Some authorities are raising concerns that federal budget cuts approved under the Trump administration may have hindered communication among emergency services ahead of the catastrophic flooding in Texas.
The devastating flash floods that began on July 4 have now claimed at least 82 lives, with 41 more people still missing across the state, according to recent reports.
The majority of the fatalities—68 people—were reported in Kerr County, part of the Edwards Plateau region. Sheriff Larry Leitha confirmed that 28 of those victims were children.
Among the missing are 10 girls and a camp counselor from Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County.
Camp Mystic released a statement expressing deep sorrow: “This tragedy has devastated us and our entire community. Our hearts are broken alongside the families experiencing this pain, and we continue to hope and pray with them.”
Questions have been raised as to why no evacuation orders were issued for summer camps like Camp Mystic ahead of the extreme weather.
Rob Kelly, Kerr County’s chief elected official, responded bluntly: “I can’t answer that. I don’t know.”
According to a report by the New York Times, several Texas officials believe that the National Weather Service’s (NWS) inability to deliver timely warnings may have been tied to staffing shortages caused by federal spending reductions.
These cuts were part of a cost-reduction strategy implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which left key positions vacant at both local NWS offices and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The staffing gaps reportedly made it difficult to coordinate emergency alerts between weather agencies and local responders in Texas.
Tom Fahy, legislative director of the National Weather Service Employees Organization, revealed that the San Angelo NWS office lacked three vital employees: a senior hydrologist, a staff forecaster, and a meteorologist in charge. The nearby San Antonio office was also understaffed, missing a warning coordination meteorologist and a science officer.
Fahy added that the warning coordinator in San Antonio had retired on April 30 after accepting an early retirement offer tied to Trump-era policies.
However, he also acknowledged that some of the staffing gaps existed before Trump’s return to office in January 2025.
Despite criticism, some former Weather Service personnel defended the forecasts, saying they were as accurate as possible, especially considering the intensity and rapid onset of the storm.
On July 9, President Donald Trump, now in his second term at age 78, signed a major disaster declaration for Kerr County and authorized federal emergency assistance. He announced plans to visit the area on July 11, stating: “I would have gone sooner, but we didn’t want to get in the way. What happened here is absolutely horrible.”
Erica Grow Cei, speaking for the NWS, expressed sorrow over the loss of life, affirming the agency’s ongoing dedication to public service through accurate forecasting and support.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has promised that rescue efforts will continue, with new areas being searched as the waters begin to recede.
