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Crisis Response

Education Session E

E14 - When the River Rose: Behavioral Health Response and Recovery After the Hill Country Floods

Tuesday, April 28, 2026
2:15 PM - 3:15 PM MDT
Location: Bluebird 2G

Unrestricted Education Sponsor 
On July 4, 2025, catastrophic flooding struck the Texas Hill Country. In the early morning hours, intense thunderstorms in Kerr County caused the Guadalupe River to surge more than 26 feet in less than 45 minutes. The disaster claimed at least 135 lives and left entire communities devastated. The impact extended far beyond the riverbanks, creating profound and lasting behavioral health needs for survivors, families, and first responders.

During this session, leaders from Hill Country Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities Centers, the Local Mental Health Authority (LMHA) serving the region, will share firsthand accounts of the unfolding crisis and the response that followed. Panelists will discuss how their teams mobilized in real time to support affected communities, as well as the ongoing recovery efforts still underway.

Participants will also hear from neighboring LMHAs that rapidly coordinated to assess needs and deploy personnel and resources to the region. The panel will highlight key lessons learned, including the importance of integrated emergency management systems, cross-center collaboration, and strong partnerships with local and state government during large-scale disasters.

    Breakout Presenter(s)

  • Lee Johnson

    Texas Council of Community Centers

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Landon Sturdivant, LBSW

    Deputy Chief Executive Director
    Hill Country MHDD Centers
    Kerrville, Texas

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Andrew Estrada

    Vice President, Crisis Response Services
    Center for Health Care Services

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • VS

    Veronica Sanchez

    CEO
    Camino Real Community Services

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • Jeff Richardson

    CEO
    Integral Care

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • MN

    Mike Naples

    CEO
    Bluebonnet Trails

    Disclosure information not submitted.

  • MR

    Monika Rosales-Flores

    Tropical Texas

    Disclosure information not submitted.