But Noem had severely botched FEMA’s Texas response by failing to renew contracts with companies staffing FEMA call centers, resulting in a majority of calls going unanswered for days as the flood waters raged. The secretary dismissed the reporting as “fake news.”

The agenda includes 18 legislative priorities determined by Gov. Greg Abbott, including addressing the Central Texas floods, regulating THC and redistricting.

Governor Abbott of Texas seeks additional federal aid following floods, aiming to include Hamilton and Travis counties in the Major Disaster Declaration for recovery support.

The devastation from the catastrophic July 4 weekend flooding in Kerr County, Texas, has killed at least 132 people and left more than 170 missing.

Even before dozens died in flood waters on July 4, Texas ranked first in the U.S. in number of deaths due to natural disasters.

Some governors and mayors are concerned over how current or potential cuts to agencies will impact how the government can respond in the future to major weather events.

Forecasters warn that slow-moving storms could bring heavy downpours to already saturated areas, increasing the risk of flash flooding.

At least 135 people, including 37 children, died in the torrential downpour over the July 4 holiday weekend. The number of missing people dropped sharply on Saturday.

Kristi Noem detailed how the federal government deployed resources and funds to Texas flood victims, signaling fundamental changes to FEMA under the Trump administration.

The Arkansas Department of Emergency Management is deploying a team to Texas in response to the deadly flooding.

Texas lawmakers failed to pass a bill in the regular legislative session that would have improved local governments’ emergency communications infrastructure.