In the wake of devastating floods that claimed over a hundred lives, including children, locals in Kerrville, Texas, are rejecting political blame games and turning their efforts toward community support and recovery. Despite allegations that the Trump administration’s budget cuts had left the National Weather Service unprepared, residents emphasize that the floods were an uncontrollable act of nature they could not prevent.
Christian, an Uber driver in his 40s who grew up in Kerrville, described the flood as ‘the system will never be perfect, it just came so fast, there’s nothing you can do with 20 feet of water rising in a half hour.’ He criticized the political focus on placing blame, stating, ‘Now they’re going after the mayor and the fire department. It’s not fair.’
Rob, a newer resident in his 50s, echoed this sentiment, calling the flood a ‘perfect storm’ that occurred during the early morning hours of July 4th, adding, ‘It was just a terrible tragedy.’ This perspective contrasts with the anger seen in North Carolina after last fall’s floods, where the focus was on the aftermath rather than the lead-up.
Residents also dismissed arguments linking the floods to climate change and emphasized the risks of living in close proximity to powerful natural forces. One resident noted, ‘They say that about everything,’ with a roll of the eyes. While some raised concerns about cloud seeding operations, experts suggest these were not the cause of the massive rainfall.
Faith plays a significant role in the community’s response, with churches becoming centers for volunteering and support. Locals are calling for improvements, such as a siren system, to alert residents of flooding, but acknowledge the limitations of such measures. Despite the challenges, the focus remains on aiding one another and continuing the life and growth of their communities in the face of nature’s destructive power.