Kerr County Flood Disaster: How Warnings Went Unheard and a Community Was Left Exposed

14 July 2025

Paul Francis

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Historic beige brick building with tall windows, surrounded by green trees and dry grass, under a clear blue sky. Quiet and serene setting. — Kerr County Courthouse by Jimmy Emerson from Flickr

More than 120 people are confirmed dead following the worst flooding event in Kerr County's recorded history. A further 40 remain missing. The floodwaters, triggered by a slow-moving storm system over Texas Hill Country, swept through communities, destroyed property, and overwhelmed emergency services with a scale and speed that has stunned both residents and experts.

Among the dead are dozens of children and staff from Camp Mystic, a century-old summer retreat nestled along the Guadalupe River. Entire cabins were washed away as the water rose rapidly during the early hours of 8 July. Family members, camp staff, and first responders have described scenes of chaos and devastation. Many were unable to flee in time due to a complete lack of outdoor warning systems or coordinated evacuation orders.

The tragedy has sparked national scrutiny. The extreme weather event itself was devastating, but much of the attention is now focused on the long-standing decisions by local and state leaders that left the region vulnerable. The flood has become a case study in what happens when the changing climate collides with outdated infrastructure and political inaction.

A Flood Like No Other

Meteorologists have described the Kerr County flood as an extreme, low-probability event. More than 20 inches of rain fell in under 36 hours, most of it focused over the Upper Guadalupe watershed. The rain was delivered by a mesoscale convective vortex, a type of rotating storm system that formed from the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry. The system was fuelled by abnormally warm Gulf waters.

Raging brown river water splashes violently, creating frothy waves. A dark, blurred background adds to the chaotic, intense scene.

The result was a powerful and prolonged deluge. River gauges in the county recorded rises of over 14 feet in less than three hours. Flash flooding destroyed bridges, submerged entire neighbourhoods in Kerrville and Hunt, and rendered several major roads impassable.

Emergency responders were overwhelmed. Communication systems failed as power and mobile towers went offline. In some of the most affected areas, including camps and rural homes near the river, there were no sirens, no public address warnings, and in many cases no time to act.

The Role of Climate Change

Climatologists have long warned that Texas Hill Country is becoming a high-risk zone for extreme weather. The frequency and severity of rainfall events in the region have increased significantly over the past 30 years. This trend is strongly linked to climate change.

Rising global temperatures allow the atmosphere to hold more moisture. For every degree Celsius of warming, the air can hold approximately 7 percent more water vapour. This makes storms more intense and more likely to stall over a single area. In this case, the combination of tropical moisture and blocked atmospheric flow created the conditions for a record-breaking rainfall event.

Texas State Climatologist Dr. John Nielsen-Gammon said the flood was consistent with expected climate trends. “We are seeing more of these slow-moving, high-intensity storms. The Hill Country’s steep terrain and narrow river valleys make it especially vulnerable to flash flooding when rainfall exceeds certain thresholds. What was once a one-in-500-year event may now occur every 50 to 100 years.”

The Upper Guadalupe River, which flows through Kerr County, has flooded before. Notably in 2002, 2015, and 2018. But none of those events reached the scale or lethality of the 2025 flood. The difference this time, many argue, is that the community was warned. Just not in time.

Years of Political Reluctance

A growing chorus of critics points not only to climate change, but to a long-standing reluctance by local and state officials to invest in flood warning infrastructure. Despite repeated recommendations from federal and state agencies, Kerr County remains one of several counties in Texas without an outdoor warning siren network.

Meeting records show that since at least 2016, local emergency managers and community members had requested funding or grant applications for flood mitigation systems. These included river-level monitoring, automated warning sirens, and dedicated evacuation protocols for high-risk areas like summer camps.

In 2021, Kerr County received over 10 million dollars in federal COVID-era relief funds. None of it was allocated to emergency flood systems. Instead, funds were used for public safety radio upgrades, employee bonuses, and general infrastructure repairs. Commissioners cited sirens as costly, difficult to maintain, and ineffective in the area’s hilly terrain.

State Representative Andrew Murr, who represents the region, has in the past opposed mandatory siren installations across rural counties. He argued that local control and personal responsibility were more effective than state-level mandates. “People have phones, they can monitor the weather,” he said during a 2022 debate on rural emergency funding.

Yet during the July flood, mobile alerts were delayed or unavailable. Poor cell reception and power outages rendered the county’s primary warning method, phone-based notifications, useless for thousands.

Critics argue that political decisions were driven less by cost and more by ideology. “This wasn’t about money,” said Dr. Laura Gutierrez, a public safety expert. “It was about governance. Sirens are common across flood-prone areas of the Midwest and South. Kerr County officials chose not to invest in them despite decades of warnings.”

Estimated costs for a full siren system across the county were projected at between 900,000 and 1.2 million dollars. For comparison, that is roughly 4 percent of the county’s annual budget.

A Human Toll

The aftermath has been devastating. Entire families have been displaced. Dozens of children from multiple states are dead or missing. Mental health teams and federal disaster crews have been dispatched to the region.

In Kerrville, emergency shelters are full. Churches, schools, and community centres have opened their doors, with residents offering food, bedding, and transport. The Red Cross has set up mobile stations for medical aid and reunification.

In nearby Ingram, firefighters and volunteers continue to search riverbanks and debris fields. Many of the dead were swept miles downstream.

President Trump has declared a major disaster in Central Texas. This unlocks federal funds for rescue and rebuilding. But for grieving families and traumatised communities, no amount of aid will reverse the losses already endured.

What Happens Next

Under pressure from both residents and national media, Kerr County officials have announced a rapid review of emergency preparedness protocols. County Judge Rob Kelly, who had previously defended budget decisions, admitted this week that “there were serious gaps in our readiness.”

