The death toll from the devastating Texas flooding has risen to 80, and as families continue to mourn, questions of accountability have intensified. Among the hardest-hit areas was Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ summer camp near the Guadalupe River, which confirmed at least 27 attendees and counselors lost their lives after the river surged 26 feet in just 45 minutes during Fourth of July weekend.
The camp released a statement expressing heartbreak, ongoing prayers, and cooperation with local authorities as the search for missing girls continues.
The flood was triggered by a rare weather event that dropped four months’ worth of rain in only a few hours, catching many off guard. While some Texas officials have blamed the National Weather Service (NWS) for underestimating the rainfall and not issuing stronger warnings, others defended the agency.
Meteorologists said the forecasts were accurate based on available data, but getting warnings to the public in time remains a major challenge. Wisconsin meteorologist Chris Vagasky emphasized that the forecast and alerts were solid, but “the last mile” — ensuring people receive and act on warnings — failed. Meanwhile, Tom Fahy of the NWS Employees Organization pointed out that San Antonio’s forecasting office lacked two key leadership roles: a science officer and a warning coordination meteorologist. However, he maintained that the forecasting offices still had enough qualified staff to respond.
Earlier this year, the Trump administration — under a federal efficiency initiative known as DOGE, involving Elon Musk — approved early retirements and layoffs that reduced NWS staffing by around 600. Some argue these cuts may have contributed to the disaster, but Trump denies responsibility. Speaking at a New Jersey airport, he claimed the crisis stemmed from a “Biden setup,” though he added he doesn’t blame Biden either, calling the flood a “100-year catastrophe.” Trump noted that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem remains in Texas and said federal officials are closely coordinating with local authorities. Asked whether the NWS needs more staffing, Trump responded that the storm was too sudden for anyone to predict and praised those who tried to warn the public. As Texas recovers, many are calling for prayers, accountability, and better systems to prevent similar tragedies in the future.