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A Growing Movement for Improved Flood Warning Systems in Texas
A significant number of residents, totaling nearly 40,000, have joined a petition urging local officials to implement an early warning siren system in the flood-affected Texas Hill Country. The initiative, launched by Nicole Wilson from San Antonio, calls for the installation of modern outdoor emergency sirens in Kerr County. These sirens would serve as critical tools for alerting people to floods, tornadoes, and other life-threatening emergencies.
Wilson, a 42-year-old Army veteran and mother of three, emphasized the urgency of this demand. She pointed to the tragic events at Camp Mystic and the devastating flooding along the Guadalupe River in July as stark reminders of how quickly severe weather can strike. “A well-placed siren system will provide critical extra minutes for families, schools, camps, businesses, and visitors to seek shelter and evacuate when needed,” she stated.
The petition comes amid rising concerns following the flood-related death toll, which has reached at least 120 people. Search and rescue teams continue their efforts to locate more than 160 individuals still missing. In Kerr County alone, 96 lives were lost, with 27 of the victims being children and counselors at Camp Mystic. Wilson believes that if there had been audible sirens at the camp, it could have provided enough time for evacuation.
“I personally have no doubt that even with an extra five minutes, those counselors would’ve seen the scenario and taken themselves to higher ground,” she said. Her experience as a Sergeant First Class in the Army and her background in military intelligence have shaped her belief in the importance of such systems.
Understanding Flood Warning Systems
Flood warning systems typically use a combination of advanced weather forecasting, real-time data collection, and alert mechanisms to notify officials and the public about potential flooding. According to Alex Tardy, a former warning coordination meteorologist with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, these systems involve monitoring rainfall, water levels, and stream flow through sensors both inside and outside of the water. This data is then reported to a central station, allowing for timely alerts.
When specific thresholds are met, such as rising rain or river levels, alerts can be issued through sirens, text messages, and other communication channels. Tardy, who runs Weather Echo, a San Diego-based weather and climate data consulting company, noted that in an ideal scenario, local warning systems would utilize various methods, including sirens, to inform residents.
A Longstanding Debate on Warning Systems
The issue of how to properly warn residents, camps, and parks along the Guadalupe River about potential flooding and other disasters has been debated for years. Wilson highlighted that Kerr County, part of a region known as “Flash Flood Alley,” needs an updated flood warning system. Initially seeking 1,000 signatures for her petition, she emphasized that it is past time for the county to receive necessary upgrades.
Nearly a decade ago, Kerr County requested $1 million to build a flood warning system that would have upgraded 20 water gauge systems, added new water level sensors and posts, and created software and a website to distribute information to the public in real-time. However, records indicate that the Texas Division of Emergency Management repeatedly denied the county’s request.
Currently, Kerr County uses software called CodeRed to notify residents about floods, fires, and other emergencies via cell phone. In 2020, county leaders voted to expand CodeRed by integrating it with a FEMA system, enabling it to alert people passing through the area, even if they didn’t have the local CodeRed app. However, this expansion did not include the upgraded gauges, new sensors, or the public website the county had requested.
A Call for Action and Funding
Wilson believes that the upcoming repairs and funeral costs should serve as a reminder that funding for a better early warning system isn’t optional. She hopes that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will find a way through state funding. If not, she is optimistic that President Donald Trump, who plans to visit the area on July 11, will provide funding for a new siren system.
She also plans to testify during a special legislative session in Austin later this month, hoping to use her petition as a catalyst for an early warning siren system. “Anything short of it is unacceptable,” she said. “The loss of future life is too important because of this region’s long history of flooding.”
