Nearly a decade ago, neighboring counties, Guadalupe and Comal, installed flood sirens. Nearby New Braunfels regularly tests its outdoor warning system, which is designed to alert residents to flash floods that are common in the area. But in Kerr County, officials admitted over the weekend that no such system exists.

Kerr County, Texas Judge Rob Kelly told a reporter that the county does not have a warning system, saying that "no one knew this kind of flood was coming."