Continuous updates; facts and sources are still being cross-checked.

Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.

President Donald Trump arrived in San Antonio on Friday to begin a high-profile visit to flood-ravaged Central Texas, where more than 120 people have died and hundreds remain missing. Joined by First Lady Melania Trump and top officials, Trump will survey the devastation in Kerrville and meet with victims’ families and emergency responders. The trip marks a pivotal moment in the administration’s disaster response and comes amid growing scrutiny over federal preparedness and aid distribution. What to Know: Trump landed in San Antonio and will fly over Kerrville, the worst-hit area, before meeting with families and responders

Melania Trump, Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, and Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins are traveling with him

Gov. Greg Abbott announced expanded FEMA aid for 11 counties, including Kerr, Travis, and San Saba

Residents in affected areas can now apply for federal grants to assist with repairs and recovery

Trump called the flooding “a once-in-every-200-year deal” and “a terrible thing”

He avoided commenting on his past pledge to eliminate FEMA

The president also weighed in on Brazil tariffs and the treatment of former President Jair Bolsonaro Stay with Newsweek for the latest.

02:21 PM EDT Buffalo journalism event postponed after threats over Texas flood cartoon A museum event in Buffalo supporting local journalism was postponed Thursday after death threats were made against Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist Adam Zyglis. The backlash followed Zyglis’ editorial cartoon in The Buffalo News, which depicted a man in a MAGA hat being swept away by Texas floodwaters, holding a “Help” sign while a speech bubble reads, “Gov’t is the problem not the solution.” The Buffalo Newspaper Guild said the threats targeted Zyglis and his family, prompting serious safety concerns. The event, originally planned to highlight the importance of local reporting, will be rescheduled.

02:00 PM EDT More Texas counties added to federal disaster declaration after deadly floods Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced Friday that several additional counties are now eligible for federal disaster aid following catastrophic flooding across Central Texas. Burnet, Kerr, San Saba, Tom Green, Travis, and Williamson counties have been approved for FEMA’s Individual Assistance program. In contrast, Kendall, Kimble, Menard, and San Saba counties qualify for Public Assistance grants. The expanded declaration, signed by President Donald Trump, enables residents to apply for federal funding to cover housing, repairs, and recovery costs. Abbott praised the swift coordination between state and federal agencies to support impacted communities.

01:02 PM EDT Trump visits Kerrville as search continues for flood victims As President Donald Trump tours Kerrville to survey flood damage, search and rescue teams remain on the ground, combing through debris in Central Texas. More than 100 people are still missing following the catastrophic July 4 floods, which have already claimed at least 120 lives. Among the responders are Nevada Task Force One and Orange County Task Force One, working alongside local crews to locate victims in the hardest-hit areas. Officials warn the death toll is likely to rise as recovery efforts continue amid challenging conditions and renewed rain threats.

12:46 PM EDT Mercy Chefs founder brings comfort food to Texas flood zone Within 36 hours of the deadly floods in Central Texas, Mercy Chefs founder Gary LeBlanc arrived on the ground to do what he’s known for—serve hot, high-quality meals to those in crisis. Disheartened by the food typically offered during disasters, LeBlanc launched the faith-based nonprofit after Hurricane Katrina with a simple mission: “just go feed people.” In Kerr County, his team began by feeding search and rescue crews who hadn’t had a hot meal in days. LeBlanc told CNN the devastation was among the worst he’s seen in nearly two decades of relief work, and vowed to stay as long as needed.

12:33 PM EDT House Democrats demand answers on federal response to Texas flooding Democrats on the House Oversight Committee are pressing for documents and communications related to the federal response to the deadly Texas floods, citing concerns about preparedness and agency leadership. Led by Rep. Robert Garcia of California and Texas Reps. Greg Casar and Jasmine Crockett, the inquiry targets FEMA and NOAA, questioning whether recent policy shifts under DHS Secretary Kristi Noem hindered emergency efforts. Lawmakers also flagged failures in early warning systems and requested records from the Commerce Department’s inspector general to assess potential breakdowns in public alerts.

12:18 PM EDT Texas legislature forms joint committees to investigate deadly flooding Texas lawmakers have created two joint committees to address the catastrophic July 4 flooding during the upcoming special legislative session. Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced the Disaster Preparedness and Flooding committees will hold their first hearing on July 23 in Austin, followed by a second session in Kerrville to hear directly from affected residents. The panels will examine flood warning systems, emergency communications, and disaster relief funding. Gov. Greg Abbott’s 30-day special session begins July 21 and includes a broad agenda, with flood recovery taking top priority.

12:04 PM EDT Kerr County flood relief fund tops $30 million, first grants announced The Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country has raised over $30 million for flood recovery efforts in Kerr County, Texas, following the devastating July 4 storms. At a press conference Friday, the foundation announced it will begin distributing $5 million in emergency grants to local nonprofits, businesses, and crisis response teams actively serving affected communities. Major donors include H-E-B, James Avery Artisan Jewelry, and other prominent Texas-based companies. Foundation CEO Austin Dickson called the response “extraordinary,” emphasizing that the funding marks only the beginning of a long-term recovery plan.

