Lawmakers and survivors demand answers about response delays during the Kerr County floods.
SAN ANTONIO — In a 13-hour hearing regarding the Kerr County floods, survivors and lawmakers are demanding answers about delays and resources during the Fourth of July floods.
KENS 5 looked at how outside agencies, including San Antonio’s fire department, stepped in, and what leaders say must change before the next disaster.
SAFD and Travis County crews were key in early rescues on July 4. Officials say the toll on responders highlights the need for faster responses and better resource management in the future.
San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto describes what teams had to face in the tragedy along Perrin Beitel that took 13 lives.
“I wonder if it had made any bit of difference if we’d made it there faster and that highlights the speed and extreme nature of these type of events,” Frausto said.
Less than a month later fire department crews would face floods again in the Hill Country.
“They ended up having to board their boats that were on their trailers in order to save themselves,” Frausto said.
And the flooding in Kerr County created a struggle for even the most experienced.
“They resorted to cutting fences, essentially scrambling to run away from the water, they were very much overwhelmed,” Frausto said.
Travis County crews were also deployed to the Hill Country in those first hours.
“When weather permitted, Star Flight Two responded to Hunt and was one of the first aircrafts to make it into the area,” Travis County Judge Andy Brown said.
Brown detailed their ability to monitor the floods and says there was no worry for Travis County the night of July 4.
Then July 5 came.
“12:41 a.m. the National Weather Service escalates to a national flood emergency at our request and it stays out until 5 a.m.,” Brown said.
Their focus remains on how to react and prepare as alerts are issued.
“If we are aware and alerted of these conditions early and we have the avenues to escape we can avoid an incident much less a disaster. The key requests: relief and recovery fund for when damages fall short of FEMA threshold’s as San Antonio just did, funding for enhanced warning systems and funding for the flood infrastructure,” Frausto said.