A Kerrville-area river authority executed a contract for a flood warning system that would have been used to help with emergency response, local officials said.

Authorities confirmed Wednesday that 120 people have died in the central Texas floods. Follow for live updates.

By Jane Ross and Maria Alejandra Cardona KERRVILLE, Texas (Reuters) -Officials in flood-stricken central Texas on Wednesday again deflected mounting questions about whether they could have done more to warn people ahead of devastating flash flooding that killed at least 119 people on July 4.

Kerr County, Texas and national search and rescue operations will continue Monday around the Guadalupe River, where families wait for news of their loved ones.

Over the last decade, an array of local and state agencies have missed opportunities to fund a flood warning system intended to avert the type of disaster that swept away dozens in Kerr County, Texas.

At least 120 people have died and some 173 people remain unaccounted for statewide, nearly a week after flash floods ravaged the Texas Hill Country.

A 20-month-old Austin boy died in the Kerr County flash flood after his family’s home was engulfed by water, a family member confirmed.

Twice, the Texas Division of Emergency Management turned down Kerr County's requests for money to improve flood warnings.