Hearing for Questions State Should Already Know

CNN interviewed Rep. Drew Darby on the creation of two committees to further investigate Guadalupe River flash flooding on July 4th that killed so many.  

Camp Mystic's statement indicated their willingness to work with the committees and stressed the need for appropriate warning.  Two months ago Darby commented on youth camps "being wholly unprepared."  

Camp Mystic passed a state inspection two days prior to the deadly flash flood disaster.  A Camp Mystic founder who died in the July 4th flood had a long history of warning about river flood dangers and served on boards responsible for warning systems.

Earlier reports showed Kerr County's top three officials charged with disaster management to be asleep or out of town.

William “Dub” Thomas, Kerr County’s emergency management coordinator, told lawmakers that he was sick the day before the flooding occurred and missed two calls with Texas Emergency Management officials.

The Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM) prepositioned swift water rescue teams in anticipation of significant rainfall.  A call that went through from TDEM Region 7's Shawn Baxter saved lives along rivers and creeks as County Judges and Sheriffs took preventive action.   

Was anyone from Kerr County on the line for those Region 6 calls?  If they were, what did they do with that information?  If other County Judges heeded the warnings that "this could be different", why didn't Kerr County officials?

It's a slow drip of official information which is odd given the State of Texas took over the disaster response on July 4th with support from FEMA.  Surely, they had people document their actions in the hours prior to the state assuming command and interviewed officials as part of their responsibility to evaluate their response, a standard in professional disaster management.

As for youth camps the State of Texas has had months to investigate Camp Mystic for its "failure to ensure the health, safety, or welfare of persons at the program" as it has authority to "conduct an investigation in response to an allegation" or actual incident.

The questions today are the same questions as shortly after the horrific disaster (when Governor Abbott characterized it as "loser football fan" talk) and the same questions that took nearly a month to get partially answered in public testimony.

Eventually, they may be answered or they may remain hidden.  It's the State's deck of cards and they seem hesitant to show their hand.  

Update 12-6-25:  The 911 calls to Kerrville Emergency Dispatch were made public.  The calls reveal increasing desperation and peril.  The calls from the 911 center to Emergency Management Officials are yet to be released.  

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas had been on medical leave after heart surgery but returned to work on November 10th.  Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly is looking to hire help for Thomas.  The top three Kerr County officials continue to cover for each other and they are yet to produce/share an after action report.

Update 12-7-25:  Concho Valley Homepage ran the 911 call story.

Update 3-27-26:  The State of Texas better hurry up with their various hearings and investigations as two Kerr County leaders responsible for their botched response are retiring.  Emergency Management Coordinator William "Dub" Thomas (asleep) is retiring March 31st and County Judge Rob Kelly (out of town) is not running for reelection.  

Update 4-20-26:  Texas Tribune reported Camp Mystic's security guard testified as to events that evening/early morning:

The security guard at Camp Mystic the night of last year’s deadly flood acknowledged Wednesday that if a general evacuation order came early in the storm, lives could’ve been saved.

Update 4-22-26:  KXAN reported: 

According to the House’s resolution, the committee would be tasked with investigating contributing factors, allocation of resources, effectiveness of preparedness and effectiveness of response and coordination between local, state and federal entities. The Senate’s resolution called for a broader “complete and thorough examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding the flooding events.”

So how did these broad mandates get reduced to summer camps?   It appears there may never be an assessment of Kerr County emergency official's response (non-response) to the disaster.

Update 5-21-26:  The National Weather Service released a report on the July 4th floods specific to Kerr County.  It states:

....attempted to call both the Kerr County emergency management coordinator and the sheriff’s office starting at approximately 3:38 a.m. but were unable to reach the sheriff’s office until 4:32 a.m. and the emergency management coordinator until 6:19 a.m.

Kerr County officials released their communications that day which show a non-responsiveness to the scope and scale of the disaster.

Update 7-16-26:

The State of Texas, headed by Governor Greg Abbott, continues to not hold Kerr County officials responsible for their abject public safety failures in the July 4th flood.  

More Committees for July 4th Flash Flood Disaster

NBC DFW reported:

The leaders of the Texas House and Senate say they've created committees that will meet jointly and "get to the bottom of exactly what occurred" during the deadly July 4 flooding in Central Texas that killed at least 136 people, including 25 girls and two counselors at Camp Mystic. 

