Kerr County officials dodge questions on flood response; sheriff learned of floods hours after alert
Four days after flash floods in central Texas killed more than 100 people, Kerr County officials repeatedly seemed to dodge and deflect questions from reporters Tuesday about when they knew the floods would pose a deadly threat, and refused to commit to a timeline of their official response.
Despite the National Weather Service’s first public warning alert at 1:14 a.m. on July 4, Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha told reporters he was not made aware of the flash floods until “between 4 and 5” that morning.
“We understand you have many questions. We understand that. But right now, this team up here is focused on bringing people home,” Lt. Colonel Ben Baker of the Texas Game Wardens said. “That’s our focus.”
Death toll rises to 108 in Texas floods
Texas Department of Public Safety Troopers load a recovered body into the back of a vehicle near the Guadalupe River on Monday
Search operations continue in central Texas, where Texas Parks and Wildlife has boots on the ground, Texas Game Warden Lt. Colonel Ben Baker said in a news conference Tuesday.
Baker said responders are working to navigate large piles of debris “layer by layer” as they search.
Wellness professionals are on hand to support responders as they deal with difficult recoveries, Baker said.
“We process it the best we can,” he said when asked about the mental toll that the search operation has had on officials.
“It’s very tragic whenever you see human life, but to see a child and that loss of life is extremely tragic,” Baker added
