Kerr County Officials Asleep During Deadly Flood Crisis, Lawmakers Reveal

An investigation by state lawmakers has revealed a concerning lack of leadership in Kerr County, Texas during the initial hours of a devastating flood that struck the region earlier this month, resulting in over 130 fatalities.

According to testimony presented at the legislative hearing, Kerr County's sheriff and emergency management director both acknowledged that they were asleep when the flood crisis first unfolded. Moreover, the county's top executive, Judge Rob Kelly, was out of town on the day of the disaster.

This absence of key officials in the critical early stages of the emergency has raised serious questions about the county's preparedness and response protocols. Local officials admitted that residents had virtually no warning of the impending weather catastrophe, which swept away homes and vehicles, leaving families stranded on rooftops begging for rescue.

Lawmakers pressed the officials on the need for an updated warning system and better communication infrastructure to prevent such tragedies in the future. The hearing also revealed panicked 911 calls from residents caught in the rising floodwaters, underscoring the chaos and escalating danger in the initial hours of the disaster.

As the community continues to grapple with the aftermath of this devastating flood, the revelations from the legislative hearing have highlighted the urgent need for Kerr County to review its emergency management practices and ensure that its leadership is better equipped to respond to such crises in the future.