Texas floods live updates: Trump surveys damage from disaster that killed 121, including Camp Mystic kids and staff

The White House shared photos of President Donald Trump’s visit to Central Texas on Friday, a week after flash floods devastated communities along the Guadalupe River.

President Donald Trump has seemingly softened his stance on phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency completely, with the administration now planning on using it to highlight local and state leaders’ roles in disaster response – as they’ve done in Texas.

Despite the president’s previous statements, no official action has been taken to phase out FEMA, a White House official told The Independent.

However, small steps have been taken to change the way states and FEMA operate, as seen in the government’s efforts in responding to the devastating Texas floods, which have left more than 120 people dead.

Trump has left most of the response decision-making up to Texas Governor Greg Abbott while providing federal funding to fit the state’s needs.

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First lady Melania Trump shared her sympathies with the parents of children who lost their lives in horrific flash floods on July 4.

“My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful, young souls. Deepest sympathy from all of us to the community—to everyone who lost a loved one—we are grieving with you. Our Nation is grieving with you,” she said on a visit to Central Texas with President Donald Trump Friday.

First lady Melania Trump, known for her fashion sense, decided to wear a simple black baseball cap while visiting Central Texas with President Donald Trump on Friday.

The two were there to speak with state and local officials and see the destruction for themselves after flash floods on July 4 devastated communities along the Guadalupe River.

Melania also wore a black baseball cap during a visit with her husband to California in January after wildfires destroyed communities in Los Angeles County.

It’s unclear if this is just a coincidence or if the black baseball cap has some sort of significance.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment.

House Democrats addressed a letter to President Donald Trump and weather infrastructure officials on Friday, expressing “deep concern” about the flooding in Kerr County, Texas, and the “structural shortcomings at the federal, state, and local levels that contributed to the tragic loss of life.”

It comes as Trump toured disaster areas alongside local officials on Friday.

Democratic Reps. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio, Lloyd Doggett of Texas, and Eric Sorenson of Illinois wrote to the president and Laura Grimm, who is performing the duties of the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, as well as Lt. Gen. William Graham Jr., the Chief of Engineers.

“This tragedy echoes a troubling national pattern of accelerating flash flood disasters that have claimed lives,” the members of Congress wrote, noting the 46 killed in New York in September 2021, the 45 who died in July 2022, the 20 killed in Tennessee in August 2021, and the 250 who died across the Southeast in September of last year.

“These events are not anomalies—they are harbingers of a climate-disrupted future,” they stated.

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George Strait, a country singer from Texas, announced his plans to host a fundraising event in the wake of the deadly flash floods that hit Central Texas on July 4.

“The destruction and loss in our community from the recent floods is hard to wrap your head around. Our hearts and prayers are with you all,” Strait wrote on Instagram Friday.

He continued: “The goal with this event is to raise meaningful, immediate support that can be put directly into the hands of flood victims without delay, while also honoring the first responders that work tirelessly to save lives.”

Level seats at $1,000 a pop have already sold out.

The benefit will be held on Sunday, July 27, and include artists such as William Beckmann, Ray Benson and Wade Bowen.

Governor Greg Abbott shared photos from his visit with President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to hard-hit Kerrville on Friday, a week after flash floods devastated the community.

“Together, we are Texas Tough,” Abbott wrote on X.

A Texas man has been charged after authorities claim he threatened President Donald Trump ahead of his arrival in the state, touring the flood-ravaged area, where more than a hundred people were killed.

Robert Herrera, 52, is accused of posting a comment to Facebook, in response to a news story post regarding the president’s upcoming visit, saying, “I won’t miss,” with a photo of Trump surrounded by agents after his assassination attempt last year in Pennsylvania.

Prosecutors said a separate Facebook user replied to Herrera’s handle, “Robert Herrer,” writing, “you won’t get the chance, I promise,” to which “Robert Herrer” responded, “I’ll just come for you.”

“Robert Herrer” then included a photo of an assault rifle and loaded magazines in that response, authorities claim.

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott wrote on X Friday night: “I activated state emergency response resources ahead of flash flooding threats across the state starting tonight through the weekend.

“Texas should remain weather aware to ensure the safety of themselves and their loved ones.”

The threat of flash flooding looms over Texas as communities remain devastated following a flash flooding event on July 4 along the Guadalupe River.

In the wake of that disaster, questions have been raised about whether enough was done to to prepare and warn residents about the flash flooding.

The National Weather Service’s Austin/San Antonio office said of this weekend’s forecast: “Scattered showers are forecast to develop Saturday afternoon onwards, including Saturday night and Sunday. Locally heavy rain is possible.”