When the floodwaters started rising in the early hours of July 4th, most people were fast asleep — including, it turns out, the very officials tasked with responding to the crisis.
A new revelation from a Texas sheriff has sparked major questions about the county’s readiness during one of its deadliest natural disasters.
County Emergency Official Was Likely Asleep During Critical Flood Hours
Sheriff Larry Leitha has confirmed that W.B. “Dub” Thomas, the county’s Emergency Management Coordinator, was most likely asleep at home as floodwaters surged through the region.
Speaking to CNN, Leitha explained that Thomas had worked late the night before and had not yet woken up when the situation turned critical.
Leitha didn’t shy away from sharing that he, too, was asleep during the early hours of the disaster — a detail that adds to growing concerns about the lack of early response.
The Guadalupe River Swelled—But No One Was on Alert
The National Weather Service had issued its first flash flood warning at 1:14 a.m.
Central Time, giving more than three hours’ notice before the Guadalupe River rose by over 30 feet, inundating campsites and RV parks.
Tragically, many victims had no idea of the danger approaching.
Among the 136 confirmed fatalities were 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic, who were asleep when the river’s raging waters swept through.
No Active Emergency Center at Peak Flooding Time
Even more troubling is the fact that the county’s emergency operations center wasn’t even activated between 1 a.m. and 3 a.m.—the exact window when the water reached its highest and deadliest levels.
Sheriff Leitha admitted the county doesn’t have round-the-clock emergency services, pointing out, “We’re in a rural area; we don’t have a 24-hour service, or anything open like that.”
Lack of Overnight Emergency Infrastructure Under Scrutiny
These details — especially the fact that no key officials were monitoring alerts — have ignited scrutiny over how rural emergency systems operate during critical windows.
If no one is awake to receive life-saving alerts, how can communities be kept safe in the face of fast-moving disasters?
More Questions Than Answers for Now
This new information is still unfolding, and many families and residents are looking for accountability.
As investigations continue into the July 4th flood, more updates are expected about the timeline, missed warnings, and what should have been done differently.
Stay tuned for further developments as the story evolves.
