State and local officials said they did their best to coordinate evacuations and rescues, but better cellphone service might help in future floods.

Plus, Republicans strategists are advising lawmakers to appeal to working class voters when selling Donald Trump's "big, beautiful bill" ahead of the midterms.

State lawmakers are now taking matters into their own hands to improve disaster response and preparedness across Texas.

Noem and others have faced criticism for their response to the tragedy in which more than a hundred are dead or missing.

The Economist/YouGov poll surveyed nearly 1,680 U.S. adults this week, and 52% blamed lack of government preparation for most of the deaths, mainly centered in Kerr County along the Guadalupe River.

Kristi Noem detailed how the federal government deployed resources and funds to Texas flood victims, signaling fundamental changes to FEMA under the Trump administration.

The federal response to the flash flooding disaster in Texas has come under scrutiny. President Trump, who has called for cuts to FEMA, praised the agency during his recent visit to Texas, but did not comment on his plans for its future.

The homeland security secretary said a report that thousands of calls to a disaster hotline went unanswered because of staffing cuts was “false.”

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defended FEMA's response to Texas flooding, calling Democrat criticism politically motivated as the agency deployed over 700 workers within hours.

A large percentage of people still unaccounted for were probably visiting the area, Kerr County Judge Rob Kelly said.