Kerr County Floods Again 1 Year After 119 Deaths as Texas Keeps Lax Building Rules
Updated
Updated · The Texas Tribune · Aug 24
Kerr County Floods Again 1 Year After 119 Deaths as Texas Keeps Lax Building Rules
2 articles · Updated · The Texas Tribune · Aug 24
Summary
One person died in Kerr County last month when unusually intense rainfall flooded some of the same Texas Hill Country areas devastated in 2025.
The repeat flooding hit while many residents were still rebuilding, and state, county and federal rules still generally allow damaged homes in flood-prone areas to be repaired or rebuilt.
Texas lawmakers did not tighten statewide home-building rules or RV park siting after last year's disaster, though more than 40 people died at two Kerr County RV campgrounds and at least 119 people died countywide.
A youth-camp law did pass after 27 campers and counselors died at Camp Mystic, but broader development restrictions have not advanced even as Texas trails more than half of states on stricter elevation rules.
Residents such as Joan Connor, 82, and Laura Cane, 65, still plan to rebuild again, underscoring how financial ties and deep roots keep people in places repeatedly exposed to flood risk.