City manager’s controversial texts revealed after Kerrville flood disaster

Metropolis officers in Kerrville have been largely unprepared on the devastating floods that hit Hill Nation on July 4, in accordance with newly launched metropolis communication, together with E -mails and SMS messages obtained by ksat By way of public register requests.

The paperwork embody a textual content trade through which Kerrville Metropolis Supervisor Dalton Rice was concerned, through which he appeared to mock the American Minister of the Inside Safety Kristi.

Hours for a press convention of 5 July, held along with federal, state and native officers to replace the viewers on rescue efforts, a metropolis worker smsled rice, “did you want Homeland Barbie. How are she?”

Rice replied: “Actually Homeland Barbie”, adopted by a collection of laughter.

Name that criticism of the federal reactions to floods of Texas ‘all politics’ is: ‘unhealthy service to our nation’

Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Title participates in a spherical desk occasion with President Donald Trump within the Hill Nation Youth Occasion Heart to debate floods on 11 July 2025 in Kerrville, Texas. (Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP by way of getty photos/chip somodevilla/getty photos)

The nickname and comparable phrases equivalent to “Ice Barbie” are unfold on-line to sate since her appointment as a DHS secretary earlier this 12 months.

The trade has raised eyebrows given the severity of the catastrophe response and rising criticism of the way it was handled.

Senator Chris Murphy, D-Conn., Has sharply criticized the federal response, claiming that it was politically motivated. Though he didn’t instantly blame the floods themselves, Murphy accused the Trump authorities of the undermining of FEMA’s readiness, and claimed that FEMA employees was fired whereas victims of flooding referred to as the company actively referred to as for assist.

Noeem defended the federal response in an interview Fox Information SundayEarlier this month, drifting again on allegations of delay.

She said that greater than 700 FEMA staff have been on the bottom inside a number of hours after a telephone name with Texas officers. She additionally famous that the coast guard was began instantly after that dialog.

Regardless of her protection, preserve regarding each the state and on the native stage.

Trump administration in Texas Flood catastrophe response ‘Basic totally different’ of the strategy of Biden: Title

Rain falls over an improvised monument for victims of flooding alongside the Guadalupe River, Sunday 13 July 2025, in Kerrville, Texas. (AP Photograph/Eric Homosexual) (AP Photograph/Eric Homosexual)

On the State stage, Texas officers have lengthy opposed calls to implement a warning siring system alongside the Guadalupe River, the place the floods turned out to be essentially the most deadly. Critics declare that such a system might have saved lives.

Individually, a controversial reorganization led by the Division of Authorities Effectivity (Doge) of the Trump Authorities to the dismissal of an essential nationwide climate service Emergency Coordination Officer just a few months earlier than the catastrophe, which raised extra questions on institutional readyness.

Kerrville and the encircling communities have left the tragedy that demand duty and systemic reform earlier than the following storm strikes.

Title RIPS CNN report that claimed that she has postponed the DHS response to the flood of Texas as ‘absolute waste’

DHS Secretary Kristi Title and Gov. Greg Abbott talk about the continual efforts for latest floods alongside the Guadalupe River throughout a press convention in Ingram, Texas, on Saturday. (AP Photograph/Rodolfo Gonzalez)

See also  Eastpointe City Council extends offer to potential city manager

The catastrophic floods claimed at the very least 137 lives in Texas, with 108 fatalities that have been reported in Kerr County alone. Among the many useless have been 27 campers and employees in Camp Mystic, a centuries -old Christian summer season camp for ladies within the metropolis of Hunt.

Authorities at the moment are investigating whether or not Camp Mystic officers acquired earlier than the tragedy and responded in the best approach to flash flame warnings.

Click on right here to get the Fox Information app

The incident has raised broader questions on how youth camps and different weak establishments assess and act on quickly evolving climate threats.

FOX Information Digital reached Kerrville Metropolis Supervisor Dalton Rice and the town officers of Kerrville, however acquired no response.

Stephen Sorace and Asher Redd from Fox Information have contributed to this report.

Stepheny Value is a author for FOX Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. She offers with subjects, together with lacking individuals, murders, nationwide crime instances, unlawful immigration and extra. Story suggestions and concepts could be despatched to stepheny.value@fox.com