The Senate members are Sen. Pete Flores, R-Pleasanton, Chair; Sen. Charles Perry, R-Lubbock, Vice Chair; Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Tyler; Sen. Lois Kolkhorst, R-Brenham; and Sen. José Menéndez, D-San Antonio. 

The House members are Rep. Morgan Meyer, R-University Park, Chair; Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, Vice Chair; Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo; Rep. Paul Dyson, R-Bryan and Rep. Erin Gamez, D-Brownsville.

The State of Texas should know exactly what happened as it took over the disaster response with support from FEMA.  The summer special legislative session passed numerous bills to address problems that contributed to the horrific disaster.   Did those bills lack an understanding of exactly what happened?

Districts for Senator Charles Perry and Representative Drew Darby include San Angelo, which also received record rainfall in portions of town on July 4th.  Swift water rescue boats from Fort Worth had been staged in San Angelo and responded promptly to the unfolding disaster.  

Counties in the region has been warned by Shawn Baxter, a former Texas State Trooper with regional responsibility for disaster preparedness.  Numerous County Judges between San Angelo and Kerrville heeded Baxter's warning, that this could be different and flash flooding a real concern for loss of life.  Menard County Judge and the Sheriff's Department contacted people up and down area waterways the day before with a warning to be prepared to evacuate to higher ground.

While other county leaders were prepared, Kerr County was not.  Their Emergency Management Coordinator was sick and missed the phone call from Sean Baxter's counterpart that this weather setup was different and far more concerning.  The County Judge was at Lake Travis, leaving only the County Sheriff who also could not be contacted as the threatening water rose.

Rep Darby sat on the House panel that held hearings in Kerrville.  My guess is he knows plenty about what happened, just as the state officials who took over the response do.  

Kerr County officials noted the need to do an after action report and recently held a town hall meeting to discuss a flood event summary, Camp Mystic, and rebuilding efforts.  However, there is no sign of that after action report.

The public might know more than state or local officials have been willing to share if Texas public information requirements had not been suspended.  It took twenty seven days for the public to learn the Disaster Management Coordinator had been sick and slept as flash flooding occurred.  

Thus, the slow dribble of information that should shock is now but old news.  At least Governor Abbott retired the football analogy.  

Update 10-16-25:  CNN interviewed Rep. Drew Darby on this development.  Camp Mystic's statement included information about a lack of warning.  In August Darby commented on youth camps being wholly unprepared.  Camp Mystic passed a state inspection two days prior to the deadly flash flood disaster.  A Camp Mystic founder who died in the July 4th flood had a long history of warning about river flood dangers and served on boards responsible for warning systems.

Earlier reports showed Kerr County's top three officials charged with disaster management to be asleep or out of town.

William “Dub” Thomas, Kerr County’s emergency management coordinator, told lawmakers that he was sick the day before the flooding occurred and missed two calls with Texas Emergency Management officials.

The call that went through from Region 7's Shawn Baxter saved lives.   Was anyone from Kerr County on the line for those Region 6 calls?  If they were, what did they do with that information?  If other County Judges heeded the warnings that "this could be different", why didn't Kerr County officials?    

Update 11-20-25:  FoxWestTexas reported

A resolution honoring victims and heroes of the July 4 flooding in Texas has cleared the U.S. House of Representatives, more than four months after the disaster that claimed 135 lives statewide.

The House mourns the profound loss of life, honors the courage and sacrifice of those who risked their lives to save others, encourages the rebuilding of infrastructure and facilities damaged, and stands united with those affected, pledging continued support as the process of healing and rebuilding continues.

The profound loss of life occurred in one area out of many areas that experienced horrific flooding.  The time for consequences is nigh.

Update 12-6-25:  The 911 calls to Kerrville Emergency Dispatch were made public.  The calls reveal increasing desperation and peril.  The calls from the 911 center to Emergency Management Officials are yet to be released.  

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas had been on medical leave after heart surgery but returned to work on November 10th.  Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly is looking to hire help for Thomas.  The top three Kerr County officials continue to cover for each other and they are yet to produce/share an after action report.

Update 12-7-25:  Concho Valley Homepage ran the 911 call story.

Update 4-20-26:  Texas Tribune reported Camp Mystic's security guard testified as to events that evening/early morning:

The security guard at Camp Mystic the night of last year’s deadly flood acknowledged Wednesday that if a general evacuation order came early in the storm, lives could’ve been saved.

