Search for answers after Texas’ deadly floods brings lawmakers to devastated Hill Country

By NADIA LATHAN Associated Press Analysis for America KERRVILLE Texas AP A rural Texas county needed but lacked an updated warning system local authorities testified Thursday when flash flooding swept away homes and vehicles and left families begging for rescue on the roofs of their homes earlier this month Texas lawmakers searched for answers during a hearing on the deadly July floods that overwhelmed Kerr County in a matter of hours The hearing was the first time a panel of lawmakers visited the hard-hit Texas Hill Country since the floods At least people were killed including youths and counselors at an all-girls camp Among local representatives who testified was the county s urgency management chief who explained his absence in the initial hours as the calamity unfolded Others who testified Thursday before an audience of hundreds of people selected who wore green ribbons in memory of the casualties called for urgent improvements for better flood warnings and flood mitigation Kerrville County Judge Rob Kelly explained residents had virtually no warning of the impending weather catastrophe until it was too late We need stronger communications and better broadband so we can communicate better he disclosed adding that poor cell institution did not help those along the river What we experienced on July was sudden violent and overwhelming Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr center testifies during a Senate and House Select Committees on Mishap Preparedness and Flooding population hearing in Kerrville Texas Thursday July AP Photo Eric Gay Attendees look at a marked up map of the Guadalupe River during a Senate and House Select Committees on Tragedy Preparedness and Flooding population hearing in Kerrville Texas Thursday July AP Photo Eric Gay Texas Lt Gov Dan Patrick center speaks during a Senate and House Select Committees on Tragedy Preparedness and Flooding society hearing in Kerrville Texas Thursday July AP Photo Eric Gay Attendees wait for a Senate and House Select Committees on Accident Preparedness and Flooding society hearing to begin in Kerrville Texas Thursday July AP Photo Eric Gay Show Caption of Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr center testifies during a Senate and House Select Committees on Catastrophe Preparedness and Flooding population hearing in Kerrville Texas Thursday July AP Photo Eric Gay Expand Meanwhile Kerr County s crisis management coordinator reported he was relieved to have the opportunity to address rumors that he was slow to respond William Dub Thomas Kerr County s urgency management coordinator reported lawmakers he was sick the day before the flooding occurred and missed two calls with Texas Exigency Management officers although he commented those calls were routinely followed with written summaries sent to other county leaders ensuring that the flow of situational updates remained uninterrupted in my absence Thomas explained on the morning of July he was first awakened by his wife around a m more than an hour after urgency rescue operations were underway and swiftly drove to the sheriff s office There was no visible flooding on my drive into the office but it rapidly became clear that the situation was escalating he commented Related Articles American Eagle s good jeans ads with Sydney Sweeney spark a debate on race and beauty standards With growing urgency more US Jews urge Israel to ensure ample food deliveries to Gaza Ranchers say expanding herds to take advantage of record retail beef prices isn t so simple Virginia Giuffre s family expresses shock over Trump saying Epstein stole her Arkansas trainer charged with killing couple who were hiking in Devil s Den with their kids The hearing comes as executives have begun publicly releasing records and audio including calls that have provided new glimpses into the escalating danger and chaos in the early hours of the July Fourth holiday They include panicked and confused messages from residents caught in trees as well as families fleeing with children from homes with water creeping up to the knees People are dying one woman tells a operator in call logs issued by nearby Kendall County She says she had a young relative at a church camp in Kerr County who was stranded along with his classmates because of the high waters I don t want them to get stuck in a low-water traversing And what are they going to do They have like kids the woman says Kerr County administrators have denied several Texas Community of Information requests filed by The Associated Press for calls and body-camera footage related to the floods Lawmakers have had to address flood relief amid a busy -day legislative special session that has included a highly-partisan sprint by Republicans to redraw the state s maps to pick up five more seats in the U S House Republican Gov Greg Abbott added flood relief and calamity preparedness to the agenda items shortly after calling a special session in June He also included redrawing the state s maps after receiving pressure from President Donald Trump who has reported he wants Texas Republicans to squeeze five additional seats House Democrats have launched a series of protests that have involved fleeing the state to meet with Democratic governors to try and stop Republican redistricting As the minority party in both chambers the caucus has insufficient options and lawmakers face up to a day for walking out after they broke a quorum in Party leaders have disclosed they will not engage in other legislative business until the legislature addresses flood relief Lawmakers have filed bills to provide funding for early warning systems improve exigency communications and strengthen flood infrastructure in flood-prone areas Residents along the Guadalupe River have mentioned they were caught off guard and had no warning when rainfall struck Kerr County does not have a warning system along the river after several missed opportunities by state and local agencies to finance one Lathan is a corps member for 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