Introduction to Texas Floods
In July, historic flooding in Texas left over 130 people dead, with the majority of the casualties occurring in Kerr County. The flooding was particularly devastating in areas around the Guadalupe River, which is home to many popular summer camps. In response to the disaster, Governor Greg Abbott vowed that the state legislature would pass meaningful flood-related measures in their upcoming special session.
New Rules for Texas Youth Camps and Campsites
The floods were especially devastating in Kerr County, where 119 people were killed. Nearly 40 children, mostly campers, were killed in the floods. In response, lawmakers passed two key pieces of legislation focused on tightening safety measures for camps. House Bill 1 requires that every overnight youth camp create a written emergency plan, which must be approved by the governor’s office. The plan must include procedures for emergency situations such as flash floods, and campers must be taught what to do in case of an emergency. The bill also requires camps to train staff and volunteers on emergency procedures.
Senate Bill 1 covers similar ground but also applies to campgrounds, including RV parks and camp sites. The bill prohibits camps from building new cabins in floodplains unless specific safety requirements are met. Camps will also be required to notify parents about any existing cabins located in floodplains, requiring them to sign a form acknowledging that they’ve been informed. Additionally, SB 1 requires camps to have several disaster alert tools on site, such as real-time weather radios and emergency public address systems.
Emergency Preparedness Measures
The legislature also passed a measure to help Texans be more aware when a life-threatening event is headed their way. Senate Bill 3 establishes a $50 million grant program to help local communities pay for siren equipment. The bill aims to add flood warning sirens along high-risk areas, which can help get people to higher ground and save lives. The Texas Water Development Board will identify the state’s most high-risk flood areas and prioritize communities for the grant program.
Another measure, Senate Bill 18, allows certain local government agencies to maintain and repair flood-control dams without getting a state water permit first. Supporters of the measure say it will speed up dam maintenance, reduce the risk of dam failures, erosion, and flooding.
New Funding for Flood Relief Efforts
In response to the Texas Hill Country flooding, the state legislature passed a measure that directs recovery funding to the areas most affected by July’s floods. Senate Bill 5 creates three separate pots of money: a $200 million funding match for federal disaster money, $50 million for a grant program for local government agencies to purchase flood warning equipment, and $28 million for grants to improve the accuracy of the state’s weather forecasting.
Scam Protection and Volunteer Accreditation
After natural disasters, there are often people looking to help, but there are also those who use the opportunity to prey on vulnerable people. To address this, the Texas Legislature approved House Bill 20, also known as the Disaster Scam Response Act. The bill creates a voluntary accreditation program for nonprofits that raise money for disaster relief, providing official seals to accredited groups to show their legitimacy. HB 20 also creates new criminal penalties associated with malicious solicitation and impersonating a disaster volunteer with the intent of stealing.
Conclusion
The Texas Legislature has taken significant steps to address the devastating floods that occurred in July. The new laws and measures aim to improve emergency preparedness, provide funding for flood relief efforts, and protect Texans from scams. While some lawmakers believe the legislation may go too far and could hurt camps, the overall goal is to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. With the passage of these bills, Texas is taking a crucial step towards mitigating the effects of natural disasters and keeping its citizens safe.
