Texas forecasters issued a series of early-morning warnings about “life-threatening flooding” along the Guadalupe River.

Some experts say staff shortages might have complicated forecasters’ ability to coordinate responses with local emergency management officials.

Torrential rain and flash floods hit parts of central Texas on Friday. At least 24 people have died in the floods, and more than 20 children are missing from Camp Mystic. The National Weather Service said the Guadalupe River at Hunt hit its second-highest height on record.

Before heading to bed before the Fourth of July holiday, Christopher Flowers checked the weather while staying at a friend’s house along the Guadalupe River. Nothing in the forecast alarmed him. Hours later,