Since 2016, the topic of a "flood warning system" for Kerr County has come up at 20 different county commissioners' meetings, according to minutes. The idea for a system was first introduced by Kerr County Commissioner Thomas Moser and Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas in March 2016.

Federal forecasters issued their first flood warning at 1:14 a.m. on July 4. Local officials haven’t shed light on when they saw the warnings or whether they saw them in time to take action.

Over 35,000 signed a petition urging Kerr County to install flood warning sirens after flash flooding killed at least 100 people on July 4.

Twice, the Texas Division of Emergency Management turned down Kerr County's requests for money to improve flood warnings.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told CBS News Monday that the state of Texas could pay for storm sirens along the Guadalupe River.

The teenage son, Leo, survived after he became snared in barbed wire, preventing him from being swept away. The boy is recovering in hospital. As the BBC was interviewing the Rojas couple, a neighbour walked up to present them with an item salvaged from the house.

“5-12” of rain has occurred, an additional 2-5” possible,” NWS said. “This is a Particularly Dangerous Situation with life-threatening flash flooding. Seek higher ground if near a flooded creek or stream. Otherwise, avoid travel.”

Kelly's remarks come in the aftermath of catastrophic flash floods that swept through Kerr County early Friday, when the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes. Communities such as Hunt and Kerrville were inundated, with homes, roads and summer camps overwhelmed. At Camp Mystic in Hunt, 27 campers remain missing.