11:50 AM EDT Salvation Army urges cash donations as Texas floods overwhelm relief centers The Salvation Army is urging financial donations as the most effective way to support flood relief efforts in Central Texas, where devastating July 4 floods have overwhelmed communities like Kerrville, San Angelo, and Ingram. With local warehouses at capacity, officials are asking the public to pause in-kind donations. The Kerrville Corps is serving as the Volunteer Reception Center, coordinating intake and support services alongside the Texas Department of Emergency Management. Disaster response experts are available for interviews to share updates and highlight the organization’s focus on emotional and spiritual care for survivors and first responders. As of today, the Salvation Army is serving at multiple locations and have provided, a spokesperson shared with Newsweek: 5,934 meals

27,691 snacks

33,972 drinks

998 cleanup kits

1,438 comfort/hygiene kids

1,229 clothing items

943 cases of water

1,086 emotional & spiritual care contacts

11:35 AM EDT Sessions joins Trump in Texas as flood response faces scrutiny U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, will accompany President Donald Trump on Friday as he surveys flood damage in central Texas, where more than 120 people have died and over 170 remain missing. The visit comes amid growing questions about the speed and coordination of local and federal disaster response efforts. Sessions defended the administration’s actions, telling CNN that Trump “is here for the right reasons” and praised Gov. Greg Abbott’s swift coordination with federal agencies, including helicopter support. Trump and first lady Melania are expected to meet with first responders, receive briefings from local officials, and speak with families affected by the disaster. The White House says the trip is structured to avoid disrupting ongoing rescue and recovery operations.

11:19 AM EDT Texas launches emotional support line for flood survivors Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference on July 08, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Gov. Greg Abbott speaks at a news conference on July 08, 2025 in Hunt, Texas. Brandon Bell/Getty Images Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has announced the launch of the Texas Flooding Emotional Support Line, a free 24/7 crisis counseling service for residents impacted by the recent catastrophic floods. The initiative, led by the Texas Health and Human Services Commission, aims to provide emotional support and recovery guidance to survivors, families, and first responders. Abbott said the service would help Texans “heal and recover” from the disaster’s lasting emotional toll. Trained professionals are available around the clock at 833-812-2480, offering confidential support and assistance with disaster recovery options.

10:59 AM EDT Guadalupe River tragedy claims Camp Mystic director, exposes flood risks Dick Eastland, longtime director of Camp Mystic in central Texas, died while trying to rescue campers during catastrophic flooding along the Guadalupe River. The disaster claimed 27 lives at the camp and renewed scrutiny of flood preparedness in the region. Eastland had long warned of the river’s dangers and helped install a flood warning system after a deadly 1987 incident, but that system was shut down in 1999 due to reliability issues. Despite efforts to modernize flood alerts, proposals for sirens and updated gauges stalled amid budget constraints and limited state support, CNN reported. Camp Mystic’s most vulnerable cabins remained in high-risk flood zones, even as new structures were built in safer areas. Experts say the camp missed opportunities to relocate or repurpose older buildings flagged in federal flood maps. Eastland, remembered as a beloved figure and community leader, had returned to the local river authority board in 2022 and was helping develop a new flood monitoring dashboard. His death has prompted calls to refocus on long-delayed safety upgrades. Survivors and former campers praised his legacy, describing him as a hero whose final act was one of selfless courage.

Posted Friday, July 11, 2025 11:07 am

President Donald Trump will head to Texas for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding that has killed at least 120 people, which the administration has characterized as a once-in-a-lifetime event.

While the administration isn’t backing away from its pledges to shutter the Federal Emergency Management Agency and return disaster response to the states as part of Trump’s push to slash federal services, it has lessened its focus on the topic since the July 4 disaster, underscoring how tragedy can complicate political calculations.

The president is expected to do an aerial tour of some of the hard-hit areas, a relatively common practice that allows presidents to visit disaster sites and hopefully ease logistical burdens for authorities on the ground. The White House also says he’ll visit the state emergency operations center to meet with first responders and relatives of flood victims. Trump will also get a briefing from officials.

Here’s the latest:

Trump’s schedule, according to the White House

Trump and first lady Melania Trump are scheduled to visit parts of Texas devastated by flooding before retiring to the Trump Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey.

9:30 a.m. — Trump and the first lady will depart Washington for Kerrville, Texas

2:10 p.m. — Following their noon arrival, they will meet with first responders and local authorities

3:15 p.m. — The president and first lady will depart for Bedminster, New Jersey

Trump to host the Philippine president this month to discuss trade and security in Asia

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s will visit the United States from July 20 to 22 but Philippine officials were still finalizing details of his meeting with Trump with the U.S. State Department, the Philippine government said. The allies have boosted mutual defense engagements, including large-scale combat exercises in the Philippines, to strengthen deterrence against China’s increasingly aggressive actions in the region.

