Texas officials are under mounting pressure regarding the emergency alert notifications sent to residents during the catastrophic flash floods in Kerrville, which tragically resulted in the loss of 120 lives, including 96 locals, half of whom were children from a summer camp. Following the intense rains—amounting to around 100 billion gallons—local authorities have been called to account for the delayed communications that transpired on the night of July 4th.
Kerrville Police community services officer Jonathan Lamb stated that he lacked details concerning a potential radio failure, which has led to questions about emergency response protocols. Reports indicate that a firefighter had urgently reached out to the Kerr County Sheriff's Office for alerts to be sent at approximately 4:22 AM, warning residents of the rapidly rising waters. However, it's reported that the first CodeRED alert was not dispatched until about 90 minutes later, leaving many residents unaware as floodwaters engulfed the area.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha pointed out that his first notification came around "the four to five area," and he noted that creating a timeline relating to the event would take time, emphasizing that the immediate focus was on finding the missing and identifying victims. As the rescue operation continues with over 2,100 responders on the ground, officials highlighted several factors contributing to the lack of evacuation among residents, including unreliable cell service and public desensitization to flood warnings.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has declared a federal disaster in response to the crisis, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to assist with recovery efforts. With the ongoing search for more than 160 missing individuals, including campers from Camp Mystic, efforts to locate individuals beneath debris piles remain hazardous but essential, according to Lieutenant Colonel Ben Baker of the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.
