the Texas Flood Site Didn't Have Warning Sirens
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Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told CBS News Monday that the state of Texas could pay for storm sirens along the Guadalupe River.
Texas officials are being questioned about warning systems ahead of the deadly floods. As NBC News' Priscilla Thompson reports, Kerr County doesn't have a county-wide siren warning system in place.
Over 35,000 signed a petition urging Kerr County to install flood warning sirens after flash flooding killed at least 100 people on July 4.
Since 2016, the topic of a "flood warning system" for Kerr County has come up at 20 different county commissioners' meetings, according to minutes. The idea for a system was first introduced by Kerr County Commissioner Thomas Moser and Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas in March 2016.
This flood was the first time Comfort’s new siren system was activated. The county upgraded these emergency alerts back in 2024. Kendall County informed us that this cost roughly $70,000. A nonprofit paid $60,000 and Bandera Electric donated the poles.
Former Kerr County Commissioner Tom Moser said in 2016 their flood warning system was "marginal at best." Still, the county couldn't get grants for sirens.
Texas county commissioners previously suggested "river calling," an informal phone chain used by summer camps, would be better than installing new flood sirens.
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Central Illinois Proud on MSNKerrville didn’t have weather sirens used by other citiesOutdoor weather alert systems are not required by any federal or state law. The choice is left up to local leaders.