BY TRINA “INDI” JOHNSON
Special to the NEWS
On Tuesday, July 29, the wail of San Benito’s outdoor warning siren echoed from behind City Hall, marking its first test in nearly 20 years.
With Texas still grappling with the aftermath of the Kerr County flooding that claimed hundreds of lives on July 4, 2025, the timing of this test underscores the urgency of reliable alert systems in flood-prone areas like the Rio Grande Valley, according to officials.
The city plans to conduct brief 10-second siren tests daily at noon while upgrading the system with new technology to expand its reach across San Benito. In a recent Facebook post, officials stressed that community safety is their top priority and pledged to share future test schedules and updates.
Residents took to social media with nostalgia and support. “I remember being little and hearing it at noon,” said Teresa M. Hernandez.
“It meant my dad was coming home for lunch.” Esther Guerra-Ibanez shared, “Growing up, that siren went off at 8 a.m., 12 p.m., and 6 p.m. My grandfather would stand up from his chair every time it sounded. I’m not sure why.”
She added, “This is great! With so many disasters happening, every town and city needs these alarms. Thank you, City of San Benito, for bringing this back!”
Sandra Cruz echoed the sentiment: “Sounds like the city is on the right track with the alarm system testing and expansion plans. Love it!”
The Kerr County floods, where delayed alerts and a lack of sirens left many unaware of rising waters, highlight the stakes.
Unlike Comfort, Texas, which used sirens to warn residents in July, many rural areas like San Benito rely on cell-based systems that can fail in areas with poor coverage.
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is pushing for state-funded sirens, stating in a July 7, 2025, interview with CBS News, “If the city can’t afford to do it, then let us do it.” With a special legislative session addressing flood preparedness, San Benito’s siren test is a timely step forward, officials said.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED alerts through Cameron County’s website and monitor National Weather Service updates, especially during hurricane season. For more information, contact City Hall at (956) 361-3800 or visit sanbenitotx.gov for siren upgrade updates.
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