Texas Flood D**th Toll Climbs to 80 Amid Controversy Over Weather Service Cuts

The d**th toll from the devastating Texas floods has reached 80. As grief deepens, blame is already being cast. Some point to President Donald Trump’s earlier cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) as a factor. However, Trump disputes this claim.

Trump Blames “Biden Setup” for Tragedy

Speaking at New Jersey Airport, Trump suggested the disaster resulted from a “Biden setup,” not his administration’s actions. He said, “That was really the Biden setup, that was not our setup. But I wouldn’t blame Biden for it either. This is a 100-year catastrophe.” Trump also expressed doubt about whether the NWS needs more meteorologists, stating, “Very talented people are there, and they didn’t see it.”

D**dly Floods in Guadalupe River

The Guadalupe River surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes, according to state officials. The rapid rise caused catastrophic flooding over the Fourth of July weekend. Among the hardest hit was Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp, where at least 27 campers and counselors lost their lives.

The camp issued a heartfelt statement:
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly. We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each affected family. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”

Local authorities continue searching for missing girls.

Four Months of Rain Fell in Hours

The storm dropped four months’ worth of rain in just hours, creating a worst-case scenario. While many remain missing, questions arise about the warnings given beforehand. Some Texas officials criticize the National Weather Service for underestimating rainfall and failing to adequately communicate the storm’s threat.

Was Weather Forecasting Accurate?

Texas Emergency Management Chief W. Nim Kidd said, “The forecast predicted 3 to 6 inches of rain in the Concho Valley and 4 to 8 inches in the Hill Country. The actual rainfall exceeded those estimates.”

However, meteorologists argue the forecasts were as accurate as possible given the real-time data. Wisconsin-based meteorologist Chris Vagasky told CNN, “The forecasting was good. The warnings were good. The challenge lies in getting the message to the people at risk.”

Staffing Gaps at Weather Forecasting Offices

Tom Fahy, legislative director for the National Weather Service Employees Organization, noted that two critical positions at the San Antonio forecasting office remained unfilled: a permanent science officer and a warning coordination meteorologist.

Still, Fahy insisted that staffing was sufficient to respond quickly. “Weather offices had adequate resources and issued timely forecasts and warnings,” he said, but expressed concern over the vacant roles.

National Weather Service Cuts Under Trump

Earlier this year, nearly 600 National Weather Service employees were laid off or retired under Trump’s administration, overseen by Elon Musk’s team at DOGE. Whether this contributed to the tragedy remains under investigation.

Trump claimed the cuts were unrelated and highlighted ongoing cooperation with Texas officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem continues work in Texas, but Trump has not confirmed plans to visit the flood zone.