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Texas Mayor calls for flash flooding warning system to reduce future fatalities

The mayor of the city in Texas that was at the heart of the flash floods earlier this month, which killed more than 130 people, asked state legislators on Thursday for help to get a warning systems in place within one year.

Kerrville mayor Joe Herring said to a joint Senate and House committee meeting in his town, northwest of San Antonio, that he wants a flood warning system designed and installed before next summer.

Herring stated, "We must find solutions that will protect the public as well as save lives." We will need your assistance to achieve this goal.

A special session of the Texas legislature was called by Governor Greg Abbott to address the flooding. Early on July 4, the flooding washed away children's camps and people who were enjoying the Fourth of July holiday in Texas Hill Country.

Following a committee meeting in the capital last week, lawmakers visited the area affected by the flooding to hear Herring and other local leaders as well as local residents.

Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha asked if a warning system had been beneficial.

Leitha, a member of the legislature, said that "the water came too quickly".

Speaker Dustin Burrows stated that lawmakers will come up with "some solution" during the 30-day special session but it would take some time.

Burrows stated, "Our commitment will continue beyond this session, these hearings and into the next and subsequent sessions."

The number of casualties is one of the highest in recent years in the United States. This raises questions about the absence of flash flood warning sirens, especially in the hardest-hit Kerr County. Many people have expressed concerns about the vacancies in National Weather Service offices as a result of staffing reductions under President Donald Trump.

Residents who were affected by the flooding spoke before the committee. Many said they felt abandoned by their city, county, and state governments. (Reporting and editing by Donna Bryson, Sandra Maler and Brad Brooks from Colorado)

(source: Reuters)