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?
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.
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