Texas Hill Country floods test new warning systems after last year's deadly disaster

By — Christopher L. Keller, Associated Press Christopher L. Keller, Associated Press By — Rebecca Boone, Associated Press Rebecca Boone, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/texas-hill-country-floods-test-new-warning-systems-after-last-years-deadly-disaster Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Texas Hill Country floods test new warning systems after last year's deadly disaster Nation Jul 18, 2026 1:53 PM EDT After deadly floods killed more than 100 people in Texas' Hill Country last July, officials vowed major changes in hopes of preventing the failures that contributed to the high death toll. They promised better flood warning systems, tighter safety rules for children's camps and improvements to the state's water infrastructure. That work was far from done when a new round of storms began pummeling the state this week, triggering catastrophic flash floods in some of the same areas devastated in 2025. At least two people died. Hundreds needed rescue. READ MORE: Texas flash floods leave at least 2 people dead in Hill Country region devastated a year ago But residents in some hard-hit areas said a year of preparation did make a difference. Newly installed flood sirens sounded in the darkness, warning people to get out. Phones buzzed with alerts that weren't sent out in last year's disaster. Still, stories of people surprised to find their homes inundated by rising rivers illustrate the challenges of trying to bolster early warning systems in a vast, rural area known as Flash Flood Alley. Some agencies were more proactive about sending wireless alerts Over the last decade, a variety of Texas state and local agencies missed opportunities to implement flood warning systems along the Guadalupe River, the AP reported after last summer's floods killed 136 people, including 28 at a sleepaway camp for girls. That changed after the tragedy as lawmakers and others scrutinized a lack of preparedness by government agencies and riverside camps. Unlike last summer, when local officials in Kerr County said they had been reluctant to "cry wolf" and order evacuations and failed to send out wireless alerts to warn of flash floods, Kerr County issued four alerts and the city of Kerrville issued one early on Thursday as the risk for flooding became apparent, according to an Associated Press review of available data. WATCH: One year since deadly flood at Camp Mystic, parents push for better safety standards They warned residents along Quinlan Creek to evacuate to higher ground, and of "extremely dangerous" flash flooding. Those alerts came alongside flood watches, warnings and emergencies sent to broadcast outlets, weather radios and mobile phones by the National Weather Service. People who signed up for the CodeRED notification emergency system in Kerr County also received text message warnings. "Last year, we got no alarms. We had no idea what was going on," said Suzann