24 Experts to Testify at Kerrville Flood Hearing Before Public Session

State Lawmakers Hold First Hearing in Kerrville Following Deadly July 4 Floods

State lawmakers have convened for their first hearing in Kerrville since the devastating floods that occurred on July 4. This marks a significant step in addressing the aftermath of the disaster, which claimed the lives of at least 108 people in Kerr County. The hearing will bring together more than two dozen city and county officials, meteorologists, civil engineers, and mental health experts to provide insights into the events and the response efforts.

The agenda, obtained by Hearst Newspapers, outlines a comprehensive schedule of testimony. However, flood survivors and other affected individuals may find themselves waiting until late in the day to share their experiences. Last week’s flood relief hearing at the state Capitol, which featured only 16 invited witnesses, lasted nearly 12 hours. Public testimony is limited to three minutes per person, as stated in the meeting notice.

Despite the detailed plan, the chairs of the Senate and House joint committees, state Sen. Charles Perry of Lubbock and state Rep. Ken King of Canadian, did not immediately respond to questions about the schedule.

Promises to Listen to Local Residents

In the wake of the floods, state leaders emphasized their commitment to hearing from local residents. Lt. Gov Dan Patrick made this promise during a reporter's roundtable on July 11 in Kerrville, which was hosted by President Donald Trump. “We're going to have a hearing in this room so that the residents and the people of this area don't have to come to Austin,” he said. “We're going to come to them. And we'll stay here as long as it takes to hear their stories and their needs and their wants.”

The first panel of invited witnesses includes Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring, Jr., and City Manager Dalton Rice. Records obtained by the Houston Chronicle reveal the city's frustration with the response from Kerr County, with city officials unable to reach Kelly until the night of July 4. "The county is reacting poorly to this," Rice texted Kerrville City Council members that morning.

Coordination Issues and Flood Response

At the hearing last week in Austin, Nim Kidd, chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, highlighted the need for better coordination between state and local emergency managers. The hearing also features testimony from Bill Rector, the longtime president of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority's Board of Directors, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott.

During the July 23 hearing in Austin, lawmakers from both parties grilled the river authority's general manager about the agency's decision to lower residents' property taxes rather than upgrade its flood warning system. A 2016 engineering study found that Kerr County needed around $1 million to modernize the system.

After hearing from officials from Kerr County, lawmakers will call up the judges of Tom Green, Mason, McCulloch, San Saba, and Menard Counties, which were also affected by the floods.

Testimonies from Urban Areas Affected by Flooding

Three leaders from urban areas affected by the July 4 flooding will also testify: Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Williamson County Judge Steven Snell, and San Antonio Fire Department Chief Valerie Frausto. At least 10 deaths have been confirmed in Travis County and three in Williamson County. In San Antonio, 13 people died in flash floods in early June.

The two final panels will include meteorologists, flooding experts, and leaders of two mental health resource centers. After that, lawmakers will open the floor to the public for testimony.

Public Testimony and Community Impact

Public testimony is a critical component of the hearing, allowing flood survivors and others impacted by the devastation to share their stories. However, due to the extensive list of scheduled speakers, the public may have to wait until later in the day to speak. This process reflects the challenges faced by communities in seeking recognition and support after such a tragic event.

The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Hill Country Youth Event Center, marking an important step in the ongoing dialogue about flood preparedness and response. Staff writers Neena Satija and Keri Blakinger contributed to this report.