LIVE BLOG: Lawmakers hear testimony in Kerrville on deadly July 4 floods
AUSTIN (Nexstar) — The joint Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding will meet Thursday in Kerrville, Texas — the site of the deadly Independence Day Floods — for the second time to hear testimony about the preparation and aftermath of the floods.
Last week, lawmakers heard hours of invited testimony from state officials and other invited experts to understand what could be improved. The legislature is currently in special session, tasked with updating flood warning systems and passing a disaster relief package.
The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville. You can watch a livestream of the hearing in the video player above.
The committee is hearing from additional invited guests, as well as members of the public for the first time. Similar to the first hearing, there will be five panels of invited testimony.
Hill Country Leadership Panel: Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly, Kerr County Sheriff Larry L. Leitha, William B. "Dub" Thomas, emergency management coordinator in Kerr County, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr., Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice, William B. Rector of the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, Kendall County Judge Shane Stolarczyk and Real County Judge Bella Rubio
Greater Concho Valley Leadership Panel: Tom Green County Judge Lane Carter, Mason County Judge Sheree Hardin, McCulloch County Judge Frank Trull, San Saba County Judge Jody Fauley and Menard County Judge Brandon Corbin
Central Texas Leadership: Travis County Judge Andy Brown, Williamson County Judge Steven Snell and San Antonio Fire Chief Valerie Frausto.
The committee will also hear from experts in meteorology as well as local mental health leaders.
Stick with this story for live updates as the hearing progresses.