US President Donald Trump praised both state and federal authorities for how they handled the devastating flash floods in Texas. At least 120 people lost their lives during the week-long disaster.

Trump and First Lady Melania Trump visited the Hill Country in central Texas. They met with first responders, local leaders, and the families of victims. The floods, caused by heavy rainfall, swept away homes, cabins, vehicles, and people.

“This is a tough one. I’ve never seen anything like this,” Trump said during a roundtable meeting in Kerrville, the worst-hit area in Kerr County. He added, “I’ve gone to a lot of hurricanes, a lot of tornadoes. I’ve never seen anything like this. This is a bad one.”

Federal Cuts Under Scrutiny Amid Praise

Trump’s visit came shortly after his administration reduced funding for federal disaster response agencies. He described the Texas floods as a “100-year catastrophe” and said, “nobody expected” such a severe event.

While he praised the search and rescue teams, their work has faced criticism. Some residents and visitors reported that emergency warnings along the Guadalupe River were delayed by several hours.

Early Warning System Was Rejected

Local officials had previously rejected plans to install an early-warning system. They failed to get the necessary state funding. This decision has raised fresh concerns after the recent disaster.

In a Thursday interview with NBC’s Meet the Press, Trump appeared to support any new efforts to install such systems. His remarks suggested he may now back such initiatives.

FEMA's Future Remains Unclear

The Washington Post reported that the Trump administration plans to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The idea is to shift more responsibility to individual states.

FEMA did respond to the Texas flooding over the weekend. It acted after Trump signed a major disaster declaration, which released federal aid.

So far, Trump has not directly addressed questions about FEMA’s future. However, at a government meeting on Wednesday, South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem said FEMA should be “eliminated” in its current form.