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After Texas floods killed at least 32 people on Friday, Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem has addressed criticism of the pre-flood notification, saying the administration is working to update the National Weather Service and NOAA’s “ignored” and “ancient” systems.
As her time in Congress and the governor of South Dakota, Noem said that while weather is difficult to predict, there have been cases where she has expressed the need for quick warnings and clearer notices before fatal weather.
“That’s one of the reasons I was president. [Donald] Trump has taken office, he said he wants to fix it and he is currently upgrading his technology,” Noem said at a press conference with state officials on Saturday afternoon.
“The National Weather Service [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] (NOAA), we had to update this ancient system that has been left behind with the federal government for many years. ”
Parents desperately seeking answers about missing campers after floods in Texas
Crews are working Saturday to clear debris from the Cadeloop Bridge along the Guadalupe River in Ingram, Texas. (AP photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
The National Weather Service told NOEM that the notification department has begun considering expanding its limited flood impact area at 1:18pm on Saturday, about 12 hours before the tragedy.
A flood clock was issued, but Noem described it as a “medium” alert.
“when [weather] The system came to this area, it was stuck,” she said. [what] We’ve experienced [Hurricane] Harvey could not predict in the same type of system, reacting here in a stopped way, and discarding the unprecedented amount of rain that caused such flood events. ”
The drone view shows road debris after flash flood in Texas comfort. (Reuters/Marco Bello)
At least six people will die as the Texas River floods compete to find emergency crews missing. The camp has been evacuated
First reports showed that the Guadalupe River rose nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes on Friday morning.
Weather Services employees told NOEM they continued to raise notifications, but said those alerts likely passed early in the morning hours when local residents were sleeping.
Texas officials confirmed at least 32 deaths on Saturday, including 14 children.
DHS Executive Director Kristi Noem and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott will discuss ongoing efforts following the recent flooding along the Guadalupe River at a press conference in Ingram, Texas on Saturday. (AP photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez)
Homeland Security Secretary Christie Noem was hospitalized after an allergic reaction
One of the most challenging hit areas was Camp Mystic, an all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, Texas.
As of Saturday afternoon, 27 young girls remained missing.
“I will take your concerns back to the federal government, President Trump, and I will do everything I can to fix such things that may have felt like I’ve failed,” Noem told reporters.
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“We know that everyone wants more warning times, which is why we’re working to upgrade technology that has been ignored for so long and make sure our families have as advanced notifications as possible,” she added.
Noem said reforms were ongoing, but she did not release a specific timeline.
Alexandra Koch is a news writer for Fox News Digital. Before joining Fox News, Alexandra covered news, crime, religion and military in the Southeast.
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