As Texas state leaders have prioritized spending on border security and property tax cuts, they have been far more reluctant to fund flood management efforts.

Why it matters: Texas leads the nation by a wide margin in flood deaths.

• More than 1,000 people died in Texas floods from 1959 to 2019, according to an academic analysis, most having occurred in the Hill Country.
• In places like Kerr County, officials rely on text alerts and word-of-mouth instead of costly outdoor sirens due to funding challenges.

The big picture: Despite Texas' vulnerability, the state didn't complete a comprehensive statewide assessment of flood risk and solutions until last year.

By the numbers: Though the Texas Water Development Board has identified more than $54 billion in needed flood-control projects, lawmakers have only allocated roughly $669 million so far.

• This year, the Legislature approved $2.5 billion for the Texas Water Fund — used to finance water projects in Texas, including conservation, desalination, and flood mitigation — with the possibility of $1 billion per year over 20 years using sales tax revenue, pending voter approval in November.
• Lawmakers also passed Senate Bill 1967, expanding projects that can be awarded from the Texas Flood Infrastructure Fund.

One key proposal, House Bill 13, would have created a state council to establish a unified disaster response and alert system, but it stalled in the Senate after some Republican lawmakers questioned its cost.

• "In hindsight ... my vote would probably be different now," state Rep. Wes Virdell, a Republican who represents Kerr County, told the Texas Tribune.

Zoom in: In the Hill Country, technological and infrastructure barriers have slowed adoption of modern flood alerts.

• Kerrville officials explored installing a warning system in 2017 but rejected the idea over its price tag. The county later missed out on a $1 million grant and, as recently as 2023, was still weighing other funding options, according to KXAN.
• Outdoor emergency sirens may have given people more time to escape, former Kerr County commissioner Tom Moser told the New York Times, but a single siren can cost as high as $50,000.

What's next: Gov. Greg Abbott indicated Sunday that he'll include the notification issue on the upcoming special session agenda.

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Even as floodwaters rose with terrifying speed, people sprang into action, making split-second decisions that helped save lives in Kerr County.

The big picture: From camp counselors guiding children to safety in the dark to first responders navigating dangerous conditions, stories of courage are emerging from the chaos.

Here are a few of them.

Silvana Garza Valdez and María Paula Zárate

The Camp Mystic counselors told Foro TV, a Mexican news station, that the storm woke them in the middle of the night.

• Garza Valdez and Zárate said they gathered the campers and used permanent markers to write the girls' names and ages on their arms to identify them if the worst happened. They then moved the group to a nearby dining hall for safety.
• Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum publicly recognized the two young women yesterday morning, saying she was "very proud."

Scott Ruskan

Scott Ruskan, a Coast Guard rescue swimmer based in Corpus Christi, was deployed to Camp Mystic on Friday. Speaking to "Good Morning America," he described it as one of the most difficult flying conditions he's faced. It was his first mission in his one-year career.

• "When I got on scene, there were 200 kids looking to someone for comfort and safety," he said. "They don't know my experience, my rank or my age. They just see someone who's here to help — and I had to live up to that. The real heroes, I think, are the kids on the ground."

More heroics

The University of Texas at San Antonio confirmed that psychology lecturer Katheryn Eads died in the Hill Country floods.

• Two of the missing persons are believed to be UTSA students, the university said. (UTSA)

Jewelry line James Avery, founded in Kerrville, is donating all proceeds from the sale of a Texas charm to relief efforts. (Instagram)

The Spurs are joining the NBA, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets and National Basketball Players Association to donate more than $2 million to support flood relief in Texas. (X)

Law enforcement fatally shot a man after he opened fire outside a U.S. Border Patrol facility in McAllen. (Axios)

Authorities in Texas say response and recovery efforts after the devastating floods are being complicated by traffic congestion and uncoordinated donations.

What they're saying: "Our first responders were hampered by heavy traffic yesterday, mostly sightseers who are making things worse. If you're not from here, don't come here to see flood damage," the Kerrville Police Department said yesterday.

What's needed

Supplies like heavy-duty metal freezer shelves, Liquid IV or other electrolyte mixes, cleaning rags, and financial donations (preferably via check to avoid fraud), per Kerr County Commissioner Rich Paces.

• Experienced search and rescue volunteers are needed for tomorrow's search operations. Volunteers should report to the Center Point station by 7:30am.
• Other equipment requests from Texas volunteer fire crews helping in Kerr County include: chainsaws, gas cans and eye protection.

What's not needed

Across the Hill Country, officials are urging the public to hold off on:

• Donating food or bottled water donations. Supplies are already sufficient.
• Conducting uncoordinated drop-offs at fire stations. Instead, use the designated donation site at the Center Point ISD Little Gymnasium.
• Traveling to the area unless part of a response team.

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