Trump tours Texas flood-stricken area: "I've never witnessed anything like this" - Trump tours Texas flood area, expresses surprise: "I've never witnessed anything like this"
In early July 2025, Central Texas was hit by a catastrophic flood, with Kerr County, particularly around the July 4 celebrations, bearing the brunt of the disaster. The tragedy resulted in a loss of life and extensive devastation, making it one of the deadliest disasters in recent Texas history.
The flood was triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry colliding with a stalled frontal boundary, causing extreme rainfall—over 10 inches in a few hours—which led to the Guadalupe River rising nearly 29 feet in under an hour. This rapid onset left many, including campers at Camp Mystic, unable to evacuate.
The investigation into the disaster's responsibility is focusing on local preparedness and the failure to adequately warn residents. The issues identified include insufficient warning infrastructure and a lack of activation of a countywide emergency push alert system by Kerr County officials, despite multiple watches and warnings before the flood. Emergency alerts were not received by all residents, partly due to poor cell coverage.
Local authorities and lawmakers are currently examining the local response to flood warnings, with legislative measures being considered to address these shortcomings. On the federal level, the response, notably from FEMA, though not detailed here, is part of the multi-state emergency assistance.
Approximately 2,100 personnel from 10 states are assisting in recovery and cleanup efforts in difficult terrain. US network CNN reported that federal aid for Texas only started 72 hours after the flood.
The debate over the Texas flood disaster has focused on the national emergency management agency FEMA, which is under Trump's homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. Criticism of FEMA is growing, with experts seeing the main responsibility for the delayed weather warnings in Texas with local authorities.
Despite this, President Donald Trump visited the flood-stricken area in Texas, specifically Kerrville in Kerr County. Trump expressed shock at the extent of the damage caused by the floods and sharply criticized media representatives who questioned the response of the authorities after the flood disaster. He met with first responders, victims' relatives, and officials during his visit.
Trump has stated that no one could have foreseen such a catastrophe in Texas. However, he has dismissed media reports that his ordered cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) played a role in the catastrophic consequences of the Texas flood.
As of now, more than 50 people are still missing following the floods in Texas, and at least 120 people have died due to the floods. Numerous children are among the victims, as they were participating in summer camps. The tragedy has left a deep impact on the community, and efforts are ongoing to rebuild and recover.
- In light of the devastating flood in Central Texas, the US President, Donald Trump, visited the flood-stricken area, particularly Kerrville in Kerr County, stating, "something I have, yet, never, seen."
- The political debate over the disaster's management has focused on FEMA, a national emergency management agency under Trump's homeland security secretary Kristi Noem. Despite this, questions about local preparedness, warning systems, and emergency alerts have become central in the general-news.
