Twice, the Texas Division of Emergency Management turned down Kerr County's requests for money to improve flood warnings.

Over the last decade, an array of local and state agencies have missed opportunities to fund a flood warning system intended to avert the type of disaster that swept away dozens of youth campers and others in Kerr County,

Kerr County had discussed buying such things as water gauges and sirens after previous flood disasters. But as with many rural Texas counties, cost was an issue.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott called on state lawmakers to approve funding for new warning systems and emergency communications in flood-prone areas when the legislature meets later this month. View on e