Since 2016, the topic of a "flood warning system" for Kerr County has come up at 20 different county commissioners' meetings, according to minutes. The idea for a system was first introduced by Kerr County Commissioner Thomas Moser and Emergency Management Coordinator Dub Thomas in March 2016.

There are more than 100 emergency personnel on the ground working to reunite families, the sheriff said. A large-scale search and rescue effort is ongoing.

NBC News’ Morgan Chesky asks Kerrville, Texas, Mayor Joe Herring Jr. about records showing that the concept of flood warnings had been discussed at least two dozen times by Kerr County.