White House Deflects Blame as Texas Flood Death Toll Tops 100
KERR COUNTY, TEXAS — The White House is forcefully pushing back against mounting criticism from Texas officials who claim that recent catastrophic floods — now confirmed to have killed more than 100 people — may have been worsened by federal staffing cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS).
The disaster struck over the Fourth of July weekend, turning holiday celebrations into a nightmare as torrential rains sent the Guadalupe River surging more than 26 feet in mere hours. Entire neighborhoods in Kerrville and surrounding towns were submerged. Mobile homes, cars, and lakeside cabins packed with families were ripped from their foundations and swept away.
Officials say the region received a month’s worth of rain in a single day, forcing multiple counties to declare a state of emergency.
Accusations and Political Tensions Rise
As rescue crews continue the grim task of recovering bodies, questions are being raised about whether more lives could have been saved with stronger federal preparedness. A report by The New York Times revealed that key positions at local NWS offices were left vacant — a consequence, some say, of cost-cutting reforms led by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative under the Trump administration and spearheaded by Elon Musk.
Some local leaders argue that the lack of staffing may have delayed or diminished critical flood warnings. The suggestion that federal decisions may have contributed to the disaster quickly drew a sharp rebuke from Washington.
Leavitt Calls Criticism “A Depraved Lie”
During a press briefing Sunday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a blistering response.
“Blaming President Trump for this tragedy is a depraved lie,” Leavitt said. “This is not the time to politicize a natural disaster when so many families are grieving.”
Leavitt insisted the National Weather Service provided “timely and accurate forecasts” and emphasized that the severity and speed of the flooding made it nearly impossible to prevent loss of life.
“This was an act of God,” she said. “No administration can stop a flash flood of this magnitude. The NWS did its job under extremely difficult conditions.”
Presidential Response and Federal Aid
President Trump signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County on Sunday afternoon, authorizing federal funds for recovery and rebuilding.
“I would’ve gone there today, but we’d just be in the way,” Trump told reporters. “It’s a terrible tragedy. We’re sending help — fast and strong.”
Meanwhile, Erica Grow Cei, spokesperson for the National Weather Service, extended condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting the public.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of life in Texas,” she said. “Our forecasters worked around the clock to provide decision support services throughout the storm.”
A Grieving State Searches for Answers
Of the 108 confirmed deaths, 84 occurred in Kerr County alone. Authorities say 22 adults and 10 children remain unidentified. Search-and-rescue teams are still combing through debris, while families hold onto hope for missing loved ones.
As Texas grapples with the scale of destruction, a fierce debate continues over preparedness, blame, and whether this tragedy could have been mitigated.
For now, amid wreckage and heartbreak, communities are left clinging to each other — and to the difficult work of recovery ahead.