KERR COUNTY, Texas — The Kerr County Commissioners Court on Monday in July 2025 unanimously voted to extend a local declaration of disaster tied to severe storms and flooding that began July 3 and approved a seven-day extension of a temporary suspension of some Texas Public Information Act response requirements while search-and-rescue and recovery operations continue.

County Judge (name not provided) said the court would reestablish a burn ban effective 5 p.m. the same day and asked commissioners for consent. The court proceeded into agenda business after receiving assent.

The action came as law enforcement, county crews and state and federal partners continued search-and-rescue and recovery work across the county. Kerr County Sheriff (name not provided) told the court that operations remained focused on locating and identifying victims and supporting families. "Reunited family remains our top priority," he said in a public briefing, and he gave a rolling count of recoveries and identifications.

Sheriff (name not provided) reported, "As of 08:30 this morning, we've recovered 75 deceased in Kerr County, including 48 adults and 27 children. 15 adults and 9 children are pending identification." He added that counts were changing during the meeting and asked the public to avoid closed areas so responders can work.

Kenneth Bell, section chief for infrastructure at the Texas Division of Emergency Management and incident support task force lead for recovery, briefed the court on damage assessment and recovery coordination. Bell said damage-assessment teams were mapping affected areas and that about 47 personnel were conducting assessments countywide to inform tactical plans. He said four shelter/reunification centers were being tracked and multiple donation and feeding sites were operating.

Bell warned that unsolicited donations can overwhelm local response and called donations "the disaster within the disaster." He urged volunteers to check in at the volunteer reception center at the Salvation Army so their hours and work can be tracked and potentially matched for federal reimbursement. "If volunteers go to the VRC, the county gets credit for that for reimbursement," he said, and noted professional volunteer organizations (VOADs) are coordinating trained teams that carry liability insurance and structure.

Kelly (last name not provided), who is overseeing road and bridge operations for the county, updated the court on road clearances and damage. She said most crossings have been made passable for emergency vehicles and residents but that some sites remain impassable. Kelly said some large debris piles — including uprooted cypress trees and root balls at sites called Arrowhead and Seagull — will require larger equipment than the county has available and that temporary debris storage sites must meet permitting and environmental stipulations.

County staff and stakeholders discussed debris management, permitting and burn-site requirements with reference to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). Judge (name not provided) said burn permits typically can be processed quickly but that TCEQ will not allow burns within a quarter-mile of the river; the court and staff are identifying alternate sites.

Officials repeatedly asked residents to stay out of closed areas, especially Highway 39 west of Ingram Loop, to keep access clear for emergency vehicles and search teams. The sheriff said that unauthorized volunteers and well-meaning residents who drive into operations create extra work and can slow emergency response.

On procedural items, the court voted unanimously to extend the disaster declaration and to extend the suspension of certain Texas Public Information Act response requirements for an additional seven days beyond an earlier suspension that began July 5. A formal motion to extend the declaration was made and seconded and carried unanimously; the same procedure and unanimous vote applied to the suspension of public-record response requirements.

Other speakers included representatives from local parks and event operations who noted future needs for disposal sites and heavy equipment, and a representative from Oakview Group who recommended interlocal contracting for agencies using public facilities during response operations.

Votes at a glance
- Item 1.1 — Extend declaration of local state of disaster (storm/flooding beginning 07/03/2025) and authorize county judge to sign: motion made, seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Item 1.2 — Extend suspension of certain requirements of the Texas Public Information Act for an additional seven days beyond July 11 (suspension began July 5): motion made, seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.

The court recessed to executive session at the end of the public briefing and indicated there were no anticipated actions to be taken on return.

Community members seeking to volunteer for recovery work were directed to register at the Salvation Army volunteer reception center; officials said individual volunteers will be attached to professional VOAD teams when possible and that organizers are compiling lists for mud-outs, equipment donations and contractor information.

Judge (name not provided) said the court would continue to assess road closures and resource needs on a day-by-day basis as recovery transitions from primary search and rescue to longer-term debris removal and recovery operations.