Three top officials were asleep or out of town when deadly Texas floods hit

August 1, 2025

In July 2024, catastrophic flooding in Texas claimed at least 135 lives, with Kerr County suffering the highest death toll of 95 people. During a legislative hearing in Kerrville, three top county officials testified about their whereabouts when disaster struck: Emergency Management Coordinator William B Thomas and Sheriff Larry Leitha were asleep, while County Judge Rob Kelly was out of town. All three officials claimed they had received no prior warnings about the severity of the impending floods, with Thomas citing illness, Leitha stating he had "zero worries" about the forecasted rain, and Kelly explaining he was away at his lake house.

Who is affected

Residents of Texas counties hit by flooding, particularly Kerr County
The families of the 135 people killed in the floods
Camp Mystic attendees and staff (part of the 95 casualties in Kerr County)
People forced to evacuate their homes
Kerr County officials facing scrutiny over their response
Local emergency management systems and personnel

What action is being taken

Texas lawmakers are holding hearings to investigate the disaster response
County officials are testifying about their actions during the crisis
Officials are defending their response by citing the lack of adequate warnings from weather services
Authorities are examining warning systems and evacuation procedures

Why it matters

The disaster resulted in 135 deaths, making it a significant human tragedy
Questions about warning systems and official responses could lead to changes in emergency protocols
The testimony reveals potential gaps in emergency management during overnight disasters
The situation highlights vulnerability to extreme weather events, especially in areas with homes in flood-prone locations
The disaster raises concerns about preparedness for future flash flooding events in Texas

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC