Secretary of Homeland Security
Kristi Noem
grew emotional as she described her trip to Camp Mystic in Texas, which had been destroyed by flooding that resulted in the deaths of at least 27 campers and staff members.
The Context
Massive flooding across central Texas during the Fourth of July holiday shattered a 93-year-old record on the Guadalupe River and resulted in over 100 fatalities, with many others still unaccounted for.
The National Weather Service (NWS) sent out immediate alerts to residents throughout central Texas as intense rainfall brought several months’ worth of precipitation all at once, leading to the onset of…
The Guadalupe River is expected to rise approximately 25 feet.
in only 45 minutes.
The rising waters swept individuals from their cottages, tents, and mobile homes, carrying them for many miles alongside drifting logs and vehicles. Several survivors were discovered holding onto trees.
The devastating event has also led to increased political examination of the Trump administration and sparked doubts about whether the government’s emergency response was hindered by significant reductions.
Elon Musk
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)’s actions directed at the NWS and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
What To Know
Noem’s voice cracked on Tuesday when she remembered her trip to Camp Mystic during a TV-conducted cabinet session.
The
Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary stated that she felt as though she was “somewhat broken down” within the cabin where “all the young girls passed away.” She mentioned that emergency personnel in Texas continue to search for many young girls who were carried away during the flooding.
Noem stated that Texans have experienced an ordeal that is truly terrible, and it is deeply distressing to see these families endure such hardship.
Noem also mentioned she was “taken aback” upon seeing the destruction at the facility, stating, “The families searching for their kids and retrieving their daughters’ plush toys from the dirt, discovering their child’s footwear scattered inside the building, and simply embracing one another to offer comfort means a great deal.”
She remembered meeting one of the fathers at the camp and questioned whether he was employed there.
I went up to him, embraced him, and asked, “Are you employed here?”
“No, my daughter was in that cabin,” Noem said he told her. “I just discovered her closest friend about an hour and a half earlier.” The child had died. And he completely broke down. Then they simply embraced and spent around an hour talking about it.
The trip was described as “deeply moving” and “extremely heartbreaking,” Noem stated.
Texas Governor
Greg Abbott
declared
a condition of emergency across 15 counties: Bandera, Coke, Comal, Concho, Gillespie, Kendall, Kerr, Kimble, Llano, Mason, McCulloch, Menard, Reeves, San Saba, and Tom Green.
Ongoing search and retrieval operations involve local and regional authorities, along with global aquatic emergency response units and fire personnel.
which were dispatched from Mexico
.
On Tuesday,
Previous NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad spoke with CNN
that “one of the challenging problems” during the latest flooding event was the absence of a warning coordination meteorologist at the NWS’ Austin/San Antonio branch, which he described as an essential role.
“The person who held that role accepted one of the retirement packages the administration introduced several months back,” Spinrad stated.
A NOAA spokesperson told
In a statement, additional staff members were deployed at the NWS Austin/San Antonio and San Angelo offices throughout the flooding event, with the acknowledgment that “the NWS continues to be committed to fulfilling its role of supporting the American people via its weather predictions and assistance in decision-making processes.”
What People Are Saying
On Sunday, President Donald Trump was questioned about whether the government should bring back meteorologists who had their positions eliminated, and he responded with:
I suppose not. This occurred in an instant. No one anticipated it. No one witnessed it. Highly skilled individuals were present, yet they missed it. It’s, I assume, described as something that happens once every hundred years. They’ve never encountered anything similar before.
Press secretary of the White House, Karoline Leavitt
said
Regrettably, following this rare natural catastrophe, we have witnessed numerous false claims being promoted by
Democrats
For example, Senator Chuck Schumer and certain journalists. Accusing President Trump of these flooding incidents is a despicable falsehood, and it has no place during this period of nationwide grief.
What Happens Next
Most of Texas has had flood alerts lifted, yet search and aid operations will persist as many individuals remain unaccounted for.
The Associated Press provided coverage for this report.
Related Articles
-
A Map Highlights States Where Airport Security Does Not Require Removing Footwear
A Visual Guide to Locations That Have Eliminated Shoe Removal at Airport Checkpoints
An Interactive Map Displays Areas Where Passengers Are Not Asked to Take Off Their Shoes
States with Airports Skipping the Shoe-Removal Procedure Shown on a Map
Airport Security Changes: A Map of Regions Without Mandatory Shoe Removal
Locations Featuring Airports That No Longer Need Travelers to Remove Their Shoes
A Graphic Representation of Places Where Airport Screening Exempts Shoe Removal
Maps Illustrate U.S. Areas Where Taking Off Shoes Is No Longer Required for Flights
Interactive Tool Reveals States Offering Enhanced Airport Security without Shoe Checks
Travel Updates: Maps Showing Airports That Skip the Traditional Shoe Inspection - Who Is Scott Ruskin? Coast Guard Hero Rescues 165 Individuals During Flooding in Texas
-
Trump Issues Emergency Order for Severe Flooding in Texas
President Donald Trump Approves Disaster Aid Following Devastating Floods in Texas
Trump Grants Federal Assistance After Catastrophic Flooding Hits Texas
White House Declares State of Emergency Over Harsh Flood Conditions in Texas
Trump Announces Relief Measures Amid Ongoing Crisis from Texas Deluges
Federal Authorities Activate Support Package for Victims of Texas Storms
Trump Endorses Disaster Response Efforts as Texas Struggles with Major Flooding
Government Allocates Resources to Assist Communities Affected by Texas Floods -
Trump Says He Is Heartbroken About Flooding in Texas Amid Commitment of Federal Assistance
Trump Expresses Deep Sorrow Regarding Floods in Texas with Promise of Government Support
Trump Feels Devastated by Texas Flooding While Vowing Federal Relief Efforts
Trump Shows Emotional Response to Texas Deluge With Assurance of National Help
Trump Reports Feeling Upset Over Texas Water Disasters Alongside Offers for Federal Funding
Trump Experiences Sadness Due to Flooding in Texas and Announces Federal Aid Measures
Trump Demonstrates Distress at Texas Flood Situation with Declaration of Federal Assistance
Trump Conveys Grief Over Texas Catastrophe and Confirms Federal Recovery Plans
Trump Exhibits Emotional Reaction to Texas Storm Damage and Promises Official Support
Trump Displays Shocked Emotion from Texas Flood Crisis and Guarantees Government Aid
Start your unlimited trial
