Officials in Texas are facing mounting questions about whether they did enough to get people out of harm’s way before a flash flood swept down the Guadalupe River and killed more than 100 people, including at least 27 children and counselors at an all-girls Christian camp.

Flash floods surged through in the middle of the night, but many local officials appeared unaware of the unfolding catastrophe, initially leaving people near the river on their own.

In the aftermath of deadly Hill Country flooding, Texas’ junior U.S. Senator is defending the National Weather Service, as questions surface over the agency’s forecast timing, urgency and communication.

The National Weather Service says Flash Flood Warnings were issued on July 3 and early July 4 in Texas, giving more than three hours of warning.

Frustration for some is growing over warnings and evacuation orders given ahead of the storms that dumped water on the Guadalupe River, causing the devastating flash floods that slammed the Texas Hill Country.

AccuWeather said the private forecasting company and the National Weather Service sent warnings about potential flash flooding hours before the devastation.

The heavy rainfall that caused flash flooding in Ruidoso has killed at least three people, including two children.