President Donald Trump on Friday defended the federal and state response to the catastrophic flash flooding that struck Texas’s Hill Country last week, killing at least 120 people — including dozens of children — and leaving more than 160 still unaccounted for.
During a visit to Kerr County, the hardest-hit area, Trump toured damaged sites and met with survivors, first responders, and officials. He praised Texas Governor Greg Abbott and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, calling their efforts “incredible.”
However, frustration is mounting across the state as many residents question whether more could have been done to prevent or mitigate the disaster. The floods, triggered by a torrential downpour in the early hours of July 4, saw water levels along the Guadalupe River rise from 1 foot to over 34 feet in just hours, sweeping away entire structures and devastating riverside communities, including the historic Camp Mystic, where dozens of children perished.
At a roundtable in Kerrville, Trump reacted angrily when asked about public concerns over inadequate warnings. “Everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances,” he said.
Critics, however, have pointed to Trump’s recently passed spending bill, signed into law the same day as the flooding, which slashed funding for emergency services and the National Weather Service. While administration officials insist the budget cuts did not affect storm forecasting, vacancies and resource gaps in local NWS offices remain a concern.
Kerr County had previously attempted to install an early-warning system but failed to secure the necessary state funds. Longtime resident Lawrence Walker said, “The response has been fine since the water hit 8 feet. But where was the prevention?”
Despite calls for accountability, Governor Abbott has brushed aside blame, labelling such discussions “the word choice of losers.” A special legislative session has been scheduled later this month to address the flooding’s aftermath and consider disaster relief funding.
Search and recovery efforts continue, though no survivors have been found since the day of the disaster. Emergency crews, equipped with protective gear, are still combing through debris along the riverbanks, hoping to locate those missing.
As Trump and First Lady Melania Trump walked through the damage near the river, signs of tension were visible. Outside a local gas station, graffiti accused “Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill” of cutting “our emergency funding.”
Despite the backlash, some residents defended the government’s actions. “It’s tragic, but people still choose to build on the river,” said Jon Moreno, a Kerrville resident whose home was spared. “This wasn’t preventable — not the way it happened.”
The Hill Country, known as “flash flood alley,” has long faced extreme weather risks, but this tragedy marks the deadliest natural disaster so far during Trump’s second term. Whether political or structural reforms will follow remains uncertain, but for grieving families and overwhelmed communities, the need for answers — and action — is only growing.