July 23, 2025
We need to find out what happened. We need to know for us to go forward and make sure that we prevent the loss of life on the scale.
State Senator José Menéndez (D-TX), who will serve on a joint select committee examining disaster preparedness and flooding in Texas.
Why It Matters: The state legislature convened Monday for a special session to address the deadly July 4 flood that killed over 135 individuals. Topics discussed included flood warning systems/emergency communications as well as relief funding. More than 100 of the victims were in Kerr County at the time of the disaster, which is home to children’s camps and RV campsites. “Government’s natural inclination is to overreact, and so I want to make sure that we don’t have that happening,” said State Rep. Wes Virdell (R), who represents Kerr County. Potential redistricting is also on the agenda for discussion.
Learn More:
- Texas officials begin state investigation into July 4 flood disaster (CNN)
- The Texas Legislature is back for a special session. Here’s what we’re watching. (Texas Tribune)
Image Credit: Associated Press
by Stephanie Wagner, based in Florida
