FEMA needs 'improvements' on flood warnings: Texas Governor Abbott

Yahoo

12 hours ago

STORY: :: Texas Governor Abbott says FEMA needs 'improvements' following criticism of flood warnings
:: July 14, 2025
:: Leander, Texas
:: Rep. Greg Abbott, (R) Texas
"So, one thing I think most state governors, most state officials, as well as the federal government, could agree upon, and that is, we needed improvements in FEMA. And it needed to be what I call right-sized so that it would be more nimble, quicker in the response. But also, understanding that it's the locals who know what is best in responding to a disaster."
"But by working on the reforms that we will work with FEMA and with the presidential team on, we're going to work to find ways to streamline the process, cut through all the red tape, to ensure that even when we do that, the monetary resources that we are receiving now, they're much needed for things like having the emergency first responders or debris removal or search and rescue operations. Those will still be funded, but we will have the ability to do it a whole lot faster, a whole a lot quicker without waiting around for the federal government."
Abbott's comments came after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday (July 13) defended FEMA's response to deadly floods in Texas last week, saying her agency acted swiftly and that Texas officials had praised the administration's actions.
During an interview on NBC News' "Meet the Press," Noem denied that a memo she issued in June requiring her to approve FEMA expenditures over $100,000 had caused the agency to move more slowly.
President Donald Trump suggested after taking office in January that his administration would abolish FEMA, formally called the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The Republican president said the agency had bungled past disasters and that federal aid could go directly to states.
But in the midst of U.S. hurricane season and the aftermath of the Texas floods, Trump and his top officials have taken a softer tone, indicating the agency could be rebranded.
Flash floods swept through parts of Texas Hill Country on July 4, killing at least 120 people and leaving another 160 still missing. The disaster put a renewed focus on Trump administration moves to deemphasize FEMA.