Just Weeks Before Session, Texas Confronts Long-Ignored Flood Reform Demands

As the death toll from this weekend’s catastrophic Hill Country floods climbs to 87, including 30 children in Kerr County, Texas lawmakers are pledging urgent reforms. With the Legislature set to reconvene on July 21 for a special session, there’s a chance to address long-standing gaps in the state’s emergency systems. Governor Greg Abbott, who controls the agenda, confirmed that the flooding will be included, noting that different regions may require distinct solutions depending on geography and risk.

 “What happened in Kerrville is going to be a topic for the special session to address,” Abbott said Sunday, noting that different regions of Texas may require tailored solutions depending on their geography and risk.

One key priority is improving flood warning infrastructure, especially with traditional siren systems. Senator Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) plans to file legislation to help counties install sirens, saying they remain effective, particularly in rural areas where cell phone alerts may fail at night. Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said the state should step in if cities can’t or won’t fund sirens. Senator Sarah Eckhardt (D-Austin) emphasized that many rural areas lack the tax base for such systems and need state support.

In addition to sirens, lawmakers are looking at modern flood detection technologies, such as radar-based tools and real-time sensors. Dr. Nick Fang, a UT Arlington flood expert, said that low-cost, solar-powered sensors could be effective in cash-strapped rural counties and require minimal staffing. Kerr County, for example, failed to secure $1 million in 2016 to implement such a system, despite several attempts to get local and state support, something Fang says now shows the need for dedicated state funding.

Lawmakers are also revisiting bills that failed during the regular session, including House Bill 13, which aimed to create an emergency response council but died in the Senate. Co-author Rep. Joe Moody (D-El Paso) says it needs urgent reconsideration. Similarly, Rep. Rafael Anchía (D-Dallas) plans to refile House Bill 2618, which would require state agencies to develop climate adaptation plans. Anchía criticized the state’s reactive approach and called for proactive planning.

Broader flood infrastructure funding is also under review. Since 2019, Texas has allocated $670 million, a small portion of the estimated $54 billion needed. That fund is now part of the Texas Water Fund, which lawmakers hope to seed with $1 billion annually through 2047. Still, flood projects may now compete with other water-related priorities. As lawmakers prepare for the session, they may also draw from recent models, such as special committees formed after the 2023 Hurricane Beryl and 2024 Panhandle wildfires, to pursue more direct and lasting policy changes.

With the session just weeks away, lawmakers have a rare chance to turn years of warnings into concrete reforms.