As the death toll from the devastating floods across Central Texas climbs, Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. faced sharp criticism Wednesday for his tone during a tense press conference updating the public on recovery efforts.
During a Q&A session with reporters, Herring lashed out at members of the press for shouting questions, telling them, “Guess what? You’re in Kerrville and we’re going to do it my way.”
Kerrville mayor to the press: “Guess what? You’re in Kerrville and we’re going to do it my way.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 9, 2025
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He added, “If you feel the need to yell your questions, I will feel the need to not answer your question. In first grade they raise their hands. That might be a good start.”
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. to the press: “If you feel the need to yell your questions, I will feel the need to not answer your question. In first grade they raise their hands. That might be a good start.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) July 9, 2025
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The comments came as state and local officials provided updates on the ongoing emergency response following the flash flooding that began on July 4.
According to officials, at least 119 people have been confirmed dead across six counties, with Kerr County accounting for 59 adults and 36 children among the deceased.
Another 173 individuals remain unaccounted for as search and rescue operations continue.
“The recent numbers reported break my heart, and they break the heart of everyone up here, everyone who has been working since July the Fourth,” Herring said during his prepared remarks before the Q&A.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott also addressed the ongoing efforts, stating that search operations “will not stop until every missing person is accounted for.”
Abbott has ordered all flags across the state to be flown at half-staff through Monday to honor the victims.
“The flags of the State of Texas shall be lowered statewide immediately to half-staff in mourning for those who lost their lives in the floods,” the governor said in a letter to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Ordered Texas flags to half-staff until sunrise on July 14 to honor those whose lives were tragically lost in the recent floods.
Texas stands united in mourning.
May God bring comfort to every family affected and strength to our first responders.
More: https://t.co/fIa54wFVFD pic.twitter.com/eYrortXMGj
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) July 9, 2025
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha responded to public questions surrounding the effectiveness of the county’s emergency alert system, Code Red, and whether enough was done to warn residents.
“I believe those questions need to be answered, to the family of the missed loved ones, to the public, you know, to the people that put me in this office,” Leitha said, according to NBC.
“I want that answer, and we’re going to get that answer.”
Leitha also stressed that the department would not shy away from investigations into the emergency response.
“We’re not running, we’re not going to hide from anything that’s going to be checked into at a later time. I wish I could tell you that time. I don’t know that time,” he said.
Emergency crews remain active in the Texas Hill Country and along the I-35 corridor, where search and recovery operations are being complicated by ongoing weather conditions.
Elsewhere, flash flooding in Ruidoso, New Mexico, resulted in three additional fatalities.
The mountain town, still recovering from wildfire damage last year, saw dangerous conditions as heavy rain overwhelmed local infrastructure.
🚨 BREAKING: A MASSIVE flooding event is unfolding right now in Ruidoso, New Mexico
A large structure can be seen being swept down the river
The water level has risen 20 FEET in a matter of 30 minutes, shattering previous records, per @MaxVelocityWX
Pray for these folks 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/zusPXT2MCP
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) July 8, 2025
The disaster response in Texas is ongoing, with officials urging residents to remain vigilant as conditions continue to evolve.
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