Texas Kerr County Rejected Flood Siren System Before Deadly Flash Floods

Kerr County, Texas, suffered devastating flash floods that claimed at least 68 lives locally, with many victims at summer camps along the Guadalupe River. Prior to the disaster, county officials had dismissed proposals to install sirens and flood warning systems due to cost concerns and taxpayer resistance, despite attempts to secure grant funding. The county relied on word-of-mouth alerts and mobile notifications from the National Weather Service, which many residents may have missed during early morning flooding. State legislation aimed at improving emergency alert infrastructure, including House Bill 13, failed in the Texas Senate partly over cost objections, though some lawmakers are now reconsidering their stance following the tragedy. Officials and residents alike have called for better external alert systems, such as sirens, to provide timely warnings in rapid-onset flood scenarios. Efforts are ongoing to support survivors and enhance future disaster preparedness amid scrutiny of past decisions to forgo more robust warning systems.