Inquiry initiated by Texas lawmakers following deadly Hill Country floods
In the aftermath of the devastating floods that swept through Texas on July 4, 2025, authorities have begun releasing records and audio, including 911 calls, providing new insights into the escalating danger and chaos during the floods.
One such 911 call, released by Kendall County, captures a panicked woman expressing concern for a young relative stranded at a church camp in Kerr County due to high waters.
The floods claimed at least 136 lives, most of them in Kerr County. The county, located along the Guadalupe River, had no warning system in place, as Kerr County does not have a warning system along the river. This lack of warning, coupled with the delayed response from county officials, has raised serious questions about the county's preparedness and response.
During the critical early hours of the floods, Kerr County officials, including the emergency management coordinator and the county sheriff, were asleep and not immediately responsive. County Judge Rob Kelly, who oversees emergency management, was out of town and unaware of the unfolding disaster. The emergency management director, William "Dub" Thomas, was home sick and asleep, only waking around 5:30 a.m. after being alerted by a call from the city. By that time, floodwaters had already severely impacted the area, including summer camps along the Guadalupe River.
The apparent unavailability and delayed action of these officials despite prior flood warnings issued on July 3 have drawn criticism from lawmakers and observers. State Sen. Ann Johnson highlighted that the officials "were effectively unavailable" when the alarm needed to be sounded.
Additionally, Kerr County reportedly operated under a generic, five-year-old emergency management plan, portions of which were not followed during the flood. This has prompted concerns about adherence to emergency protocols and overall disaster preparedness at the local level.
Texas' chief emergency management official called for better accreditation for county response officials at the first hearing by Texas lawmakers. Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, who added flood relief and disaster preparedness to the agenda items during the 30-day legislative special session, also emphasised the need for improvement.
In response to the criticism, Kerr County officials have denied requests for 911 calls and body-camera footage related to the floods made by The Associated Press.
However, local leaders and residents will testify at the hearing, providing firsthand accounts of the disaster and the county's response. Lawmakers have filed bills to provide funding for early warning systems, improve emergency communications, and strengthen flood infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
Party leaders have said they will not engage in other legislative business until the legislature addresses flood relief. The hearing in Kerr County is the first visit by a panel of lawmakers to the affected Texas Hill Country since the floods.
Meanwhile, Governor Abbott also included redrawing the state's maps after receiving pressure from President Donald Trump. The hearing serves as a crucial step in holding Kerr County accountable for its response to the floods and ensuring that similar disasters are met with prompt and effective action in the future.
- The release of 911 calls from Kendall County sheds light on the struggles of a panicked woman who was worried about a stranded relative during the politics of disaster management in Kerr County, where the lack of a warning system and delayed response from officials has led to heated debates amongst lawmakers and observers about emergency preparedness.
- In the midst of the ongoing investigation into Kerr County's response to the devastating floods, local leaders and residents will testify, providing general-news insights into the disaster and spotlighting areas needing improvement, such as early warning systems, emergency communications, and flood infrastructure, as lawmakers work to hold Kerr County accountable and ensure better disaster preparedness in the future.
