Texas floods show early warning systems are improved, but still a work in progress

Key Points:

• After deadly floods in Texas’ Hill Country in 2025 that killed over 100 people, officials pledged improvements in flood warning systems, safety rules, and water infrastructure, but a new round of storms this week still caused flash floods and at least two deaths.
• Unlike last year, Kerr County and the city of Kerrville issued multiple wireless alerts and flood siren warnings, which residents said helped them prepare and evacuate, marking a significant improvement in early warning efforts.
• Despite increased alerts, some areas like Uvalde County lacked local emergency wireless notifications, leaving residents surprised by sudden flooding and highlighting ongoing challenges in rural flood warning coverage.
• The network of flood sirens is expanding, with new installations in several counties funded by recent legislation, and private companies have begun deploying additional sirens and water-level sensors to improve early detection.
• Texas officials, including Gov. Greg Abbott, credited the enhanced preparedness and warning systems with saving lives during this year’s floods, though gaps in coverage and public response remain concerns.