Witness testimonies from flood survivors and local authorities shared in a heartfelt Texas legislative session
Special Session in Texas Legislature Focuses on Disaster Preparedness Following Deadly Flood
The Texas Legislature is convening for a special session beginning on July 21, 2025, with a focus on disaster preparedness and response following the tragic July 4 floods in Kerrville and the Texas Hill Country.
The flood, which claimed the lives of over 130 people, highlighted the need for improved flood warning systems, emergency communications, and relief funding for flood response and recovery. The disaster also exposed shortcomings in the state's emergency response capabilities, particularly in flood-prone areas.
During a legislative hearing in Kerrville on July 31, local officials admitted that key emergency managers were unavailable during the early hours of the flood, delaying the warning and response efforts. Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha was asleep until woken by deputies before dawn, while Judge Rob Kelly, the top county official with oversight of emergency management, was out of town during the flood.
The hearing also raised questions about the safety of vacation and youth camps, as many of the victims were found in these locations. There were concerns about whether these facilities were provided with early enough warnings and clear evacuation plans and routes.
Republican State Rep. Drew Darby and Democratic State Rep. Ann Johnson both criticized local officials for their lack of action during the flood and for being unavailable when needed.
One of the most affected individuals was Alicia Jeffrey Baker, who lost her parents and her 11-year-old daughter in the flood. In the aftermath, she has requested better warning systems for future floods.
Former police officer Mike Richards, who found 10 bodies on land he owns in Center Point, an unincorporated area in Kerr County, has expressed dissatisfaction with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and suggested it should be abolished. He also stated that he did not receive any help from the state or government following the flood.
The special session aims to address these issues and improve the state’s preparedness infrastructure and emergency response capabilities to better protect flood-prone areas in the future. The legislation also seeks to ensure faster aid delivery and better communication to residents as flood waters rise, to prevent similar tragedies going forward.
The hearing and legislation come as the Texas Legislature works to improve disaster preparedness and response in the state.
The special session in the Texas Legislature, focusing on disaster preparedness, aims to improve policies and legislation for flood warning systems, emergency communications, and relief funding, following a devastating flood that claimed over 130 lives. The session also seeks to address shortcomings in emergency response capabilities, particularly in flood-prone areas, as highlighted by the delayed warning and response efforts in Kerrville. The legislation also aims to ensure faster aid delivery and better communication with residents during emergencies to prevent future tragedies. The hearings and proposed bills are part of ongoing efforts by the Texas Legislature to improve disaster preparedness and response in the state.
