U.S. President Donald Trump has arrived in Texas amid growing concerns regarding the government’s response to catastrophic flash floods that have tragically claimed the lives of at least 120 individuals, including many children.
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The President and First Lady Melania Trump arrived by helicopter in the Hill Country of central Texas to meet with first responders, affected families, and local authorities. This visit comes in the aftermath of a torrential rainstorm that led to a swollen river devastating homes, camp cabins, recreational vehicles, and lives.
Upon landing in Kerrville, a city situated in the heart of the hardest-hit Kerr County—reportedly suffering 96 confirmed fatalities—the couple was welcomed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott. “We’re going to be there with some of the great families of flood victims,” Mr. Trump remarked before departing the White House, referring to the disaster as a “terrible thing.”
However, as the week progressed without any reported live rescues, fears have intensified that the death toll may yet rise.
Trump Addresses Funding Cuts Concerns
In response to inquiries regarding the impact of his cuts to federal agencies on the flood response, Mr. Trump labeled the event a “100-year catastrophe” that “nobody expected.” Despite this, he has chosen to sidestep questions about the funding cuts.
Homeland Security Department head Kristi Noem defended the immediate response, asserting that it was “swift and efficient.” Nonetheless, as questions arose about the delay in emergency evacuation messages for residents along the flooding Guadalupe River, Mr. Trump voiced his support for a robust flood warning system. “After having seen this horrible event, you would imagine alarms would be put in place to warn of large amounts of water or other dangers,” he stated to NBC News. “But the local officials were hit by this just like everybody else.”
Questions Surround FEMA
The catastrophic floods, among the most devastating in recent U.S. history, have reignited discussions about Mr. Trump’s plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in favor of increased state-level responsibility. Following the disaster, FEMA initiated its response after Mr. Trump signed a major disaster declaration to facilitate the release of federal resources.
However, the President has yet to address queries regarding FEMA’s future. Ms. Noem has previously suggested that FEMA should be “eliminated” in its current form during a government review meeting.
In Kerr County, known as “Flash Flood Alley,” at least 36 children tragically lost their lives during this disaster, coinciding with the start of the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
Delays in Alerts
Reports have emerged regarding the delays in early alerts at the local level, which could potentially have saved lives. Experts assert that forecasters performed admirably under the circumstances, issuing timely and accurate warnings despite the unpredictable weather changes.
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha indicated that he first received emergency notifications between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m. On July 4, at 4:22 a.m., a firefighter in Ingram—situated upstream of Kerrville—requested the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office to alert residents of the impending flood. However, it was reported that the initial alert did not reach Kerr County’s CodeRED system for a staggering 90 minutes.
In some instances, warnings did not reach residents until after 10 a.m., well after hundreds had already been swept away. The flooding of the Guadalupe River dealt a particularly severe blow to summer camps along its banks, including Camp Mystic, where 27 girls and counselors tragically lost their lives.
As this unfolding tragedy continues to grab national attention, the ripples of inquiry into preparedness and response remain steady.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
