company.

Augustus Dorico [19:04]: "People have come out and knowingly posted false information... They have done so either for Elon Bucks on X or just to rally political support."

7. Regulatory Framework and the Need for Transparency

The conversation shifts to the regulatory aspects of cloud seeding, emphasizing the necessity for stringent oversight and transparency to build public trust.

Augustus Dorico [24:44]: "The funding for our cloud seeding operations come from these counties and farms that we work with. The Federal government spent $2.4 million on cloud seeding research last year..."

He advocates for radical transparency and increased regulation to prevent malicious use of weather modification technologies.

Augustus Dorico [35:56]: "But like, I think that is 100% proof unto itself..."

8. Global Perspectives: China's Weather Modification Program

Augustus highlights China's substantial investment in weather modification, raising concerns about its global implications and potential misuse.

Augustus Dorico [24:24]: "China is investing $1.4 billion into their weather modification program... They have two universities that offer bachelor's degrees in weather engineering."

He points out the historical use of cloud seeding as a weapon during the Vietnam War and the existing international treaties aimed at preventing such misuse.

9. Building Public Trust Through Documentation and Openness

Shawn suggests that Augustus and Rainmaker adopt more transparent practices to alleviate public distrust.

Shawn Ryan [38:51]: "Document every single time you do this... build these case studies and documenting every single thing you're doing..."

Augustus responds by noting that regulatory requirements already necessitate public reporting but agrees to enhance the accessibility of these reports.

Augustus Dorico [41:04]: "We already have to do that in order to be permitted to operate in these states... We cannot do real-time reporting because of the numerous death threats."

10. Conclusions and Reflections

In the closing segments, Augustus reflects on the challenges posed by misinformation and the importance of community resilience.

Augustus Dorico [31:54]: "Despite all of our attempts to save money federally and cut the budget... we clearly need better forecasting capabilities."

He expresses a conflicted sense of hope, citing both the support received and the persistent efforts to discredit his work.

11. Leading a Prayer for the Texas Community

In a heartfelt moment, Augustus leads a prayer for the families affected by the Texas floods, emphasizing solidarity and divine support.

Augustus Dorico [47:47]: "Heavenly Father. We're praying for the families in Texas... for all of those people in government that have tried to help... In Jesus name we pray. Amen."

12. Final Remarks

Shawn Ryan concludes the episode by reiterating the importance of supporting the flood victims and encouraging donations to aid in the relief efforts.

Shawn Ryan [49:25]: "Donation link to help the families and the tragedy that's happened down there. Links in the description."

Key Takeaways

• Cloud Seeding Misconceptions: Cloud seeding is often misunderstood, with many believing it can control or create large-scale weather events like hurricanes or floods. In reality, its impact is localized and minimal compared to natural weather phenomena.

• Regulatory Oversight: Cloud seeding operations are regulated by state authorities, requiring permits and adherence to strict operational guidelines to prevent unintended consequences.

• Public Trust and Transparency: Building trust with the public necessitates transparency, rigorous documentation, and open communication to dispel myths and address concerns.

• Global Implications: Significant investments by countries like China in weather modification raise questions about international regulations and the potential for misuse of such technologies.

• Community Resilience: Despite divisiveness, tragedies like the Texas floods highlight the resilience and solidarity within communities, underscoring the importance of collective action and support.

Notable Quotes

• Shawn Ryan [04:01]: "It's good to see how many Americans step up... we live in a very divisive society now, and it's good to see people step up in their community and come together to help those in need in these tragic events."

• Augustus Dorico [04:05]: "Cloud seeding is not long streaks in the sky. It's not trying to dim out the sun. It's certainly not creating hurricanes."

• Augustus Dorico [24:25]: "We dispersed 70 grams of silver iodide... it's de minimis relative to all these other things we're exposed to on a daily basis."

• Augustus Dorico [15:54]: "Geoengineering is a global climate intervention... weather modification is local in both time and space."

• Augustus Dorico [47:47]: "Heavenly Father. We're praying for the families in Texas... for all of those people in government that have tried to help... In Jesus name we pray. Amen."

Conclusion

This episode of the "Shawn Ryan Show" provides a thorough examination of the role of cloud seeding in the context of the devastating Texas floods. Augustus Dorico presents a well-structured defense of his company's practices, addressing public concerns, debunking misconceptions, and advocating for increased transparency and regulatory oversight. The dialogue serves as an informative resource for listeners seeking to understand the complexities of weather modification technologies and their real-world implications.