President Trump Highlights 1,500 Texas Flood Rescues Amidst Ongoing Recovery Efforts

Kerr County, Texas – President Donald Trump visited Texas on July 11 and 12 to survey the devastation caused by catastrophic floods and affirm federal support for recovery efforts. During his visit, President Trump highlighted the extensive federal response, stating, "My Administration is doing everything in its power to help Texas... We’ve deployed over 400 first responders and assisted or enabled more than 1,500 rescues."

The federal efforts included significant deployments from agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Coast Guard, which provided numerous search and rescue crews. The President emphasized the speed of the federal response, noting that emergency funds were approved "within about two minutes" of the request.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott lauded the federal government's swift action, remarking, "This is the fastest that I’m aware of — of any Administration responding." Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick also conveyed the community's appreciation, stating that the presence of the President and First Lady "sends a message" and "gives them hope."

The floods, which struck around July 4th, tragically resulted in at least 121 confirmed deaths, with over 170 individuals still reported missing, according to CBS News. The Guadalupe River experienced a rapid and unprecedented rise, with some areas seeing water levels increase by 26 feet in under 45 minutes. First Lady Melania Trump expressed profound sympathy, particularly for the families who lost children, and acknowledged the heroic rescue of 169 children from Camp Mystic by the Coast Guard.

Discussions during the visit also touched upon future preparedness and the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). While President Trump defended the current response, he indicated that his administration is "taking historic action to ensure that such a nightmare never happens again." Texas officials, including Governor Abbott, are committed to exploring improved warning systems and long-term rebuilding strategies to enhance the state's resilience against future natural disasters.