By Brendan Scanland
WASHINGTON, D.C. — What’s being called a “once-in-a-lifetime flooding event” devastated several counties across Texas this weekend.
Thoughts, prayers and relief are pouring into the Lone Star State today from across the country as search and rescue efforts continue.
Heartbreaking stories of friends and families gathering to celebrate our nation’s birthday that ended in tragedy are being shared, as are dozens of heroic stories that prove Mother Nature, at her worst, often brings out the best of humanity.
Devastating weekend flash flooding in what’s known as the Hill Country has claimed at least 90 lives across six counties, including 27 campers and counselors from Camp Mystic — a summer camp now at the center of heartbreak.
It all began with a line of storms late July 3, dumping up to 18 inches of rain in some parts of Kerr County. Rivers rose fast, leaving families, friends and campers little to no time to react.
“This was a thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it. Very talented people are there and they didn’t see it. I guess they said once in 100 years — they’ve never seen anything like that,” said President Trump on Sunday. “And it’s a horrible thing that took place. Absolutely horrible.”
President Trump signed a major disaster declaration Sunday, activating FEMA to assist in recovery — despite saying in June he plans to phase out the agency after this year’s hurricane season and shift response and recovery efforts to the states.
“FEMA is something we can talk about later. But right now they’re busy working, so we’ll leave it at that,” said Trump when asked about the FEMA phase out.
Still, FEMA’s potential phase-out and recent cuts at the National Weather Service have sparked criticism in the wake of the flooding. The White House said Monday that any blame toward the administration is a “depraved lie.”
“And it serves no purpose during this time of national mourning,” said White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Monday.
More than 400 first responders from 20 agencies are working around the clock. The U.S. Coast Guard deployed thermal imaging to help locate survivors. Over 850 people have been rescued so far.
With slow-moving and scattered thunderstorms, flood watches remain in effect today across Central Texas until this evening — including over the saturated Hill Country region that experienced the worst of the weekend flooding.
President Trump is expected to travel to the impacted areas later this week.
