On Friday, President Donald Trump traveled to Texas, where recent floods in Kerr County and neighboring regions have resulted in at least 120 deaths and left 173 people unaccounted for.
During his visit, Trump was set to meet with first responders and families who have been affected by the tragedy, according to White House officials. He is scheduled to receive briefings from local leaders and participate in a roundtable discussion. Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to join him.
Trump announced his plans to visit the state earlier in the week.
“We wanted to leave a little time. We’d done it today, but we’ll just get in their way,” he remarked to reporters.
He also described the floods along the Guadalupe River during early July as a “100-year catastrophe” that was “very scary to see.”
According to NBC News, 96 fatalities have been confirmed, including the tragic loss of 36 children, with Kerr County being particularly hard-hit. Additionally, 161 individuals remain unaccounted for in the county. The overall death toll across the state has now reached 120.
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Christy Noem, visited the affected areas on Saturday. On Sunday, Trump announced he had signed a significant disaster declaration for Kerr County to secure necessary resources for first responders.
Abbott commended Trump’s administration for its swift response, stating during a helicopter ride that he had never witnessed such a prompt and effective reaction to a disaster. Trump quickly accommodated their request for assistance and sent Noem onto the scene.
Abbott also lauded first responders for executing 850 rescues in just over 36 hours, highlighting their remarkable skill and dedication. He emphasized the crucial training they underwent to manage the situation effectively.
In a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Noem noted the strong collaboration among first responders in Texas, suggesting that the major disaster declarations could help provide additional resources and aid for recovery efforts. She assured that support for continued search and recovery operations would come from the federal government.
