Texas Flood Warning Failure: A Decade of Neglect

A series of missed opportunities by local and state entities has come under scrutiny following a devastating flash flood in Kerr County, Texas, over the Fourth of July holiday. The agencies repeatedly failed to secure funding for a comprehensive flood warning system, a project that could have potentially saved lives and averted the disaster that swept away numerous campers and residents.

The Unheeded Need for a Flood Warning System

For nearly a decade, the need for a robust flood warning system in Kerr County has been apparent. The area, known as “flash-flood alley,” is particularly vulnerable due to its geography and the presence of the Guadalupe River, which attracts thousands of campers, tourists, and residents during peak seasons. The proposed system, estimated to cost around $1 million, would have provided crucial early warnings to the county’s 50,000 residents and the many visitors who frequent the area. This amount is comparable to what the county spends on courthouse security every two years, representing a mere 1.5% of its annual budget.

The proposed system would have involved installing flood monitoring equipment in strategic locations, particularly near Camp Mystic, a popular camping destination. This equipment would have provided real-time data on rising water levels, allowing local authorities to issue timely warnings and initiate evacuations.

Communities Taking Initiative Elsewhere

While Kerr County struggled to secure funding and support for its flood warning system, other communities in the region took proactive steps to protect their residents. In Comfort, a nearby town with a population of 2,000, a long, flat, three-minute warning siren was implemented. This siren, tested regularly through drills, proved effective in alerting residents to the danger of flooding and facilitating timely evacuations.

Past Floods Ignored: A History of Neglect

The urgency for a flood warning system in Kerr County was amplified by a deadly flood that occurred on Memorial Day in 2015. This tragic event reignited the debate over the need for a system that could alert the public to dangerous river levels and prompt evacuations. Some officials, recalling a devastating 1987 flood that claimed the lives of eight people on a church camp bus, believed that the time for action had finally arrived.

However, the proposal faced resistance. Some residents and elected officials opposed the installation of sirens, citing concerns about the cost and the potential noise pollution from frequent alarms.

A Compromised Plan and Continued Obstacles

In an attempt to address these concerns, county commissioners pursued a compromise: a warning system without sirens. This system would focus on improving flood monitoring through a network of sensors, but the responsibility of alerting the public would fall on local authorities. Despite this scaled-back plan, securing funding remained a challenge.

The county’s largest city, Kerrville, declined to participate in a joint grant application, citing the required $50,000 contribution as a deterrent. The state’s emergency management agency also rejected the county’s request for hazard mitigation funding twice, initially citing deficiencies in the application and later prioritizing communities affected by Hurricane Harvey in 2017.

An offer of an interest-free loan from the state’s flood infrastructure fund was also rejected by the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, the agency responsible for managing the watershed, deeming the terms unfavorable.

The Aftermath: Blame and Calls for Action

The absence of a functional flood monitoring system left Kerr County vulnerable when heavy rains caused the Guadalupe River to rise rapidly in the early hours of July 4th. The resulting flash flood claimed lives and left many missing.

In the wake of the disaster, some residents are expressing outrage and demanding accountability. One mother, who evacuated her daughters from a local camp ahead of the flooding, launched an online petition calling for the immediate installation of sirens in Kerr County. She emphasized the need for a collaborative funding approach involving city, state, and federal resources, stating that “the answer of ‘no’ this time” is unacceptable.

While local authorities and the Texas Governor have urged the public to refrain from assigning blame in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, some officials are beginning to voice their concerns. One city council member described it as “unfathomable” that county officials failed to act despite repeated discussions about the need for a flood warning system. He questioned the prioritization of other projects over a system that could save lives, emphasizing the heartbreaking impact of the flood on families and the community.

Diverted Funds and Missed Opportunities

Further investigation reveals a pattern of missed opportunities and diverted funds. In 2016, Kerr County applied for a flood warning system grant through the Texas Division of Emergency Management’s hazard mitigation program, which is supported by funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). However, the application was rejected due to non-compliance with federal specifications, including the requirement to have a current hazard mitigation plan on file.

Despite hiring consultants and engineers to prepare another application for the next funding cycle in 2017, the project was once again sidelined. The system outlined in the county’s preliminary plan would have provided “mass notifications to citizens about high water levels and flooding conditions throughout Kerr County.” Sensors connected to monitoring stations at targeted low water crossings would have transmitted signals to local officials and emergency management agencies, enabling them to alert the public and contact youth camps and RV parks during emergencies.

However, after Hurricane Harvey caused widespread flooding in Houston and other areas of Texas in August 2017, funding was redirected to counties included in the disaster declaration, excluding Kerr County.

A New Funding Source and a Rejected Offer

In 2019, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment creating a state flood infrastructure fund with an initial investment of $800 million. The Upper Guadalupe River Authority revived the Kerr County project last year, requesting $1 million in funding. The Texas Water Development Board offered a $50,000 grant and a $950,000 interest-free loan, but the river authority declined the offer, citing unfavorable terms.

The recent tragedy in Kerr County underscores the critical need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks of flooding. The repeated failures to secure funding and implement a comprehensive flood warning system have had devastating consequences, highlighting the importance of prioritizing public safety and investing in infrastructure that can protect communities from natural disasters.