Kerr County officials reportedly failed to activate a powerful public alert system that could have saved lives before last week’s devastating flood.The Washington Post revealed that despite having the technology to turn every mobile phone in the river valley into a loud alarm,

Crews are using construction equipment to clear vehicles, trees and homes in a race to locate more than 170 people still missing since Friday’s devastating flood.

As of 8 a.m. on Thursday, 96 people — 60 adults and 36 children — are dead in Kerr County after Hill Country flooding, authorities said.

The number of fatalities connected to the Kerr County floods has risen to 75, local officials said Monday as search and rescue efforts continue and Camp Mystic grieved ”the loss of 27 campers and counselors”.

A Texas county rejected siren alert systems in the past due to high costs. But after recent flash floods, state and local officials face renewed questions.