White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended federal agencies’ response to deadly Texas flash floods during Monday’s press briefing, addressing pointed questions about emergency alert timing from reporters.
The devastating floods struck six Texas counties beginning Friday morning, resulting in over 100 confirmed deaths across the affected region.
The tragedy included multiple fatalities at a Christian girls’ camp, where young children became victims of the rapidly rising waters.
Hearst Television White House correspondent Kalyn Norwood questioned why flood alerts were distributed during overnight hours when residents were likely asleep.
The reporter sought detailed clarification on the administration’s emergency notification procedures and timing protocols.
Leavitt explained that federal agencies issued warnings in a timely manner before the flooding occurred.
She emphasized that natural disasters operate on their own timeline, not government schedules, making precise timing predictions nearly impossible.
“The alerts were imminently sent out before the flood when people were sleeping because the flood hit in the very early hours of the morning,” Leavitt stated during the press conference.
“So, people were sleeping in the middle of the night when this flood came.”
The press secretary characterized the timing as beyond administrative control, rejecting any suggestion of government responsibility for the disaster’s timing.
“That was an act of God, that was not the administration’s fault that the flood hit when it did,” she declared emphatically.
Leavitt provided a detailed timeline of warnings issued by the National Weather Service, demonstrating the agency’s proactive approach to the developing situation.
Initial weather and flooding risk notices went out on July 2, establishing early awareness of potential dangers across the region.
Escalated notices followed throughout July 3, with meteorologists closely monitoring changing conditions.
A flood watch was issued at 1:18 p.m. that day, alerting residents to prepare for possible flooding.
The Weather Prediction Center issued warnings about excessive rainfall and high flash flooding likelihood at 6:10 p.m. that same day.
Additional flooding risk alerts came at 6:22 p.m. on July 3, as weather conditions continued to deteriorate.
Multiple flash flood warnings continued throughout the afternoon and into early morning hours preceding the disaster, providing residents with ongoing updates about the developing threat.
The catastrophic flooding began around 4 a.m. Friday morning, catching many residents during their deepest sleep hours.
The Guadalupe River rose 26 feet within 45 minutes, creating unprecedented dangerous conditions that overwhelmed local infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
Camp Mystic in Kerrville, Texas suffered devastating losses when flood waters wiped away cabins housing young campers.
Twenty-seven campers died in the incident, with eleven others reported missing as search and rescue operations continue.
The youngest campers slept approximately 225 feet from the river when waters rapidly rose beyond all historical precedent, according to New York Post reporting.
Their proximity to the waterway proved fatal when the Guadalupe River surged beyond normal levels, transforming from a peaceful stream into a deadly torrent within minutes.
A camp counselor described the horrific scene during a Fox News “America’s Newsroom” appearance, providing firsthand testimony of the tragedy.
The Daily Caller highlighted that she recounted learning that two cabins housing 7-year-old girls had been completely swept away by rushing waters, leaving no trace of the structures.
The counselor witnessed parents receiving devastating news about their missing daughters at the camp’s emergency coordination center.
She described the heartbreaking moments when families learned their children were unaccounted for following the flood, creating scenes of unimaginable grief and desperation.
Camp officials released a statement acknowledging the tragic losses and expressing solidarity with grieving families.
“Camp Mystic is grieving the loss of 27 campers and counselors following the catastrophic flooding on the Guadalupe River,” the statement read.
The camp expressed solidarity with affected families during this difficult time, emphasizing their commitment to supporting grieving parents.
“Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly,” camp representatives stated.
Local and state authorities deployed extensive search and rescue resources, including helicopter units and swift water rescue teams.
The camp confirmed ongoing coordination with emergency responders to locate missing individuals, with operations continuing around the clock despite challenging conditions.
President Donald Trump signed a federal disaster declaration Sunday, authorizing relief and recovery assistance for affected areas throughout the region.
Trump announced plans to visit the flood-damaged regions Friday to personally assess the destruction and meet with local officials.
The presidential visit will allow direct evaluation of federal response needs and demonstrate administration support for affected communities.
The Texas flooding represents one of the most significant natural disasters in recent state history, with damage estimates reaching hundreds of millions of dollars.
Recovery efforts continue as communities work to rebuild and heal from the unprecedented tragedy that has left entire neighborhoods uninhabitable.
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