Update 4-22-26:  KXAN reported: 

According to the House’s resolution, the committee would be tasked with investigating contributing factors, allocation of resources, effectiveness of preparedness and effectiveness of response and coordination between local, state and federal entities. The Senate’s resolution called for a broader “complete and thorough examination of the facts and circumstances surrounding the flooding events.”

So how did this broad mandate get reduced to summer camps?   It appears there may never be an assessment of Kerr County emergency official's response (non-response) to the disaster. 

Update 5-21-26:  The National Weather Service released a report on the July 4th floods specific to Kerr County.  It states:

....attempted to call both the Kerr County emergency management coordinator and the sheriff’s office starting at approximately 3:38 a.m. but were unable to reach the sheriff’s office until 4:32 a.m. and the emergency management coordinator until 6:19 a.m.

Kerr County officials released their communications that day which show a non-responsiveness to the scope and scale of the disaster.

Update 7-16-26:

The State of Texas, headed by Governor Greg Abbott, continues to not hold Kerr County officials responsible for their abject public safety failures in the July 4th flood.  

City of San Angelo Worsens Health Insurance Benefit for 2026

San Angelo City Council approved moving forward with new insurance benefits for fiscal year 2026.  The former middle and high health insurance options have been eliminated.  

The low coverage option will be the new "preferred plan" with an even worse base plan and an associated health savings account contribution.  

The background packet makes this clear:

The new dual option maintains the current low plan and introduces a high deductible health plan (HDHP) with a health reimbursement account (HRA) to fund first dollar coverage. The high and medium plans would be discontinued. The premiums for both of the proposed plans would be at a premium increase compared to the current premiums for employees.

Add an unfunded liability that needs to be made up and the city/employees will need to pay more.

Although there is no projected increase in expense for this proposal, funding to cover the unfunded liability will be needed. There is an expected increase in premiums for active/U65 group.

A small plum for city workers is the new Health Reimbursement Account contribution for those on the new base plan, $750 for an individual and $1,500 for a family.  Assuming no usage of this account until a major healthcare event, it would take 8.8 years to accumulate the $6,600 annual out of pocket for an individual and a similar 8.8 years to build the $13,200 annual out of pocket for a family.

City Council has heard that economic development has the potential to shift the burden of taxes from residential real estate to corporate property, land, buildings and equipment.  That is if City Council doesn't abate that revenue away.  

That appeared to be the case in 2024 with retiree healthcare and a monster tax abatement on a battery farm.  The company requested an 85% tax abatement.  At the time I wrote:

It's rather Grinch like to save private equity investors millions, while foisting new health insurance deductibles on retired city workers.

The city did not enacted Council's direction because it violated federal law.  So they picked up the tab for retirees.  

Nearly a year later the city plans to foist new higher deductibles on most city workers, at least the ones picking the new base plan.  Everyone covered gets to pay more in premium, as well.  That's not a good deal for underpaid city employees.  

Update 10-24-25:  City Council increased health insurance premiums for retirees by $13 per month.  The vote was four ayes and two nays.  Stay tuned for future tax abatements....

Texas: Firing for Cause

Which of the three situations listed below resulted in the firing of four people from their jobs?

1) The inadequate response to the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas that resulted in the killing of 19 students and two teachers.

2) The failure of local emergency management authorities to activate existing warning systems regarding flash flooding of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County that resulted in the death of at least 135 people, including 71 adults and 37 children.

3)  The viewing of a video from a Texas A&M class that dealt  with gender identity and "did not comply with the Trump Presidential Executive Order" decreeing only two genders.  A Texas legislator broadcast (posted) that video.

The answer is #3.  

A living student's sensibilities were offended and a State Legislator came to that person's rescue by mobilizing internet rage.

Professionals in #1 and #2 failed to follow plans and procedures for which they'd drilled many times.  In both cases the State of Texas covered for those failures.

For those who can count:  Gender identity video - 4 jobs lost, Dead children (56) and adults (73) - 0 jobs lost.

Councilman Hiebert Ready to Axe City Services

Councilman Tommy Hiebert proposed monthly workshops on what city services "must" be eliminated at the close of the September 2nd City Council meeting   Hiebert referenced a Texas Senate bill that could limit tax rate increases to 2.5% and require increases larger than that amount to go to a citizen vote.

I thought that odd, jumping straight to axing city services.  The City of San Angelo has built significant fund balances across its various accounts.  

Economic development executives dangled future business tax income during their discussion.  Council approved an over $100,000 annual increase to make that happen.  Council could adopt a policy providing less generous tax abatement in the future, say 60% vs. 90%, in order to fund city services.

