Front Burner Did the Texas floods have to be this deadly?
24 snips
Jul 9, 2025 
Emily Foxhall, a climate reporter at the Texas Tribune, dives into the devastating Texas floods that claimed over 100 lives. She discusses the emotional toll on survivors and the community’s ongoing search for loved ones. The conversation highlights the shortcomings of emergency responses, particularly due to significant budget cuts to key federal agencies. Foxhall raises concerns about the effectiveness of flood alerts and the critical need for better preparedness as Texas faces increasing extreme weather events.
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County Social Media Warnings
- Local authorities issued flood warnings on social media about 5:30 a.m., roughly 90 minutes after initial flood alerts.
- This was among the first public notices at the county level during the flooding.
Nighttime Flood Alert Challenges
- Flash floods at night during a holiday increased difficulty in alerting people promptly.
- The "last mile problem" means alerts may not reach all at-risk individuals in time.
No Sirens in Kerr County
- Kerr County lacks outdoor sirens, which are used in surrounding counties prone to flooding.
- Officials cited cost and aesthetics as reasons for not installing sirens, which may have cost lives.
