"President Donald Trump is visiting areas affected by the devastating natural disaster in Texas."

"President Donald Trump is visiting areas affected by the devastating natural disaster in Texas." "So much water, so fast—nobody can believe it" — Trump

Texas, July 11, 2025 — U.S. President Donald Trump is visiting areas in Texas devastated by deadly flooding. The Guadalupe River has risen to dangerously high levels, resulting in at least 120 deaths. The White House has described the disaster as a "once-in-a-lifetime event."

In a statement, the White House said the President’s visit will include an aerial survey of flood-stricken regions and a stop at the state's emergency management center. There, he will meet with rescue workers, speak with relatives of the flood victims, and receive briefings from officials on ongoing rescue and relief operations.

President Trump remarked:

"It’s horrific. Nobody could’ve imagined something like this. So much water, so fast—nobody can believe it."

Trump will also visit the city of Kerrville, which has seen the highest number of fatalities. The intensity of the flood has caused widespread destruction throughout the city, with many areas still submerged.

Political Shift?

Although the Trump administration has long pledged to shut down the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and return disaster response authority to state governments, the July 4th flooding has softened that stance significantly. Analysts suggest that real-world crises are pressuring the administration’s political commitments.

State of Emergency Expanded

At the request of Governor Greg Abbott, President Trump has declared Kerr County and eight additional counties as federal disaster areas. This declaration paves the way for rebuilding efforts and access to federal aid in those regions.

In a statement, Governor Abbott said:

"I thank President Trump and his administration for their swift and consistent support. Until Texas fully recovers, every available resource will continue to be deployed."

FEMA has stated that full damage assessments are still pending in several areas. Additional counties may be added to the disaster declaration once more data becomes available.