Kerr County – July 9, 2025
In the wake of the devastating floods that struck Kerr County, serious concerns have emerged over the failure of emergency alert systems to warn residents in time. Multiple residents reported either receiving no warnings at all or receiving alerts that were delayed, fragmented, or unclear, adding to the chaos and danger as floodwaters rose at unprecedented speed.
Initial public statements from Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly suggested that the county lacked an operational emergency warning system. However, investigative findings from The Texas Newsroom revealed that Kerr County does in fact operate a mass-alert system known as CodeRED. Not only was the system in place, but records also show that first responders had requested its activation during the early stages of the disaster.
At the heart of the issue was the extraordinary speed of the flooding. The Guadalupe River rose by approximately 26 feet within just 45 minutes. Emergency radio transmissions obtained from the early hours of July 4 revealed that volunteer firefighters began calling for a CodeRED alert as early as 4:22 a.m. Dispatchers, however, delayed action, citing a need for supervisor authorization before issuing any public alert.
While a portion of residents did receive a CodeRED flash flood warning by 5:34 a.m., a significant number only received their first notification after 10 a.m. For some, alerts never arrived at all. This delayed response has intensified scrutiny over the communication breakdown between emergency responders and county officials.
The CodeRED system, installed in Kerr County in 2009, was designed to issue time-sensitive emergency alerts to the public. The system relies heavily on resident sign-ups and publicly available phone data, making it less effective for reaching all individuals—especially visitors or those without up-to-date contact information. Technical limitations such as poor cellular coverage and silenced devices further impair its reach.
John David Trolinger, the former Kerr County IT director who helped install CodeRED, provided corroborating radio recordings from that night. According to his documentation, calls regarding the rapidly rising water began around 3 a.m. Despite urgent requests to issue a mass notification, dispatchers did not act until they received higher-level authorization.
Past uses of the CodeRED system have proven effective, including in cases involving wildfires, school evacuations, and locating missing individuals. Experts suggest that while CodeRED has value, it must be supplemented with other tools to ensure broader, more reliable coverage during emergencies.
During the flooding crisis, the Kerr County 911 center was overwhelmed with rescue calls. The U.S. Coast Guard managed to evacuate over 200 individuals, and local sheriffs went door-to-door notifying residents and assisting with evacuations. One individual was credited with personally rescuing 165 people. These efforts, while heroic, also highlight the critical consequences of communication failure in the early stages of the disaster.
As officials continue to assess the damage and response, the Kerr County flood has sparked a broader conversation about emergency readiness and the urgent need to modernize and streamline alert protocols.
Related questions and answers
Why didn’t all Kerr County residents receive flood alerts?
Delays in authorization, reliance on voluntary sign-ups, and limited network access all contributed to the inconsistent alert delivery.
What is the CodeRED system used for?
CodeRED is a public emergency alert system used to notify residents of urgent situations such as floods, fires, or evacuations.
Could the alert system have prevented more damage or loss?
Earlier and broader alert dissemination could have given residents more time to evacuate, potentially reducing risk and loss of life.
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