The sirens sounded throughout the community as the Guadalupe River rose, bringing with it the threat of flooding.
Daniel Morales, the assistant chief of the Comfort Volunteer Fire Station, feels that the prolonged notes of the sirens played a crucial role in saving lives on July 4th.
These sirens are a testament to the community’s proactive choices following devastating floods in the past, which have resulted in the loss of at least 118 lives in their area, including 27 campers and counselors in nearby Kerr County. In contrast, this region previously lacked an effective warning system.
According to Morales, the residents of this tightly-knit community, with a population of over 2,200, banded together to evacuate and avoid the flood’s wrath.
Community Driven by Past Experiences
Morales has served in the fire department for many years, with memories of the 1978 flood still fresh in his mind—it claimed 33 lives, including that of his grandfather. So, when the chance arose to enhance the town’s emergency warning system last year, he and other residents eagerly sought funding.
The fire station needed modern sirens. After securing a new one, Morales found a company in Missouri willing to renovate the older equipment for a reasonable price. They relocated it to Comfort Park and linked it to a US Geological Survey sensor situated on Cypress Creek. This sensor activates the siren at specific water levels, and it can also be triggered manually.
Challenges of Funding the Sirens
“We’re doing this for our safety and our community,” Morales stated. Reflecting on recent drought conditions, he noted that without them, the creeks might not have been as low, potentially leading to another disastrous incident like in 1978.
The funding for these sirens was gathered through various channels: grants, county budgets, and local electric utilities that provided poles. They also installed flood sensor gauges in the stream, and overall costs ranged between $50,000 and $60,000, maybe slightly more, according to Morales.
In contrast, the estimated cost for a broader flood warning system in Kerr County ran close to $1 million. When opportunities for funding fell through, many local officials had to abandon plans to set up warning systems near the campsite where many young campers tragically lost their lives.
The Guadalupe River, which flows about 90 miles east of Kerr County into Comal County, has a complex route that takes it back through Canyon Lake before reaching San Antonio Bay. The county has now committed to funding the expansion of the flood sirens alongside partners like Guadalupe County, the New Braunfels Municipal Government, and a state-formed recreation district. This project was wrapped up in 2015, and currently, Comal County oversees a system that incorporates river gauges and height notifications. No responses were received from county officials regarding inquiries about the system’s costs.
Importance of Community Education
Once the upgraded sirens were installed, the fire station planned to dedicate months to training the community. They’ve become accustomed to hearing the noon test, and whenever they hear the sirens at different times, it will signal them to check local TV updates, the department’s Facebook page, and more.
Sirens produce specific sounds—distinct alerts for tornadoes and a flat, prolonged tone for floods.
On July 4th, without the reassurance from phone alerts, radio announcements, or firefighters urging evacuation, the long tone quickened reactions to leave their homes. A post on the department’s Facebook page underscored the urgency—to evacuate all residents near the river.
Fortunately, Comfort experienced the impact of the flash floods somewhat indirectly, as many residents were already alert to the rising water levels when the sirens activated. Reports indicated that the Guadalupe River surged alarmingly, rising from waist-high to three stories within a mere two hours.
Morales isn’t certain if the sirens made a difference in Kerr County, but he believes they provided vital warnings for Comfort residents. Recently, he mentioned receiving inquiries about adding a third siren to enhance safety measures.
“Whatever we can do to bolster our system, we’ll sit down and figure it out,” he said. “With everything happening, it might be time to further enhance our emergency system.”
This article was edited to clarify the county’s name as Kerr County.
