In the wake of last week’s devastating multi-county flooding in Texas, one community—Comfort, located in Kendall County—activated its newly installed emergency siren system for the first time. Officials believe this early warning system played a key role in saving lives during the disaster.
As the death toll in nearby Kerr County rose to 96, Comfort remained safe, with no fatalities reported. This success story highlights the importance of timely warnings, preparedness, and the role of technology in safeguarding communities.
Comfort’s New Siren System Saves Lives
Comfort, a small town with a population of around 2,300, had long faced the threat of flooding, especially after the tragic flood of 1978, which claimed the lives of 15 people, including the grandfather of Danny Morales, the assistant chief of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Department.
In response to this history, Morales helped secure funding for an emergency siren system last year. The new system includes a refurbished siren located at Comfort Park, which is linked to a U.S. Geological Survey sensor at Cypress Creek to monitor water levels.
The sirens serve as an alert system for floods and tornadoes, with different sounds for each type of emergency. When water levels rise to a certain point, the system triggers an automatic alert, giving residents crucial time to evacuate.
Morales reflected on how the recent flood brought back memories of the 1978 tragedy, noting that if the system hadn’t been in place, the consequences could have been much worse. “We do for ourselves and for the community,” he said, emphasizing the importance of such systems in ensuring public safety.
The Importance of Early Warnings in Preventing Tragedy
While Comfort’s early warning system proved effective, neighboring Kerr County, which was hit hard by the floods, did not have a siren system in place at the time.
Despite years of discussions about installing such systems, Kerr County was left vulnerable when the floodwaters arrived early, during the night, when many residents were asleep. In contrast, the residents of Comfort, alerted by the sirens, were already awake and able to act quickly.
The absence of a siren system in Kerr County was a significant point of discussion. Lorena Guillen, owner of Blue Oak RV Park in Kerrville, said that while she personally went door-to-door urging guests to evacuate, the lack of an automated warning system like the one used for tornadoes could have saved more lives.
“Cell service in the Texas Hill Country is spotty,” Guillen noted, pointing out that a siren could have been a critical backup to phone alerts.
Community Preparedness and Collaboration
Kendall County also took proactive steps to ensure public safety. Brady Constantine, the county’s fire marshal and emergency management coordinator, set up a warning system in advance of the flood and alerted Morales about the rising Guadalupe River.
By 4:30 a.m., the fire station had set up a command center, and by 5:30 a.m., the county sent its first wireless emergency message, ahead of additional alerts throughout the morning.
The county’s swift response, supported by the sirens and emergency messaging, helped prevent further loss of life. County Judge Shane Stolarczyk credited the warning system, noting its importance in facilitating a quick response.
He emphasized that the county would review the system after the event to determine ways to enhance it in the future.
The Cost of Safety and Future Plans
The installation of the siren system in Comfort cost approximately $70,000, with 80% of the funding provided by a nonprofit organization. The sirens, alongside other alerts such as flash flood warnings, were crucial in ensuring the community’s safety.
Cruz Newberry, who oversaw the installation of Comfort’s system, explained that the sirens are a last-resort measure, following other notifications like media alerts and phone warnings. “It’s difficult to ignore a siren blaring for three minutes straight,” he said, highlighting the siren’s effectiveness as a reliable warning method.
Following this event, Comfort’s emergency response system is likely to be further refined. Morales shared that funders have already reached out about potentially adding a third siren in town, signaling a commitment to enhancing the safety infrastructure in the future.
The use of an emergency siren system in Comfort during last week’s floods is a prime example of how timely warnings can save lives. While Kerr County lacked such a system, Comfort’s preparedness played a vital role in preventing fatalities.
As the community evaluates its emergency response systems, the hope is that more areas in Texas will follow Comfort’s lead and invest in early warning technologies to protect residents from future disasters.
