The aftermath of the devastating July 4 floods in Texas has prompted the state’s emergency management chief to propose critical recommendations to lawmakers. Among these suggestions is the need to empower the agency to vet volunteers who arrive in the wake of disasters and to create clearer protocols for local officials regarding the decision to conduct autopsies during mass casualty incidents.
Another significant concern raised by Nim Kidd, Chief of the Texas Division of Emergency Management, is the lack of mandated training for local emergency management coordinators. Unlike their counterparts in law enforcement and firefighting, these coordinators, responsible for disaster response planning and execution, are not required to have formal training. “It’s time we establish a baseline for individuals appointed to these positions,” Kidd emphasized during a legislative hearing on July 23.
Nearly nine months later, during a legislative committee review in April, Kidd reiterated the need for reform, stating, “To be an emergency management coordinator in Texas, all you need is a mayor or judge’s signature. That needs to change.” Unfortunately, two bills aimed at addressing these issues failed to pass during the last special legislative session of 2025. Consequently, as the first anniversary of the floods approaches, many local leaders across Texas’ 254 counties and cities can still appoint coordinators with no formal emergency management training.
In response to the floods, which claimed over 130 lives, state lawmakers mandated the installation of flood warning sirens in areas historically affected by flooding. In Kerr County, where the majority of the fatalities occurred, six out of eight planned sirens have been successfully installed.
Additionally, the legislature enacted two camp safety bills, driven by the tragic deaths of 27 girls at Camp Mystic. These laws require camps to enhance their emergency plans and relocate cabins away from flood-prone areas near rivers. State data indicates that nearly 300 camps have complied with the new regulations.
Legislators will have another chance to consider Kidd’s recommendations when they reconvene for their regular session in January. “We have work to do next session,” said state Senator Charles Perry, a Republican from Lubbock who sponsored the unsuccessful licensing bill. “We don’t have to start from ground zero.”
Leadership Gaps
On the morning of July 4, then-Kerr County Emergency Management Coordinator William “Dub” Thomas was notably absent, having taken ill days prior. Legislative investigators later found no evidence of Kerr County representation in a state emergency preparedness call the day before, which could have provided critical updates on impending storms.
County Judge Rob Kelly was away at his lake house during the holiday, and according to the county’s emergency plan, the absence of both officials should have led to the most senior county commissioner stepping in, while a designated delegate should have filled Thomas’s role.
The investigation revealed that Kerr County officials largely disregarded state alerts and warnings. They failed to engage in effective local emergency coordination before the storm, leading to a significant lack of preparedness. As flooding commenced, the county judge was unaware of the situation, and the emergency coordinator was incapacitated, leaving no one in charge as the crisis unfolded.
In the early hours of that fateful morning, a 911 call was made at 2:52 a.m. from upstream on the Guadalupe River, warning of rapidly rising water levels. The flooding began to escalate around this time, peaking in Kerrville, the county seat, shortly before 7 a.m., as per US Geological Survey data.
As the situation evolved, county law enforcement took charge of the response. Text messages exchanged among Sheriff’s Office officials, which were obtained through a public records request, highlighted the chaos they faced. By 7:18 a.m., they were coordinating evacuee placements, and discussions continued throughout the morning about media staging and resources.
“In the midst of a response, confusion is common regarding resource allocation and evolving circumstances,” noted Samantha Montano, an associate professor of emergency management at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “This is why having an emergency manager is crucial for overseeing operations and disseminating accurate information.”
Thomas, who had spent much of his career with the Texas Highway Patrol before becoming the regional preparedness manager for the American Red Cross, had completed various emergency management training courses prior to the flood, according to county records. He retired from his position in March, while Judge Kelly opted not to seek reelection this year.
Kerr County commissioners appointed Shorey Harmon, the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s liaison officer for Kerr and Bandera counties, as Thomas’s successor. Harmon, who previously served in the U.S. Navy and worked with Texas Parks and Wildlife and Texas A&M Forest Service, became a TDEM cadet in 2022, attending the inaugural emergency management academy in the United States.
A Growing Field
The emergency management profession is relatively new, originating from Cold War-era concerns about nuclear threats. As the complexities and costs of emergency management have increased, the field has evolved significantly, encompassing much more than immediate disaster responses.
A recent study from Argonne National Laboratory highlighted the importance of the professional backgrounds of emergency management directors. It found that most local directors had over a decade of experience in the field, with nearly one-third aged between 50 and 59. One participant noted that many directors historically lack formal training in emergency management.
In 2024, Florida lawmakers introduced legislation mandating minimum emergency training for all county managers. “We no longer have a choice,” Lavarias stated. “Given the nature of the hazards we face and their far-reaching impacts, along with the political and socioeconomic complexities, we need much more than what we currently have.”