If the city needs more than 2.5% or whatever limit the Texas legislature imposes, Council can take their budget proposals to the voters.  Just as they did with the Coliseum renovation.

Hiebert's desire to cut and not consider other options is premature, at best.  I'd hate to think there might be other motivations.  Across our country governments have been unduly manipulated by major business interests.  

The City of San Angelo needs to grow in a way that is fair to all involved.  Investor funded projects that provide little to no jobs are not high on my list for monster tax breaks.  

The Texas legislature may want to give voters the opportunity to approve or turn down giant tax abatements.  That's a power that equalizes the playing field.  Moving at the speed of voters....

Update 10-10-25:  Council took the first big step by reducing health insurance benefit options for staff, making the current "low" plan option the new "buy up" plan.  What was once provided by the city is now extra, requiring employees to pay more.

Update 11-4-25:  Councilman Harry Thomas spoke about Council facing a tax shortfall in the coming years and the need for members to decide what services may need to be cut.  He did so during the Comprehensive Plan RFQ discussion.  

Update 11-17-25:  Tony Deden wrote:

This essay was born out of revulsion to an accidental summer reading that paraded progress as virtue and private equity as its high priest. Every paragraph spoke the same pious language of “sustainable improvement,” “societal benefit,” and “long-term value creation,” as though leverage, asset-stripping, and balance-sheet cosmetics had become moral acts. I found myself revolted not merely by the hypocrisy, but by the vacuousness of it. In our hyper-financialized society, we have come to mistake valuation for value, and activity for achievement. The word ‘progress’ has been exploited to justify anything that moves—no matter what it destroys. What follows is an act of refusal to bow to the idea that more money is progress. If this essay has a motive, it is contempt for the trivial slogans that pass as thought, and for the hollow theory that confuses financial §engineering with human improvement.

Local politicians and Texas voters would be wise to read his piece.  

Update 12-29-25:  Private equity is very interested in San Angelo according to Chamber Executive Michael Looney.  Also:

Council Member Patrick Keely will hold a Data Center Development Community Meeting on Monday, December 29, 2025 from 5:30-6:30 pm at the Downtown Library in the Brooks & Bates Room. The subject is the proposed Skybox Data Center on Highway 67 just north of city limits. Council approved the sale of 350 acres of city owned land to Skybox in March 2025. 

Issues are noise pollution, water use, appropriate zoning, need for city services while residing outside city limits, traffic safety and electrical power use for the proposed 1.5 million square foot development distributed across six buildings (each of which is four stories high). 

A flyer for this public meeting states the item will be voted on at Council's next meeting on January 13, 2026.

American Airlines Diverted Flight Followup

On August 8th I wrote about Flight 4956's diversion to Midland, Texas due to the failure of a wind sensor and the airport tower having no staff present to provide that information to the pilot.  

American Airlines customer service complaint:

I requested a refund for a terrible flight experience and AA has denied that request. I had two miserable flight segments during the trip but flight 4956 on 8-4-25 was the worst experience in my over 40 years of flying. I created the refund application in the Midland airport on my cell phone, an IPhone 8.5. I just tried to refer to the Chat messages I sent that evening for this complaint and am not able to access them as the mandatory AA App update no longer works on my phone. Flight 4956 was diverted to Midland on a clear night with light winds. It did so because the weather report lacked any wind information. I recognize this is a requirement but AA and the FAA/NWS need a backup for when that information is not available. 

There was no support from AA when we landed in Midland after midnight. You can see the calls I made to AA phone line and the chats I sent to your AA bot. The flight crew got their mandatory rest, but I got very little during my night spent in the Midland airport. Airport security did not know how to handle us the next morning as my boarding pass had yesterday's date. After landing back in San Angelo I learned my bag arrived home before I did. The wait for the bag was nearly an hour, as all staff were out on the tarmac for those departing on the plane that got me home a day late. An AA person told us someone would be with us shortly for the bag. Next thing we know she walked by us with her purse and coffee. No service for us. Less future business for you.

The AA reply sounded like something written by AI (see image at top of this post).  So I sent them a link to a previous post on the diverted flight.  That prompted AA's first attempt at service recovery (after providing dozens of feedback via chat, phone and AA's customer service website).  

Thank you.... this is the first message that acknowledged anything. I gave feedback all along the way and American showed no care, much less interest. The bonus miles are appreciated but are a tiny positive in a sea of abuse and inattention.

