Emergency officials are starting to focus on alert systems as they search for answers about how the flash flooding swept away so many.

State and local officials in Texas have come under scrutiny over the lack of sirens in place to warn people of impending flash flooding.

Local officials in one of the hardest-hit counties have still revealed little about what, if any, actions they took to safeguard residents, tourists, and visitors in an area known as “flash flood alley.