Texas Flood Tragedy Claims Over 80 Lives—Trump Responds to Blame Over National Weather Service Cuts
The death toll from the catastrophic Texas Hill Country floods has now surpassed 80 lives, with many still missing and entire communities left in ruins. Among the hardest-hit areas was the Guadalupe River region, where water levels rose an astonishing 26 feet in just 45 minutes, catching many off guard and turning a summer celebration into a national tragedy.
Christian Girls’ Camp Confirms Loss of 27 Lives
One of the most heart-wrenching moments unfolded at Camp Mystic, a well-known Christian girls’ camp in Hunt, Texas. In a somber update, the camp confirmed that at least 27 campers and counselors died during the Fourth of July weekend flood.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,”
the camp said in an official statement, adding that they remain in close contact with local authorities still searching for the **missing girls**.
“We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
Record-Breaking Rainfall and Forecasting Controversy
According to state officials, four months’ worth of rain fell in just a matter of hours, leading to what emergency management experts now call a “worst-case scenario.”
As rescue and recovery efforts continue, questions are mounting over whether this tragedy could have been prevented. Some Texas officials have directed blame at the National Weather Service (NWS) for underestimating the rainfall and not effectively warning the public in time.
However, meteorologists and former NWS officials are pushing back on that claim. According to Texas Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd, the original forecast on Wednesday estimated 3 to 6 inches of rain in the Concho Valley and 4 to 8 inches in the Hill Country—far short of the catastrophic rainfall that occurred.
“The amount of rain that fell in this specific location was never in any of those forecasts,”
Kidd said during a news briefing.
Meteorologists Defend NWS Accuracy
Despite the criticism, many experts agree that the forecasts and warnings were as precise as they could be given the rapidly changing conditions. Chris Vagasky, a Wisconsin-based meteorologist, told CNN:
“The forecasting was good. The warnings were good. It’s always about getting people to receive the message. It appears that is one of the biggest contributors — that last mile.”
Complicating matters, the San Antonio NWS office reportedly had two top positions vacant: the science officer, who is responsible for training and implementing new forecasting tools, and the warning coordination meteorologist, who plays a crucial role in communicating urgent threats to the public and media.
Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, acknowledged the staffing issues but maintained that the forecasting teams did everything they could.
“The WFOs had adequate staffing and resources as they issued timely forecasts and warnings leading up to the storm,”
Fahy said.
Trump Responds: “It Was the Biden Setup”
The tragedy has also turned political, with critics pointing to President Donald Trump’s early 2025 budget cuts that reportedly slashed nearly 600 positions across the National Weather Service. However, Trump rejected that narrative during a press conference at a New Jersey airport.
“They didn’t. I’ll tell you, if you look at that, what a situation that all is – that was really the **Biden setup**, that was not our setup,”
Trump said. He added,
“But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it either. I would just say this is a 100-year catastrophe and it’s just so horrible to watch.”
When asked if the NWS needed more staff, the president was noncommittal:
“This was the thing that happened in seconds. Nobody expected it; nobody saw it. Very talented people are there, and they didn’t see it.”
Trump confirmed that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem remains on the ground in Texas, adding that federal agencies are “working very close” with local authorities. It remains unclear whether the president himself will visit the disaster site.
Join Us in Prayer
As families grieve the loss of loved ones and search teams continue looking for the missing, the state of Texas is left reeling from one of the most devastating flash floods in recent memory. While blame continues to be debated, the human cost remains the focus.
Let us keep the victims, their families, and rescue workers in our prayers during these harrowing days.
