After the tragic floods in Central Texas, I was honored to be appointed to the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding. Since the floods took place, we traveled to Kerrville and other communities scared by loss. We sat with families who had lost loved ones and homes, first responders who risked their lives, and local officials left to pick up the pieces. We heard about outdated systems, late warnings, and plans that weren’t ready when disaster struck.

Those conversations were raw and often heartbreaking. Parents relived the worst days of their lives so that other families might be spared. Their courage and honesty left a mark on all of us. It was clear that the system had failed them — and that their voices had to shape how we moved forward.

Among the stories that w

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