KERR COUNTY, Texas – Kerr County said it plans to spend approximately $30,000 on the installation of flood warning sirens along the Guadalupe River.
The flood warning systems, which include sirens, will be controlled by Kerr County, commissioners revealed in a Tuesday morning meeting.
The meeting came after the county became the first in Texas to install and test new state-funded flash flood warning sirens and sensors under Senate Bill 3.
The county expects to install around 30 sirens, Kerr County Commissioners said. Maintenance would cost $700 to $1,000 annually per siren.
Precinct 1 Commissioner Tom Jones said if a flood hit the area on Wednesday, the county has “the ability and information flowing in today to be able to push a button and set those alarm systems off.”
Additionally, the commissioners discussed utilizing a “flashing site” instead of sirens in some smaller, flash-flood-prone areas.
“A lot of those areas, yes, they will flood, but they’re not flash floods and there’s never been any danger or loss of life,” Jones said.
Because those areas have “low water crossings,” Jones suggested flashing lights to warn others of floods rather than a siren.
The commissioners are asking the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to fund the flashing lights.
“TxDOT has got plenty of money when it comes to that,” Jones said. “We just need to make the right appeal for them to start dealing with our roadways.”
Last month, Kerr County installed and tested new flash flood warning sirens and sensors funded through Senate Bill 3, which included $50 million in state funding. Kerr County was allocated $1.25 million for the project.
According to the county and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority, the sirens were placed on both private and public property. Alerts can be sent out either by the National Weather Service or manually.
Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring said the system includes more than sirens.
“We have six sirens in the western end of the county where the camps are, but that’s also coupled with a system of warning gauges and warning sensors that tell river depth, river speed and rainfall,” Herring said.
The current system is considered the first phase of the project. A second phase is planned for summer 2027, according to Kerr Together.
Commissioners have estimated final costs at about $5 million.
The commissioners’ meeting begins at 11 a.m. Updates are expected after leaders discuss the agenda item and decide whether to take action.
Saturday marks one year since the July 4, 2025, Guadalupe River flood that killed more than 100 people in Kerr County.
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