Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem slammed the “ancient system” used to warn the public of potential weather threats — and vowed the Trump administration plans to “fix” the technology.
Sitting next to Gov. Greg Abbott, Noem was asked why the National Weather Service’s alerts about the heavy rainfall and flash flooding were “delayed,” and said the situation was inherited.
“The weather is extremely difficult to predict,” Noem insisted. “But also … the National Weather Service, over the years at times, has done well and at times, we have all wanted more time and more warning and more notification.”
Added Noem: “We needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years and that is the reforms that are ongoing there.”
The death toll rose Saturday evening to 43, including 28 adults and 15 children killed in the rising waters.
So far, the bodies of three children and five adults have yet to be identified.
Residents were warned of “moderate” storm systems at approximately 1:18 p.m. on July 3.
The NWS said it was “heartbroken by the tragic loss of life in Kerr County,” and added it issued flash flood warnings the night of July 3 and then again the morning of July 4, the weather service said in a statement to NBC News.
Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, said local NWS were adequately staffed and “issued timely forecasts and warnings leading up to the storm.”
Abbott said the search for survivors wouldn’t end until all missing Texans were found.
“We will find every one of them,” Abbott vowed. “When Texas faces a challenge, we come together, we unite. It’s what Texans do, it’s what we will continue to do… We will not stop today or tomorrow, we will stop when it’s finish.”
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