In recent press conferences, Texas officials are under fire regarding the slow response to notify residents in Kerrville about catastrophic flash floods that occurred on July 4th, which resulted in 120 deaths, including 36 children from a nearby camp. Reports reveal that emergency communications were severely delayed; a firefighter urged the Kerr County Sheriff's Office to send an alert just after 4 AM, but residents were not notified until nearly six hours later.
In a chaotic early morning situation, the Guadalupe River surged, fueled by 100 billion gallons of rain, leading to devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Despite weather alerts from the National Weather Service, local officials cited several factors for the lack of timely warnings, including poor cell service and public complacency towards flood warnings.
President Donald Trump has since signed a federal disaster declaration, allowing FEMA to aid recovery efforts, which now involve over 2,100 responders, drones, and cadaver dogs. However, with many residents still missing, authorities are focused on ongoing rescue operations that involve sifting through debris in challenging conditions. As investigations continue, the efficiency of emergency alert systems is under scrutiny, raising questions about the lessons to be learned from this tragedy.
In a chaotic early morning situation, the Guadalupe River surged, fueled by 100 billion gallons of rain, leading to devastating flooding in the Texas Hill Country. Despite weather alerts from the National Weather Service, local officials cited several factors for the lack of timely warnings, including poor cell service and public complacency towards flood warnings.
President Donald Trump has since signed a federal disaster declaration, allowing FEMA to aid recovery efforts, which now involve over 2,100 responders, drones, and cadaver dogs. However, with many residents still missing, authorities are focused on ongoing rescue operations that involve sifting through debris in challenging conditions. As investigations continue, the efficiency of emergency alert systems is under scrutiny, raising questions about the lessons to be learned from this tragedy.
