Texas firefighter's urgent alert delayed while floodwaters rise
- Ingram Volunteer Fire Department firefighter requested a CodeRED emergency alert as Guadalupe River floodwaters rose rapidly.
- Emergency alert activation was delayed for over an hour, resulting in residents receiving alerts late.
- The lack of timely warnings contributed to the tragic outcome of the floods, leading to at least 119 deaths.
In the early morning hours on July 4, a local firefighter in Texas reported rising waters from the Guadalupe River and urged the activation of a CodeRED alert to warn residents. The alert, which could have helped locals find safety, was delayed as dispatchers awaited approval from a supervisor. Despite the fireman's efforts, the first warnings only reached residents about an hour later, resulting in tragic consequences as at least 119 lives were lost, and many individuals were unaccounted for. Amid escalating concerns about the delay in alerts, local officials faced scrutiny regarding their flood response protocols. The Kerr County Sheriff, Larry Leitha, explained the complexities surrounding alert systems, asserting that activating them was not as straightforward as merely pressing a button. This response has prompted further questions about the accountability of local state's actions and whether they could have mitigated the loss of life. While Kerr County officials indicated they lacked an efficient warning system, they had access to CodeRED, which had been installed years ago but was underutilized during this crisis. Individuals involved in emergency management noted that despite requests for help, including from volunteer firefighters, the delay in system activation contributed to the scale of the disaster. Witness accounts detailed chaotic scenes of residents trapped and homes inundated. In the aftermath of the flooding, the community of Kerrville expressed their distress as families shared harrowing experiences of survival and loss. Emergency management at both local and federal levels has since been criticized, especially concerning the accuracy of forecasts from the National Weather Service. Various officials sought to assign blame, with some pointing fingers at federal agencies for their inadequate warnings leading up to the disaster. The overall situation raised questions about preparedness and the effectiveness of emergency response in the face of natural disasters like these floods.