Overview

• State officials rejected Kerr County’s requests for about $1 million in warning system grants at least three times between 2017 and 2024.
• The county’s 2016 proposal included upgrading 20 river monitors, adding 10 automated gauges and installing 30 passive depth markers but omitted tributary sensors and sirens.
• Kerr County reallocated its $10 million ARPA allocation in 2021 to public safety projects, employee raises and a walking path instead of storm infrastructure.
• Internal FEMA policies enacted under Secretary Kristi Noem delayed search-and-rescue deployments by up to 72 hours and slowed aerial imagery requests.
• Ongoing investigations and after-action reviews are examining past funding denials and gaps in emergency alert communications.