Deadly Texas flood exposes 'neglected' weather alert system Trump aims to modernize

"The National Weather Service has indicated that with that and the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration] (NOAA), we needed to renew this ancient system that has been left in place with the federal government for many, many years."

Cantwell, at the time, said the firings would jeopardize the government's ability to "forecast and respond to extreme weather events like hurricanes, wildfires and floods," and would be "putting communities in harm's way."

While the agency would not confirm the number of layoffs, a NOAA spokesperson previously told Fox News Digital the agency "remains dedicated to its mission, providing timely information, research and resources that serve the American public and ensure our nation's environmental and economic resilience."

The National Weather Service told Noem its notifications department started to look at expansion of its limited flood impact area at 1:18 p.m. local time Thursday, about 12 hours before the tragedy.

Though a flood watch was issued, Noem described it as a "moderate" alert.

Initial reports indicated heavy rain Friday morning caused the Guadalupe River to rise nearly 30 feet in 45 minutes. 

Texas officials in Kerr County on Saturday confirmed at least 43 deaths, including 14 children.

As of Saturday afternoon, 27 young girls remain missing.

"I do carry your concerns back to the federal government, to President Trump, and we will do all we can to fix those kinds of things that may have felt like a failure to you and to your community members," Noem told a reporter. 

"We know that everybody wants more warning time, and that's why we're working to upgrade the technologies that have been neglected for far too long, to make sure that families have as much advanced notice as possible," she added.

Noem said reform is ongoing, though she did not announce a specific timeline.

Fox News Digital's Aubrie Spady contributed to this report.