By John Q. Hosedrinker 
FEMA records reveal that Kerr County officials did not utilize the Integrated Public Alert & Warning System (IPAWS) to send critical safety instructions to mobile phones during the onset of severe flooding on July 4th. While the National Weather Service issued IPAWS flood warnings, county officials did not send any wireless alerts through the system, despite having used it in the past for similar events. Experts emphasize that inconsistent policies on issuing alerts across different counties may contribute to delays, with some residents reporting that they received messages through the CodeRed system, which only reaches those who signed up for the service. This failure to promptly utilize the IPAWS system has raised questions regarding whether timely warnings could have potentially saved lives, as it’s important to get it right when people’s lives are on the line.
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FEMA records show Kerr County didn’t alert all cell phones as flooding began, and this is the crux of a tragedy that demands our attention. The National Weather Service, bless their underfunded hearts, did their job. They sent out an IPAWS flood warning via cell phone, as early as 1:14 a.m. on that fateful July 4th. However, and this is crucial, the Weather Service can’t tell you to evacuate. That responsibility, that life-or-death decision, falls squarely on the shoulders of county and city officials.
Here’s where the story takes a deeply troubling turn. FEMA’s archive shows that Kerr County, the very people entrusted with protecting their citizens, did not send out any wireless alerts through IPAWS. None. They simply didn’t utilize the system designed to reach everyone, the same system used for Amber Alerts. Some families did receive a CodeRed alert, a system that requires prior sign-up, leaving countless vulnerable residents in the dark.
What makes this even more infuriating is the blatant disregard for readily available solutions. The warning system could have been a simple float switch connected to a siren with a battery backup. A ridiculously cheap and effective fix, a solution that could have saved lives. Yet, it appears that the county officials weren’t interested. They even admitted that the camps were vulnerable, but stuck to their archaic method of simply phoning each other when a flood was coming – a method that has patently failed.
The reasons behind this inaction are frankly appalling. It boils down to politics, misplaced priorities, and a shocking lack of regard for human life. We’re talking about officials who, according to reports, refused federal money for a flood warning system because it came from Obama. They initially rejected funds offered by Biden as well, eventually accepting it only after a Senator pointed out that they could simply hoard the money, preventing it from helping “liberal” states. And what did they do with the money? They gave the Sheriff’s Department bonuses and raises, a million dollars that could have been used for the early warning system.
The financial missteps are almost unbelievable. They had a $30 billion rainy day fund, yet they failed to use it to create a flood warning system. This lack of foresight is frankly negligent, especially when considering the amount of lives that could have been saved if the proper safety measures were in place.
The political grandstanding and outright refusal to accept help, regardless of its source, is deeply disturbing. It’s a pattern of prioritizing ideology over the safety of the community. It’s clear that the county officials were more concerned with political optics than the well-being of their constituents. This is not about whether you lean left or right; this is about the fundamental responsibility of leaders to protect those they serve.
The consequences of this negligence are devastating. Over a hundred people lost their lives, including children. The families of the victims are left to grapple with the knowledge that their loved ones might still be here if proper warnings had been issued.
This tragedy, sadly, isn’t an isolated incident. Texas, as a state, has a history of prioritizing political posturing over essential services. I find it incredibly disheartening how the state government, as well as the local county, were prepared to let citizens die.
The situation in Kerr County is a glaring example of the damage caused by prioritizing political games over the safety and well-being of the people. It’s a stark reminder that actions have consequences and that accountability is paramount. The families of the victims deserve answers, and those responsible for this tragedy must be held accountable. The time for deflection and political maneuvering is over. The time for justice and meaningful change is now.