Devastating floods struck six central Texas counties over the Independence Day weekend, causing widespread damage and loss of life. In the face of this tragedy, local radio stations stepped up to provide critical support and information to affected communities.
Radio Stations: A Vital Connection
Stations in and around San Antonio and Austin, including iHeartMedia’s “News Radio 1200” WOAI San Antonio, immediately switched to emergency broadcast mode, offering round-the-clock coverage of the flooding in Kerr, Burnet, Travis, Williamson, Bexar, and Hays counties.
“From the beginning of this crisis, our iHeartMedia teams did what our people do best: they immediately showed up to serve and support the communities in which they live and work,” said iHeartMedia Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman and President, COO and CFO Rich Bressler in a joint statement. “As people turned to us in the middle of the crisis, looking for clarity, connection and answers, our teams worked around the clock to keep their listeners informed and safe — cutting through misinformation and chaos with their trusted local voices.”
Providing Essential Information
iHeart’s stations provided “support and vital personal connection” to listeners, becoming lifelines by sharing evacuation routes, boil water alerts, road closures, shelter locations, and ways to help. Coverage expanded across Texas and into Louisiana, with stations in San Antonio, Austin, Houston, Dallas, El Paso, New Orleans, and Baton Rouge ensuring residents received crucial information.
In Houston, Michael Berry, morning host on news/talk KTRH (740), covered “the storm’s aftermath, families affected by the devastation, and the resilient spirit of Texas,” according to iHeartMedia Division Executive Vice President, Programming Marc Sherman.
TV Station Impacted
Tegna’s KIDY, based in San Angelo, was impacted by the flooding when its transmitter sustained damage, causing the over-the-air signal to go off-air early Friday morning. A reduced power transmitter is being brought in, with plans to get back on the air at reduced power soon. KIDY and Mynet remain available on cable and satellite platforms. Sister station KXVA in Abilene continued broadcasting updates.
The National Weather Service warned of continued rain and flooding risks in saturated areas of central Texas, with a flood watch in place for San Antonio, Austin, and Kerr County.