Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem detailed the Trump administration’s approach to disaster response, highlighting the rapid federal assistance provided during the devastating floods in Texas Hill Country. The July floods claimed at least 119 lives, with over 150 people missing and 27 girls killed at Camp Mystic near the Guadalupe River. Noem described the response as indicative of President Trump’s vision for a reformed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), emphasizing the difference from the Biden administration’s approach.
Noem emphasized that the Trump administration’s strategy focused on immediate action, with federal agencies like the Coast Guard, helicopters, and swift water rescue teams deployed within hours of the crisis. She noted that pre-deployed funds were sent to Texas to allow local authorities to make swift decisions in the aftermath. This strategy was contrasted with past FEMA responses, such as the delayed aid during the 2023 Ohio train derailment and the Maui wildfires, which were criticized for their slow deployment.
Noem also raised concerns about the need for a comprehensive overhaul of Texas’s flood warning system, following calls from Governor Greg Abbott to improve the state’s early warning infrastructure. The administration’s commitment to restructuring FEMA is evident in Trump’s comments, including his plan to potentially rename the agency, aiming to create a more responsive and efficient organization. Noem’s comments underscore a broader push to shift disaster response to the state and local levels, with federal support arriving promptly to aid local efforts.
Despite these assertions, Noem dismissed reports of unanswered FEMA calls from Texas residents, vowing to remove any contracts that failed to address such issues. The Trump administration’s focus on redefining FEMA reflects a broader ideological shift in managing natural disasters, prioritizing rapid response and decentralized management over the previous bureaucratic framework.