US EditionFirst Responders, Officials Seek Solutions After Kerr County Flood Tragedy
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS, JUL 31 – William 'Dub' Thomas was sick and missed key emergency meetings as floodwaters rose rapidly, with more than 130 fatalities including 27 campers, officials said.
- During a hearing Thursday, Kerr County officials disclosed that William 'Dub' Thomas and Larry Leitha were asleep, while Rob Kelly was out of town as floods killed over 130 people on July 4.
- While flood risk loomed, Thomas said he was sick on July 3, missing two emergency meetings and calls with Texas Emergency Management officials.
- On July 6, Larry Leitha noted the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m., but residents along the Guadalupe River had no warning.
- At the hearing, Rep. Drew Darby criticized delays, saying `We have a lot of folks who had titles but when the time came to act, they did not do so in a timely fashion`, and Rep. Ann Johnson asked about protocols for leader absences.
- Looking ahead, Thomas and Leitha urged enhanced detection systems and broadband improvements, with Leitha emphasizing the need for stronger communications to handle emergencies effectively.
49 Articles
49 Articles
Texas county emergency official says he was absent when floods hit because of illness
“I stayed in bed throughout July 3 and did not participate in the regularly scheduled 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Texas Emergency Management Coordination Center coordination calls,” Kerr County emergency management coordinator William Thomas said
Kerr County officials failed to follow certain aspects of disaster plan during Texas floods
By Terri Langford, The Texas Tribune July 31, 2025 “Kerr County officials failed to follow certain aspects of disaster plan during Texas floods” was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune’s daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essen…
Emergency Boss Admits Sleeping as Floodwaters Rose
A county emergency management coordinator conceded during an emotional hearing Thursday that he was asleep while floodwaters rose in the Texas Hill Country early on July 4, but William Thomas nevertheless defended his response to the disaster early this month. Hundreds of Kerr County residents attended the meeting that was...
Guess Why Kerr County TX Is Still A Mess After Flash Flooding
There was a hearing yesterday in Kerr County, Texas as desperate residents demanded to know where the help was after the devastating floods. Via the New York Times: As soon as the raging waters receded on July 4 in Central Texas, Mike Richards led a group of volunteers to his property along the Guadalupe River to search for survivors. Instead, they found corpses, 10 of them, including a man that appeared to have bled to death as he waited for he…
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