No Excuse … Texas Failed Us All, Part 1

By Gloria Way

  Texas lawmakers are in Austin now for a special session called by Governor Gregg Abott to complete its work that was not finished in the regular session. And, the top of the list are discussions about flood warning systems, flood emergency communications, and natural disaster preparation and recovery. Sadly, these issues would not be discussed if the tragedy of July 4^th had not occurred.

  Lawmakers are now hearing harrowing testimony from residents, local officials, and emergency response experts, seeking to understand what went wrong and how to ensure it never happens again.

  Experts called pointed to a confluence of factors that contributed to the failures observed during the Kerrville floods.

  Perhaps most alarming was the lack of clear leadership and coordination among emergency management agencies. Witnesses described agencies working in silos, with little cross-communication or unified messaging. As a result, resources like rescue boats and high-water vehicles were improperly deployed, and some neighborhoods were left waiting hours for help that would never arrive.

  Various state and regional officials painted a picture of longstanding problems that the state and its agencies have repeatedly failed to address, such as communication challenges  and the lack of warning as a disaster unfolds from state officials to local leaders who are responsible for calling for evacuations and who might not be adequately trained or receive notice of a disaster in time to save lives. Legislators honed in on a lack of emergency training for local officials and lack of support for them to be sure they know what’s going on during a disaster. Lawmakers also heard that local emergency management coordinators who are appointed by mayors and county judges are not required to have standard qualifications to do that crucial job.

  Further testimony highlighted the vulnerabilities within the region’s technology and communications infrastructure. Cellular networks, already spotty in the hilly terrain, collapsed under the weight of simultaneous emergency calls. As power outages rippled through the area, backup generators at critical facilities failed to start, and emergency command centers found themselves operating in the dark— both literally and figuratively.

  It was revealed that much of the area’s emergency warning infrastructure was designed decades ago, with limited capacity for integration with modern technologies like smartphones and real-time data feeds. Some sirens, for example, required manual activation, and their coverage areas did not correspond to modern population patterns.

  It was revealed that much of the area’s emergency warning infrastructure was designed decades ago, with limited capacity for integration with modern technologies like smartphones and real-time data feeds. Some sirens, for example, required manual activation, and their coverage areas did not correspond to modern population patterns.

  Emergency preparedness plans, where they existed, were often outdated or insufficiently tailored to the unique risks posed by flash floods in the Hill Country. Regular drills were infrequent, and many local agencies lacked the resources or training to carry out coordinated response exercises.

  Budgetary constraints loomed large in the testimony. Several officials noted that requests for upgrades to communications equipment, additional personnel, and training had languished for years in the face of competing fiscal priorities. The result was a patchwork system unable to respond robustly to a crisis of this magnitude.

*Next Week Part 2 – Have you ever heard of TEEX?