Kerr County officials' abdication of their responsibilities to warn citizens of impending disaster and coordinate a timely response to Guadalupe River flooding on July 4, 2025 did not sit well with me.
So, on July 21, 2025 I submitted a public information request to Kerr County. It stated:
I request electronic copies of any flash flood or flood disaster drills undertaken in Kerr County under the tenure of Emergency Management Coordinator "Dub" Thomas prior to 7-4-25.I never received a reply from the County. Thus, on August 10th I submitted a complaint to the Attorney General. The AG responded on October 30th by requesting information from Kerr County.
On November 10th I learned from the AG's office that Kerr County has not conducted a flood disaster drill under the tenure of Emergency Management Coordinator William "Dub" Thomas or they have no written record of such, had any actually occurred.
Disaster response professionals drill scenarios as part of their ongoing preparation and readiness. Disaster professionals evaluate those drills, even the paper "table top" versions. To learn that Kerr County officials had no such information on flood disaster drills since November 2015 should be shocking, especially as the county warned about monstrous and devastating floods in 2017.
The deeper one digs the more one realizes what little substance actually existed. The State of Texas should be well aware by now of all aspects of that July 4th disaster. So far, there has been a banquet of non-consequences for Kerr County officials.
No warning, no command post, no drills.... The public deserved far better.
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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