Image Credit: X account @WhiteHouse
Trump Visits Flood-Hit Texas, Calls Disaster ‘Unprecedented’
US President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump visited central Texas on July 11 to assess the widespread destruction caused by severe flash floods in the Hill Country region. The natural disaster, which struck over the July 4 weekend, has so far claimed at least 129 lives and left over 170 people missing, including many children from a summer camp near the Guadalupe River.
Trump Surveys Damage, Meets Victims
Trump conducted an aerial survey of the worst-hit areas before joining a roundtable discussion in Kerrville with local officials, rescue workers, and affected families. Calling the devastation “unlike anything I’ve seen,” Trump compared the scenes to other major disasters faced during his presidency. He lauded first responders and emphasized the importance of the federal disaster declaration signed on July 6, which enabled rapid deployment of aid to Kerr County and surrounding areas.
Rising Questions Over Alert Systems
While Trump praised federal agencies, including FEMA, he became defensive when asked about possible failures in early warning systems. Responding sharply to a journalist’s question, he called the inquiry “evil.” Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott has convened a legislative session to investigate why alert messages failed to reach residents before the floods hit. Communication breakdowns are believed to have contributed to the high casualty count.
Camp Mystic Tragedy
Among the most heart-wrenching incidents was the sudden flooding of Camp Mystic, a girls’ Christian summer camp. At least 27 children are confirmed dead, with several others still missing. Trump and Melania met with grieving families in private. Survivors later gifted Melania a handmade charm bracelet as a sign of resilience and remembrance.
Relief Efforts and Volunteer Mobilization
Over 2,000 volunteers, including rescue teams from outside the US, have joined ongoing recovery efforts. Emergency shelters remain active, with more than 850 people rescued so far. Coordination between state and federal agencies continues to provide medical support, food supplies, and temporary housing to the affected families. Financial aid schemes are also being mobilized for long-term rehabilitation.
