July 16, 2025
When catastrophic flash floods struck Central Texas, local television and radio stations became essential sources of accurate, real-time information. From Kerrville to Austin, broadcasters provided lifesaving updates, debunked dangerous misinformation and offered communities support and hope during unimaginable tragedy.
WOAI-TV, Sinclair’s NBC affiliate in San Antonio, aired live press conferences and on-the-ground coverage throughout the flooding. One of the station’s anchors, a former counselor at Camp Mystic, delivered an emotional report that underscored the deep personal connection local journalists have to the communities they serve.
Graham Holdings’ KSAT-TV streamed continuous storm updates, offering urgent coverage as conditions worsened. TEGNA’s KENS-TV shared powerful survivor stories, including an interview with a woman who lived through the region’s devastating 1987 flood.
NBC News correspondent Morgan Chesky, a fifth-generation Kerrville native, filed reports directly from the flood zone. His deeply personal coverage reflected both the weight of the tragedy and the commitment of local journalists who report on their own communities in crisis.
NewsRadio 1080 KRLD-AM reporter Christopher Fox delivered live reports from between Kerrville and Center Point, reaching more than 100 affiliates across 86 markets through the Texas State Network. Talk Radio 1370 (KJCE-AM) in Austin offered steady emergency updates and launched a dedicated web page to support impacted families and first responders.
According to Inside Radio, stations like WOAI San Antonio and KTRH Houston shifted into pivoted quickly to nonstop emergency broadcasting to provide uninterrupted flood coverage. In Radio Ink, Cox Media Group’s Mark Shecterle emphasized AM radio’s role as a critical source for lifesaving information, especially when cell service was unreliable.
As recovery efforts continue near Travis County, KXAN addressed a wave of misinformation that spread across social media, including false reports of a dam collapse and renewed flood threats. These baseless claims triggered unnecessary evacuations and heightened community fear. Local officials dispelled rumors of a dam breach and urged residents to rely on trusted sources like county communications and the Warn Central Texas alert system. With search and recovery efforts still underway, leaders emphasized the need for calm, accurate information and community solidarity.
TEGNA stations joined forces to raise funds for Kerr County and surrounding areas, while Sinclair Cares partnered with The Salvation Army to provide direct relief. These efforts reflect broadcasters’ unwavering commitment to the communities they serve.
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