Representative Murr has now called for a special legislative session to explore statewide funding for flood sirens and other early warning systems. The Texas Department of Emergency Management has pledged 20 million dollars to help rural counties modernise their flood response plans.

Meanwhile, federal agencies, including the Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA, are working with local planners to reassess floodplain maps, install real-time monitoring stations, and train staff in rapid deployment protocols.

A siren installation plan is expected to be finalised by autumn. The county will also explore integrating its systems with NOAA’s “StormReady” programme, a certification that has long been available but never pursued by Kerr County.

The Kerr County flood of 2025 was not simply a natural disaster. It was the outcome of multiple systems under pressure. Environmental, political, and infrastructural factors all failed in critical ways.

Climate change increased the storm’s power. Political inaction removed potential layers of defence. In the middle stood communities that believed they were safe, until the river rose faster than anyone thought possible.

Now, the task before Kerr County is not just to rebuild. It is to finally prepare for a future that is no longer theoretical.

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The Lost Legends of Cinema: Films That Never Came to Be

Connor Banks
Aug 12, 2024
3 min read

In the glittering world of Hollywood, not all dreams make it to the silver screen. Some projects, despite their enormous potential and the star-studded talent attached to them, remain forever in the realm of "what could have been." Among these are some of the most intriguing and ambitious films never made, each with its own unique story that has captivated the imaginations of fans and filmmakers alike. From Alejandro Jodorowsky’s psychedelic epic to George Miller’s ambitious superhero ensemble, these unproduced films offer a glimpse into alternate cinematic realities.

Jodorowsky's Dune: The Psychedelic Epic

Jodorowsky's Dune stands out as perhaps the most legendary of these unfinished projects. In the mid-1970s, avant-garde filmmaker Alejandro Jodorowsky embarked on an audacious quest to adapt Frank Herbert’s science fiction masterpiece, "Dune." His vision was nothing short of revolutionary, intending to create a 10-14 hour cinematic experience that would transcend traditional film and become a transformative journey for viewers. Jodorowsky assembled an extraordinary team, including surrealist artist Salvador Dalí, Orson Welles, Mick Jagger, and H.R. Giger, with a soundtrack by Pink Floyd. Despite the staggering talent and creativity involved, the project was ultimately deemed too ambitious and costly. Financial and logistical issues, combined with Hollywood's reluctance to back such an unconventional vision, led to its demise. The story of "Jodorowsky’s Dune" was later immortalised in a 2013 documentary, offering a fascinating look at what might have been and showcasing the profound influence it had on future science fiction films.

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote: A Dream Delayed

The Man Who Killed Don Quixote concept art piece

Equally compelling is Terry Gilliam’s "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote." Gilliam, known for his work with Monty Python and his uniquely surreal directorial style, spent nearly three decades attempting to bring this project to life. The film, a loose adaptation of Miguel de Cervantes’ classic novel, faced an extraordinary array of setbacks. The initial production in 2000 was plagued by natural disasters, financial issues, and a severe back injury suffered by lead actor Jean Rochefort. These calamities, captured in the documentary "Lost in La Mancha," halted the project, and subsequent attempts to revive it faced similar challenges. It wasn’t until 2018 that Gilliam finally completed the film, though it differed significantly from his original vision. The journey of "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" remains a testament to artistic perseverance, highlighting the often tumultuous path from script to screen.

Atuk: The Cursed Comedy

"Atuk," based on Mordecai Richler’s novel "The Incomparable Atuk," has earned its place in Hollywood legend due to the so-called "Atuk curse." This comedy about an Inuit navigating the modern urban jungle was attached to several high-profile actors, each of whom died under tragic and unexpected circumstances before production could begin. John Belushi, Sam Kinison, John Candy, and Chris Farley all expressed interest or were cast in the lead role, only to meet untimely deaths. The eerie pattern of misfortune has led to a macabre fascination with the project, ensuring that "Atuk" remains one of the most infamous unproduced films in history.

Batman: Year One: The Dark Reimagining

Concept of Gotham City as seen from Above

In the realm of superhero cinema, Darren Aronofsky’s "Batman: Year One" represents a radical departure from the traditional portrayals of the Dark Knight. Aronofsky, known for his dark and psychologically intense films, envisioned a gritty reboot of Batman that would strip the character down to his essence. This version of Bruce Wayne would lose his fortune, live on the streets, and don a makeshift costume. Despite the intriguing premise, Warner Bros. ultimately chose a different path, opting for Christopher Nolan’s "Batman Begins," which balanced realism with a more traditional narrative. Aronofsky’s bold vision remains a fascinating "what if" scenario, reflecting the creative risks involved in reimagining iconic characters.

Justice League: Mortal: The Superhero Ensemble That Almost Was

Finally, George Miller’s "Justice League: Mortal" was an ambitious attempt to bring together DC Comics' most iconic superheroes in a single film long before the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With a cast that included Armie Hammer as Batman, D.J. Cotrona as Superman, and Megan Gale as Wonder Woman, the project promised a sprawling, epic narrative. However, it was plagued by a series of setbacks, including the 2007-2008 Writers Guild of America strike, financial issues, and concerns over audience confusion due to multiple actors playing the same characters in different franchises. Despite never being made, "Justice League: Mortal" has become a source of endless speculation and interest, illustrating the complexities and challenges of launching a shared cinematic universe.

The Allure of the Unmade

These unproduced films, each with their unique blend of ambition, talent, and misfortune, offer a tantalising glimpse into the alternate realities of cinema. They stand as reminders of the fragile nature of filmmaking, where even the most promising projects can falter and fall into the realm of legend. Yet, their stories continue to inspire, serving as both cautionary tales and sources of endless fascination for those who dream of what might have been.