The City of San Angelo runs the airport which failed to provide the necessary weather information for the plane to land and does not have staff in the tower as backup should the automated system fail.   An initial public information request produced an e-mail regarding ongoing ASOS issues and an August 21st meeting with the Airport Director.

"Ongoing issues" implied that my flight was not the only one impacted.  A PIR on how many flights had been impacted in calendar year 2025 produced "no responsive documents."  Another PIR on the 8-21 meeting gave the same answer, "no responsive documents."  There was a communication from the Airport Director that "all components of the wind sensor had been replaced and that NWS staff would monitor that daily."

A public information request to NOAA and the National Weather Service on the issue was placed on a back burner because it did not meet their criteria for a more prompt response.

As our world moves to automated everything with no human backup, my advice for you is "be prepared" to be treated inhumanely, over and over and over and over.  

If I could never fly American again, I would.  But there are important humans I need to periodically visit.

Update 11-24-25:  Apparently I was not alone 

According to data collected by the United States Department of Transportation in the August Air Travel Consumer Report, American Airlines was the worst of all domestic airlines.

Update 12-7-25:  My request for information with NOAA/NWS has been assigned for processing. 

Update 12-15-25:  AA sent a 2025 recap which I have corrected in part:

Update 12-19-25:  American Airlines announced it would stop awarding frequent flyer miles to basic economy tickets, like the one I purchased for the trip that was diverted to Midland.  I recall the price being close to $600.  A young lady on the flight said she paid $900 for a basic economy tickets.

Update 3-24-26:  The NOAA/NWS FOIA request remains in the "assigned for processing" status.  No progress has been made since it was submitted on 8-11-25.  

Kerr County Commissioner Speaks "After Action Report"

One Kerr County Commissioner called for an "after action report" seven weeks after the July 4th flash flood disaster that killed 138 people.

"The question is what's coming next and how do we prepare for it.  After action report is a big part of that and it's being dictated by the state by also being introduced by me previously and also Commissioner Paces has offered to help out that.  It's going to be something we need to do however dramatic it is and uncovering certain things.  We need to look at ourselves hard in the face."- Kerr County Commissioner Jeff Holt

This came after public comment that praised two commissioners, Jeff Holt and Robert Paces, for their response the early morning of July 4th, doing so in the hours before local Emergency Management officials got organized and the State of Texas took over.  Commissioner Paces noted during the meeting:

"There are some other lessons learned in terms of who is watching, who is looking at the data and how that information gets relayed."

A basic in disaster response is a timely evaluation of the effort.  Elected officials aren't noted for their competence or thoroughness in this area.  The White House Lessons Learned report on Hurricane Katrina was a disaster in itself.  The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina is tomorrow, August 29.

"Unprecedented disasters" that occur every few decades no longer cuts the mustard.  The whole point of institutions is memory.  Kerr County Emergency Management officials warned about flooding in August 2024.

Let's hope the Kerr County Commissioner's Court shows more knowledge and courage in evaluating how their local disaster plans were executed.  Their constituents deserve a thorough and comprehensive assessment with clear recommendations to address problems.    

Update 9-25-25:  FEMA's interim chief was also missing in action for the Kerr County flash floods.  Staff could not reach him by phone.  That means there were communication failures at both the local and federal level that directly impacted the response, warning, rescue and recovery/cleanup.

Update 10-15-25:  The Texas Legislature will establish two more committees to look at the deadly flash flood event of July 4. 

Update 12-6-25:  The 911 calls to Kerrville Emergency Dispatch were made public.  The calls reveal increasing desperation and peril.  The calls from the 911 center to Emergency Management Officials are yet to be released.  

Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas had been on medical leave after heart surgery but returned to work on November 10th.  Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly is looking to hire help for Thomas.  The top three Kerr County officials continue to cover for each other and they are yet to produce/share an after action report.

Update 12-7-25:  Concho Valley Homepage ran the 911 call story.

Update 5-21-26:  The National Weather Service released a report on the July 4th floods specific to Kerr County.  It states:

....attempted to call both the Kerr County emergency management coordinator and the sheriff’s office starting at approximately 3:38 a.m. but were unable to reach the sheriff’s office until 4:32 a.m. and the emergency management coordinator until 6:19 a.m.

Kerr County officials released their communications that day which show a non-responsiveness to the scope and scale of the disaster.

Update 7-16-26:

The State of Texas, headed by Governor Greg Abbott, continues to not hold Kerr County officials responsible for their abject public safety failures in the July 4th flood.