Texas lawmaker urges Gov. Abbott to add 'critical legislation' to special session following floods
Texas flooding: Over 100 deaths reported in CTX
While the extent of the damage across Central Texas is massive, the sheer number of lives lost and those affected is having the most tragic impact on the state
AUSTIN, Texas - A Texas representative is urging Gov. Greg Abbott to add disaster preparedness legislation to the upcoming special session after more than 100 people were killed in flooding across the state.
"Critical legislation" needed
Republican Rep. Drew Darby sent a letter to the governor saying the "critical legislation" failed to pass during the 89th Legislature on Tuesday.
The backstory:
Kerr County does not have outdoor sirens. Previous efforts to install them failed because of the cost. This past legislative session, House Bill 13 would have created an organization to allocate state funding for things like outdoor sirens, but the bill did not make it out of a Senate committee. Even if it had passed, it would not have taken effect until September.
What they're saying:
Darby called for legislation with language similar to House Bill 13, which was filed by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian).
"The legislation should also include provisions to develop and deploy a more sophisticated, statewide emergency alert system – one that ensures timely, localized, and accessible warnings to residents in both urban areas," he wrote. "Lives depend on early notification and the ability to reach Texans quickly and clearly is essential to saving lives during fast-moving disasters."
Texas leaders on new legislation
KERRVILLE, TEXAS - JULY 7: Search and rescue crews work to search a vehicles and debris along the Guadalupe River in Kerville, Monday, July 7, 2025. (Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Dig deeper:
Abbott has already called lawmakers back to Austin on July 21 for a special session.
On Sunday, Abbott said the response to the tragedy in Kerrville is now expected to be a specific topic in the session.
"It’s going to be good to have a session for all members working together with different perspectives. Because the reality is this, what is needed in that river basin in that location can be far different across the state," Abbott said.
Monday morning, Sen. Ted Cruz said this is still a time for search and rescue, and assured the public there will be a time to make changes, whether at the state or federal level.
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The death toll from the July 4th weekend flooding in Central Texas has risen to at least 109. 5 girls remain missing from Camp Mystic in Kerr County.
"Next time, there will be another flood, there will be another disaster, but next time there is a flood, I hope we have in place processes to remove the most vulnerable from harm's way," Cruz said.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick also spoke about the situation on FOX News Monday afternoon.
"Had we had sirens in this area, up and down, the same sirens they have in Israel when an attack is coming, it's possible that would have saved some of these lives," Patrick said.
Texas Flooding
FULL: Texas floods update from Kerrville
Officials provide an update on the flooding in Kerr County and Central Texas, including updated death and missing numbers. 87 people have died in Kerr County as a result of the flooding, including 56 adults and 30 children. Five Camp Mystic campers and one counselor still remain missing.
More than 100 people were killed in flooding across the state of Texas during the July 4th weekend.
Flash flood warnings were issued on the night of July 3 and on the morning of Friday, July 4.
The National Weather Service warned of "life-threatening flooding" in Kerr County shortly after 1 a.m. on Friday.
A flash flood emergency was issued for Kerr County and the Guadalupe River at 5:30 a.m.
The Source: Information in this article comes from a letter by Rep. Drew Darby, comments by Gov. Abbott, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Sen. Ted Cruz and past FOX coverage.