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The city officials in Kerville were largely unprepared for the destructive floods that clashed the hill country on 4 July, including emails and text messages. Obtained by KSAT Through public record requests.
The documents include a text exchange associated with Kerville City Manager Dalton Rice, in which he appeared to make fun of the US Homeland Security Secretary Christie Nom.
A few hours before the press conference of July 5, the federal, state and local authorities were held to update the public on rescue efforts, a city employee read the rice, “Just you meet Homeland Barbie. How is that?”
Rice replied, “Originally Homeland Barbie,” after a string of laughter.
Nom says that the criticism of federal response to the flood of Texas is ‘all politics’: ‘Dissatisfaction for our country’
Christie Nom, Secretary, Homeland Security, attended a round table event with President Donald Trump at Hill Country Youth Event Center on July 11, 2025 to discuss flash flooding in Kerville, Texas. (Getty image/chip Somodevilla/Getty Image through Ronaldo Schemeidt/AFP)
Similar words such as surnames, and “Ice Barbie”, have broadcast online since their appointment as DHS Secretary earlier this year to satirize NOEM.
The exchange has raised eyebrows in view of the seriousness of the disaster response and the growing criticism of how it was handled.
Sen Chris Murphy, D-Con., Has rapidly criticized the federal response, alleging that it was politically motivated. While not convicting NOEM directly to the flood, Murphy accused the Trump administration of reducing FEMA’s readiness, claiming that FEMA personnel were fired, while the flood victims were actively calling the agency to help.
NOEM defends federal response in an interview Fox News SundayAt the beginning of this month, the allegations of delays were pushed back.
He said that more than 700 FEMA workers were on the ground within a few hours of a call with Texas officials. He also said that the Coast Guard had deployed the Coast Guard immediately after that conversation.
Despite his protection, concerns remain at both state and local levels.
Texas flood disaster response of Trump Administration ‘Fundamentally different’ from Biden’s perspective: NOEM
The rain falls at a Mekshift memorial for flood victims on the banks of the Guadalup river on Sunday, July 13, 2025 in Keraville, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
At the state level, Texas officials have opposed a long call to implement a warning siren system with the Gwadalup River, where the flood proved to be the most fatal. Critics argue that such a system may have saved life.
Separately, a controversial reorganization by the Department of Government Efficiency of Trump Administration (DOGE) dismissed a major National Meteorological Emergency Coordination Officer a few months before the disaster, raising additional questions about institutional readiness.
This tragedy has abandoned Kerville and surrounding communities, seeking accountability and systemic reforms before the next storm attacks.
NOEM claimed in the CNN report that it delayed the DHS response to the Texas Flood, as ‘Absolutely Garbage’
DHS secretaries Christie Nom and Gove Greg Abbott, on Saturday, discuss the ongoing efforts for floods with the Gwadalup River during a news conference in Ingram, Texas on Saturday. (AP Photo/Rhodolfo Gonzalaz)
The horrific floods claimed at least 137 lives in Texas, with 108 fatal in Ker County alone. Among the dead were 27 camper and staff members at Camp Mystic, a century -old Christian Summer Camp for girls in Hunt city.
Officials are now investigating whether the camp mistake officials appropriately responded to flash watching to warning of floods before the tragedy and responded properly.
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This phenomenon has led to widespread questions how young camps and other weaker institutions assess and function rapid weather hazards.
Fox News Digital Carville City Manager Dalton Rice and Kerville came to officials, but did not get any response.
Fox News’ Stephen Sores and Ashmer Red contributed to this report.
Stephanie Price Fox News is a writer for Digital and Fox Business. She involves subjects including missing persons, housewives, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]
