Overview

• The July 4 floods in central Texas have claimed 120 lives and left 172 people unaccounted for as over 2,000 rescuers persist in search efforts despite slim chances of finding survivors.
• Recordings reveal Kerr County delayed CodeRED flash flood warnings by more than 90 minutes and operated without an audible siren system, hindering notifications in remote communities.
• Federal and state authorities are under investigation for slow warning activations, FEMA staffing reductions and National Weather Service budget cuts that critics say weakened disaster forecasting and coordination.
• Governor Greg Abbott has called a special session of the Texas Legislature later this month to scrutinize both state and federal emergency preparedness and response measures.
• On July 11, President Trump visited Kerrville to commend first responders, defend the federal disaster response and confront criticism over his administration’s budgetary approach to emergency management.