local
A year after catastrophic floods, Texas expands warning sirens as communities question whether it's enough
By Brian New at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW
· June 24, 2026
· 4 min read
When a catastrophic flood hit Kerr County last summer, killing more than 100 people, residents across the state demanded to know what went wrong. One of the major issues identified: in much of the affected area, communities did not have outdoor warning sirens. Lawmakers vowed to address the probl...
Key takeaway New sirens going up in flood-prone parts of Texas In the days after the July 4th weekend flooding last year, State Sen.
Why this matters in Southlake News
The expansion of warning sirens in flood-prone areas of Texas may bring some sense of relief to communities still reeling from last year's catastrophic floods, but for Southlake residents, the question remains whether such measures would be effective in their own backyard. As a community situated within the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Southlake's proximity to major waterways and urban development puts it at risk for flash flooding. The concerns raised by Kerr County resident Randy Murphy about the limitations of sirens in confined areas and during intense storms are particularly relevant to Southlake, where urbanization and rapid growth may exacerbate flood risks. As Texas continues to roll out new sirens, Southlake residents should be watching to see how the state's grant program and Senate Bill 3 might be applied to their own community, and whether more sophisticated solutions like sensor networks might be needed to effectively mitigate flood risks.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Southlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 24, 2026 ·
Source: CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? When a catastrophic flood hit Kerr County last summer, killing more than 100 people, residents across the state demanded to know what went wrong. One of the major issues identified: in much of the affected area, communities did not have outdoor warning sirens. Lawmakers vowed to address the probl...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 24, 2026 by CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW and curated for Southlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Brian New at CBS Texas (KTVT) DFW. To learn more about how Southlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Southlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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