‘Families deserve better!’ Reporter shames official fleeing presser after flood

Key Takeaways:

• Over 50 deaths reported from floods in Kerrville, Texas.
• City Manager Dalton Rice cut short a press conference after two questions.
• Reporters pressed on ignored warnings from Texas Emergency Management.
• No emergency alerts or evacuations were issued despite flood warnings.
• Eleven children remain missing, amplifying demands for transparency.

Devastating Floods Leave Kerrville Reeling

Kerrville, Texas, is grappling with the aftermath of deadly floods that have claimed the lives of more than 50 residents. As the community mourns, questions are mounting over the city’s handling of the disaster and the apparent lack of emergency preparedness.

Press Conference Cut Short

On Sunday, City Manager Dalton Rice held a press conference intended to address the crisis. However, Rice abruptly ended the session after just two questions, offering scant details about the ongoing situation. “We want to make sure that we continue to focus—we still have 11 missing children that we want to get reunited with their families,” Rice stated before quickly exiting the room. “Until we can get reunited with our families, we are not going to stop until we do.”

Reporter’s Urgent Questions Go Unanswered

A reporter confronted Rice with pressing concerns: “Despite TEM’s warning on July 2nd and July 3rd that something like this could have happened, that the threat existed, why that information didn’t get down at the camps and why they weren’t evacuated.” The query referenced warnings from Texas Emergency Management issued in the days leading up to the floods.

As Rice departed, the reporter shouted after him, “Sir, was any emergency alert given out on the 4th that morning of? Did anyone get an alert? Sir, there are families who deserve better than that!” The reporter’s insistence highlighted the frustration felt by many in the community over the lack of timely communication and action.

Warnings Ignored Amid Rising Waters

The crux of the concern centers on why no emergency alerts were disseminated and why evacuations were not ordered, despite clear warnings of potential flooding. The Texas Emergency Management had cautioned authorities on July 2nd and 3rd about the imminent threat, yet the necessary precautions appear not to have been implemented.

Families Desperate for Answers

With eleven children still missing, the emotional toll on families is immeasurable. The community’s demand for transparency and accountability continues to grow as residents seek answers about the failures that may have exacerbated the tragedy.

A Community Demands Accountability

The situation in Kerrville underscores the vital importance of effective emergency management and transparent communication between officials and the public. As the search for the missing continues and the community begins to heal, the demand for a thorough investigation into the city’s response is likely to persist.

In these trying times, the people of Kerrville look to their leaders for guidance and honesty. The unanswered questions and abrupt dismissal of concerns only intensify the community’s need for clarity and assurance that such a tragedy will not happen again.