Texas Flood Tragedy Claims Over 80 Lives — Trump Faces Scrutiny Over Weather Service Cuts

The devastating Texas Hill Country floods have claimed over 80 lives, with many still missing. Water from the Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, overwhelming entire communities.

At Camp Mystic in Hunt, Texas, at least 27 young girls and staff died during the July 4 weekend floods. “Our hearts are broken,” the camp stated, asking for prayers and privacy as searches continue for the missing.

Emergency officials described the rainfall as a “worst-case scenario,” with four months’ worth of rain falling in hours. Critics quickly blamed the National Weather Service (NWS) for failing to issue stronger warnings. But officials pushed back, saying forecasts predicted 3 to 8 inches—far below what actually fell.

“The forecasting was good. The warnings were good. The issue was getting people to receive them,” said meteorologist Chris Vagasky.

However, vacant NWS positions in San Antonio—including its science officer and warning coordination meteorologist—have raised concerns. Staffing cuts tied to Trump’s 2025 budget slashed nearly 600 NWS roles nationwide.

During a press conference, President Trump denied responsibility, calling it a “Biden setup.” Yet he also acknowledged the storm was “a 100-year catastrophe,” saying, “Very talented people are there, and they didn’t see it.”

With Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on site, federal support is underway. Whether Trump will visit remains unclear.

As Texas mourns, the debate over forecasting failures and political accountability deepens—while families continue praying for answers amid unimaginable loss.