The recent flash floods in central Texas impacted thousands of homes and laid bare the challenges facing local homeowners, including rising insurance rates.

Texas lawmakers’ inaction on flood prevention often hits rural and economically disadvantaged communities the hardest, experts said.

Top state officials are testifying that communication needs to improve between the state and local officials, between first responders, and with the large number of volunteers on the ground.

At a joint hearing of special legislative committees probing the deadly Hill Country floods, the state’s emergency management chief said there are no guarantees that local officials are awake when a disaster strikes.

Gov. Greg Abbott named nearly 20 issues to the special session agenda, including flood relief, hemp THC restrictions and redistricting.