President Trump made a trip to the flood-affected Kerr County, standing by the actions taken by state and federal authorities while commending local officials, even as concerns grow regarding the shortcomings in early-warning systems and reductions in FEMA funding.
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On Friday, President Donald Trump visited Kerr County, Texas, to inspect the impact of flash floods that killed 120 people, including 36 children, and left 160 missing. Trump told first responders and local authorities that the state and federal government did “an incredible job under the circumstances” during a briefing. He complimented Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for their leadership amid early-warning system failures and federal disaster preparedness concerns.
The Guadalupe River surged from one foot to 34 feet in less than an hour after severe rains spilled more than a foot of water in under an hour in the early morning hours of July 4. The flood at the institution Mystic, a historic all-girls Christian institution, killed dozens of children and damaged neighborhoods. Kerr County, in “flash flood alley,” has long been vulnerable to sudden, devastating floods, but officials had neglected to implement a flood warning system owing to financing concerns.
Trump called a reporter's question about neighbors' frustrations over delayed alerts “very evil” and reiterated that responders performed appropriately. Critics also point to the administration's budget cuts to the National Weather Service and FEMA, which hindered early detection and response. Trump officials disputed any impact on predicting, but they have not addressed how FEMA's restructuring may have hampered the pace of emergency mobilization.
State and federal funding help search and rescue teams find survivors in the flood-ravaged region. Since the disaster's beginning, no one has survived. In addition to killing people, the storm damaged the Guadalupe River infrastructure.
Governor Abbott summoned a special legislative session to explore and strengthen flood preparedness. Trump replied, “I will tell you some other time” when asked about his long-term FEMA plans, while allies say his visit shows dedication to a Republican state that firmly supports him.
The worst natural disaster of Trump's presidency has prompted calls for a complete reform of Texas's and the nation's emergency response infrastructure.
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