Among the proposed topics for discussion is strengthening “peace through deterrence,” Philippine Ambassador to Washington Jose Manuel Romualdez told The Associated Press by telephone.

That echoed Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ’s remarks about the U.S. military’s plan to ratchet up deterrence against China’s increasingly assertive actions in the disputed South China Sea by intensifying security engagements with the Philippines and allied nations in the region.

▶ Read more about the Philippine president’s planned visit

The State Department is firing more than 1,300 employees

The firings Friday are in line with a dramatic reorganization plan unveiled by the Trump administration earlier this year.

The department is sending layoff notices to 1,107 civil servants and 246 foreign service officers with domestic assignments in the United States, said a senior State Department official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss personnel matters ahead of individual notices being emailed to affected employees.

Foreign service officers affected will be placed immediately on administrative leave for 120 days, after which they’ll formally lose their jobs, according to an internal notice obtained by The Associated Press. For most affected civil servants, the separation period is 60 days, it said.

President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their Republican allies have lauded the move as overdue and necessary to make the department leaner and more efficient.

But the cuts have been roundly criticized by current and former diplomats who say they’ll weaken U.S. influence and its ability to counter existing and emerging threats abroad.

— Matthew Lee

US President Donald Trump speaks to the press before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, on July 11, 2025.

US President Donald Trump travels to Texas on Friday to visit areas ravaged by July 4’s flash flooding, which left at least 120 people dead and 170 still missing. As he prepares to tour the disaster zone, he has yet to address his earlier proposals to dismantle the Federal Emergency Management Agency responsible for coordinating disaster relief.

As President Donald Trump heads to Texas on Friday for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by catastrophic flooding, he has remained conspicuously quiet about his previous promises to do away with the federal agency in charge of disaster relief.

The Trump administration isn’t backing away from its pledges to shutter the Federal Emergency Management Agency and return disaster response to the states. But since the July 4 disaster, which has killed at least 120 people, the president and his top aides have focused on the once-in-a-lifetime nature of what occurred and the human tragedy involved rather than the government-slashing crusade that’s been popular with Trump’s core supporters.

“Nobody ever saw a thing like this coming,” Trump told NBC News on Thursday, adding, ”This is a once-in-every-200-year deal.” He’s also suggested he’d have been ready to visit Texas within hours but didn’t want to burden authorities still searching for the more than 170 people who are still missing.

ADVERTISEMENT

(FRANCE 24 with AP)

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:

More than 160 people still missing as death toll in Texas floods hits 119

Texas camp ‘grieving the loss’ of 27 children and counselors following catastrophic floods

✕ Close Related: Trump denies Weather Service staff cuts affected Texas flood warnings

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Donald Trump has arrived in Texas on a visit to Kerrville to survey the devastation left by flash floods that swept through the centre of the state, killing at least 121 people and leaving 170 missing one week on.

As Texas lawmakers face growing scrutiny over the state’s flood warning systems, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will meet with top state officials, emergency responders, and survivors before taking an aerial tour of the flood-ravaged Guadalupe River region.

Before boarding Marine One, the president said: “It’s a horrible thing, a horrible thing. Nobody can even believe it, such a thing that much water that fast, without a dam break … But we’re going to be there with some of the great families and others, the governor, everybody.”

Kerr County remains the center of the disaster after the Guadalupe River overflowed last Friday. Officials said Thursday that at least 96 people in the county have died, including 36 children. Many others are still missing in the area.

A New York Times report revealed that county officials were repeatedly denied funding for an emergency flood warning system, despite telling FEMA in October that deadly flooding was “likely” to occur within a year.

✕ Close Related: Trump denies Weather Service staff cuts affected Texas flood warnings

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

Donald Trump has arrived in Texas on a visit to Kerrville to survey the devastation left by flash floods that swept through the centre of the state, killing at least 121 people and leaving 170 missing one week on.

As Texas lawmakers face growing scrutiny over the state’s flood warning systems, President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will meet with top state officials, emergency responders, and survivors before taking an aerial tour of the flood-ravaged Guadalupe River region.

Before boarding Marine One, the president said: “It’s a horrible thing, a horrible thing. Nobody can even believe it, such a thing that much water that fast, without a dam break … But we’re going to be there with some of the great families and others, the governor, everybody.”

Kerr County remains the center of the disaster after the Guadalupe River overflowed last Friday. Officials said Thursday that at least 96 people in the county have died, including 36 children. Many others are still missing in the area.

A New York Times report revealed that county officials were repeatedly denied funding for an emergency flood warning system, despite telling FEMA in October that deadly flooding was “likely” to occur within a year.