Flooding

Freezing temperatures and hazardous road conditions here in Lubbock have continued after the weekend, prompting area school districts, colleges, and universities to cancel today's classes. Much of the country is still dealing with dangerous winter weather, putting power grids under strain from coast to coast. The Texas Newsroom’s Lucio Vasquez reports that ERCOT says the state energy grid is performing better now than in 2021's winter storm. Another severe weather event in Texas this past summer could have traumatic effects for thousands of adults and children for months or even years. Texas Public Radio's Norma Martinez has more on mental health response following the July 4th floods in Kerr County.

Thousands of employees whose contracts end this year will lose their jobs, FEMA managers said at personnel meetings this week. The cuts could hobble the nation's disaster agency.

Hundreds of newly published text messages add more detail to the devastating timeline of the deadly July 4 Texas floods.

More than 130 people died as floodwaters swept through the region on July 4. Now, recovery continues amid legal action and scrutiny of flood preparedness.

As Texas Tech’s football team waits to learn its first opponent in this year’s College Football Playoffs, our Bishop Van Buren reports on a push for long-term stability within the program. Two recently passed state laws that address outdoor warning sirens in flash flood zones are closer to implementation. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro explains Senate Bill 3 and Senate Bill 5, set to affect 30 counties this week.

For many families across the state, Thanksgiving this year is complicated — because of the destructive flooding on the Fourth of July that left at least 138 people dead. They’re grappling with unanswered questions and loss.

David Richardson, who had no background in emergency management when he was appointed in May, served just six months in the job.

No new taxes would be collected for the package that would give the state’s water department $1 billion to spend on projects like cleaning salty water, flood control and reservoirs.

Lawmakers say the committee will examine the state's preparation and response, along with the circumstances surrounding the disaster. The historic flooding led to more than 130 deaths.

Lubbock’s city council heard a presentation this week analyzing zoning across the city. Our reporter Samantha Larned has more on a 2026 project to address some of the inconsistencies between property zoning and land use. Camp Mystic, a Christian girls camp devastated by July 4th flooding by the Guadalupe River, plans to partially re-open next year. Texas Public Radio's Marian Navarro reports that will come with new regulations and training required by the state.