Fact Check: Kerr County officials took nearly six hours to send emergency alerts during flooding.

Fact Check: Kerr County Officials Took Nearly Six Hours to Send Emergency Alerts During Flooding

What We Know

On July 4, 2025, Kerr County, Texas, experienced catastrophic flooding that resulted in significant loss of life and property damage. The first flood warning was issued by federal forecasters at 1:14 a.m. on that day (Governing). A firefighter from the Ingram Volunteer Fire Department requested an emergency alert at 4:22 a.m. to warn residents, stating that "the Guadalupe Schumacher sign is underwater on State Highway 39" and asking if a CodeRED alert could be sent to residents (KSAT).

Despite this request, it was reported that Kerr County officials did not send the alert until approximately 10:04 a.m., nearly six hours after the initial warning and almost six hours after the firefighter's request (ABC News). This delay has raised questions about the effectiveness of the county's emergency alert system, which had been in place since 2014 (ABC News).

Analysis

The timeline of events indicates a significant delay in the response to the flooding. The initial flood warning was issued at 1:14 a.m., and the firefighter's request for an alert came in at 4:22 a.m. However, the first alert was not sent until 10:04 a.m., which suggests a failure in the emergency response system. The Kerr County Sheriff's Office dispatcher initially responded to the firefighter's request by stating they needed to get approval from a supervisor, indicating a bureaucratic delay in the alert process (KSAT).

Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly mentioned that no one anticipated the flooding's magnitude, and the county lacked a functional emergency alert system (KSAT). However, this contradicts the existence of the CodeRED system, which was operational and had been used for alerts in the past. The delay in sending alerts has been attributed to the need for approval and possibly a lack of preparedness for such a significant emergency (ABC News).

The credibility of the sources reporting on this incident is high, as they include local news outlets and national news organizations that have conducted investigations into the timeline and responses of local officials. However, the statements from officials, particularly Sheriff Larry Leitha, have been vague regarding the reasons for the delay, suggesting a lack of transparency in the aftermath of the flooding (CNN).

Conclusion

The claim that Kerr County officials took nearly six hours to send emergency alerts during flooding is True. The evidence indicates that there was a significant delay in the emergency response, with alerts not being sent until hours after the initial warnings and requests for action. This delay raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the emergency management protocols in place during a critical situation.

Fact Check: Kerr County officials took nearly six hours to send emergency alerts during flooding.