By — Associated Press Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/white-house-blasts-idea-that-trumps-cuts-contributed-to-texas-flooding-death-toll Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter White House blasts idea that Trump’s cuts contributed to Texas flooding death toll Politics Jul 7, 2025 4:35 PM EDT White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the local and federal weather services provided sufficient warnings to the Kerr County community before the floods. READ MORE: What to know about the deadly flash floods in Texas “That was an act of God. It’s not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did, but there were early and consistent warnings and, again, the National Weather Service did its job,” Leavitt said. She outlined that on July 3, the NWS office in Austin-San Antonio conducted briefings for local officials and issued a flood watch in the early afternoon. READ MORE: Debate erupts over weather forecasts for deadly Texas floods and adequate staffing That was followed by numerous flood warnings on the night of July 3 and in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, giving a lead time of three hours before the flash flood. In response to a subsequent question about the warnings and why they were issued when people were likely asleep, Leavitt repeated that the offices were fully staffed. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Associated Press Associated Press
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the local and federal weather services provided sufficient warnings to the Kerr County community before the floods. READ MORE: What to know about the deadly flash floods in Texas “That was an act of God. It’s not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did, but there were early and consistent warnings and, again, the National Weather Service did its job,” Leavitt said. She outlined that on July 3, the NWS office in Austin-San Antonio conducted briefings for local officials and issued a flood watch in the early afternoon. READ MORE: Debate erupts over weather forecasts for deadly Texas floods and adequate staffing That was followed by numerous flood warnings on the night of July 3 and in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, giving a lead time of three hours before the flash flood. In response to a subsequent question about the warnings and why they were issued when people were likely asleep, Leavitt repeated that the offices were fully staffed. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now