Donald Trump visited Texas on Friday, July 11, 2025, to see the aftermath of a catastrophic flood that struck the central part of the state. The flood, which Trump described as a „century-old disaster”, has killed at least 120 people, including many children, and more than 160 people are still missing. The hardest-hit area is Kerr County, where around 95 bodies have been found, including 36 children.
Trump: „I’ve never seen anything like it”
During the visit, Trump, together with First Lady Melania, met with families of the victims as well as local emergency services and officials. The president expressed sympathy and support for those affected, stressing that the whole nation shares in the grief and solidarity with the people of Texas. He described the destruction as hard to believe, noting that he has seen a lot of bad things but never anything like this — century-old trees were torn out of the ground, and the landscape has been severely devastated.
„Melania and I are praying for all the families affected by this terrible tragedy. Our brave first responders are on the ground doing what they do best” — Donald Trump.
The visit also carried a political dimension, especially in light of his earlier suggestions about limiting the role of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Trump suggested that disaster management should be more centralized at the state level rather than the federal level, a view supported by some local politicians, including Texas Governor Greg Abbott.
Texas Under Water. Rescue Operations Continue
In Texas, within just a few hours between July 4 and 7, rainfall in some places reached as much as 500 mm, which amounted to more than a third of the annual total. The water caught sleeping residents and campers off guard, which greatly hampered evacuation and rescue. The flood transformed the Guadalupe River valley beyond recognition and submerged more than 100 homes, leading to mass evacuations and leaving many residents without a roof over their heads.
Texas authorities, including Governor Greg Abbott, stress that the search for the missing is ongoing and will not stop until every person has been found. Emergency services and local communities are carrying out extensive rescue and relief efforts.
