Over 100 people have died after heavy rain pounded Kerr County, Texas, early Friday, leading to "catastrophic" flooding, the sheriff said.

Weather warnings predicted devastation from both the Texas floods and Hurricane Helene. But in both disasters, people were left in harm’s way.

Heavy rains spurred deadly flooding along the Guadalupe River in central Texas on the Fourth of July, leaving at least 120 people dead, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a girls' Christian camp that sits along the river. More than 160 people remain missing as of July 11.

Max Chesnes is the Tampa Bay Times' environment and climate reporter, covering public lands, water quality, wildlife and everything in between. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Instagram @MaxChesnes. Anyone can view a sampling of recent comments, but you must be a Times subscriber to contribute. Log in above or subscribe here.

The president has defended his administration's response to the fatal flooding amid criticism that federal assistance could have been provided more quickly.

Sirens are also limited to a certain radius of people who can hear during “clear” conditions. Heavy rainfall and river currents can obstruct the sound, making it unreliable.

There's no sense in finger-pointing over whether or not alerts went out fast enough in Texas, said Landry. As she sees it, preparing for the weather comes down to knowing the landscape where you live and planning out what to do if disaster strikes. "You have to be aware and prepared," she said.

The Guadalupe River set a new all-time high in Hunt, Texas, this weekend after deadly floods inundated the region.