Burnet council selects Nelson as police chief

By Raymond V. Whelan • Daily Tribune Staff

MARBLE FALLS - It’s not a question of if but when Texas will have its next natural disaster, and that includes a risk of more tornadoes, a state homeland security official warned listeners Thursday.

That was the word from Jim Harrison, the intergovernmental affairs coordinator for the Governor’s Office for Homeland Security, during an evening appearance before the Burnet County Republican Club at Lakeside Pavilion, 307 Buena Vista Drive.

“We are the No.1 state for natural disasters,” Harrison said. “We are the No.1 state for presidential disaster declarations. It’s not a question of if, it’s when will have a natural disaster. We have it all. We see it all. It’s something we have to prepare for constantly at the local level.”

For instance, Texas has experienced an average of 132 tornadoes a year during the past 55 years, Harrison told The Daily Tribune. Based on trends during the past 10 years, the number of Texas tornadoes per year may rise to 174, he added.

But in addition to tornadoes, response and recovery from flood, drought, storms and other natural disasters, border issues also command much of the focus for state homeland security, the coordinator said.

If law enforcement patrols increase, crime will decrease, Harrison said.

That is the rationale behind state Senate Bill 11, the recent $100 million law passed by the 80th Legislature to beef up protection against illegal immigration, drug smuggling, human trafficking and other crimes along 1,200 miles of the Texas border with Mexico, Harrison said.

Besides additional law enforcement personnel, economic factors will also play in key part in reducing crime along the border.

“We’re hoping the cost of (illegal) drugs goes up and makes that business more difficult,” Harrison said.

Harrison also applauded Burnet County government officials and emergency first responders for coping with the June flood, also called the “rain bomb,” which drenched the Highland Lakes with up to 19 inches of rain in some areas during 12 hours and left hundreds of families without shelter, running water and other necessities, in some cases for days.

“Our job is to support the local jurisdictions,” Harrison said. “You were a prime example of strong leadership. You (local officials) made our job a lot easier. You need strong leadership. You cannot manage by committee. You had phenomenal leadership at the local level.”

Harrison praised Burnet County Judge Donna Klaeger for working with state officials and her overall leadership during the June flood, which covered about 75,000 square miles, including other counties besides Burnet.

“Judge, you were masterful,” Harrison told Klaeger. “She told us (state officials) exactly what she needed, when she needed it. Other states don’t have that (leadership).”

There are other areas of concern in addition to border security and disaster response, the state official said.

Based on recommendations made by the federal 9-11 Commission, state homeland security officials are developing improved “radio interoperability” systems across Texas to ensure jurisdictions can communicate with other during a natural disaster, Harrison said.

“Communication will save lives,” Harrison said.

Also, state homeland security officials are working on improved evacuation plans, conserving fuel and food and tracking victims who need medical treatment or have special needs.

Harrison warned the audience it is possible another flood could hurt the Highland Lakes. Today, in the aftermath of the June flood, state and local officials are keeping a close watch for brush fires in the area, which have recently destroyed many wooded parts of California.

“We’re already working on it,” Harrison said.

After Harrison spoke, state Sen. Troy Fraser said the manner by which Burnet County came through the June flood made the region the state model for dealing with natural disasters.

“I want to make sure that is not skipped over, the wonderful job (local officials) all did,” Fraser said.

raymond@thepicayune.com

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Texas tops nation in natural disasters