Outdoor warning sirens are coming to Texas counties most prone to flash flooding

Texans living along flash-flood-prone river basins would hear outdoor warning sirens before the next wall of water arrives under a measure Gov. Greg Abbott signed on September 4. The bill (SB 3) directs the Texas Division of Emergency Management to develop a statewide framework for placing, maintaining, and activating outdoor sirens in counties identified as flash-flood-prone, with state grant funds available to help local governments install the equipment.

Sen. Bettencourt filed the bill in response to the July Hill Country flash floods, which struck overnight when most camp staff and visitors were asleep and outside the reach of cell-phone alerts. Several Kerr County officials testified that an audible siren network might have given campers and residents critical extra minutes to reach high ground.

The Senate passed SB 3 on August 17, and the House followed on August 25. Both chambers signed the enrolled bill on August 27.