Texas Floods Kill 59, Ignite Fury Over Trump’s NWS Cuts and Climate Stance

The devastating flash floods along Texas's Guadalupe River, triggered by the remnants of Tropical Storm Barry, have claimed at least 59 lives, including 21 children, with 11 children and one counselor still missing from a girls' summer camp. Critics have swiftly pointed fingers at President Donald Trump’s staffing cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS), claiming they crippled storm predictions. “Nine days. That’s how long it took for Trump’s NOAA cuts to turn a storm into a tragedy,” one activist posted on X, igniting a firestorm of blame.

Yet, meteorologists push back. “The NWS issued a flood watch 12 hours before the catastrophe,” said Texas-based expert Avery Tomasco, emphasizing timely warnings despite unfilled leadership roles at the agency. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem admitted the nation’s flood notification systems are outdated but noted the Trump administration is working to modernize them. “This storm stalled, dumping unprecedented rain,” Noem said, comparing it to Hurricane Harvey’s unpredictability.

Political voices, from Democratic congressional candidates to California lawmakers, have tied the tragedy to Trump’s broader policies, including cuts to green energy funding. “These floods are worsened by a climate crisis Trump ignores,” one governor suggested, while others demand investigations into NOAA’s slashed budgets. The White House, however, calls these accusations “shameful lies,” insisting the NWS performed admirably and that first responders saved countless lives.

Beneath the political noise, the human toll remains stark. Families await news of their loved ones, and Texas faces a long recovery. The debate over preparedness will rage on, but for now, the focus is on rescue and rebuilding.