As the state mourns the deaths caused by the floods, the disaster is drawing attention to the effectiveness of the Blue Alert system.

Blue Alerts are issued to help catch people who are believed to have wounded or killed local, state or federal law enforcement officers. Here are the criteria for a Blue Alert: A law enforcement officer must have been killed or seriously injured by an offender.

Benjamin Hanil Song is accused of shooting an Alvarado police officer during an attack on the Prairieland Detention Center.

Texas is one of several states that use Blue Alerts, but what is it, and how does it differ from AMBER Alerts?

While there was resounding pushback over the state's historical use of the alert system, some users provided alternatives for those who wanted a way to stay informed when it comes to severe weather.

A Texas firefighter pleaded for an alert amid rising flood waters. It took an hour to go out - Leaked audio provides new alert timeline as officials face scrutiny over when residents first learned of

The first weather emergency alert sent by the National Weather Service with urgent language instructing people to "seek higher ground now" was sent at 4:03 a.m. local time.

Officials in Texas are promising to address concerns about flood warnings in parts of the state, but say the ongoing search-and-rescue efforts must be complete first.