Noem Denies Failures in Texas Flood Response

Noem denies failures in Texas flood response.
FEMA collapses after contract cuts.
Criticism over lack of evacuations in Texas.

There are allegations of a crisis in handling emergency calls.

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem responded on Sunday to criticism over the government’s management of the floods in Texas,

which have already left at least 120 dead and more than 170 missing.

In an interview with NBC, Noem called the accusations of an alleged lack of response to thousands of emergency calls “false.”

Noem Denies Failures in Texas Flood Response

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem dismissed as “false” the reports claiming that thousands of calls to the helpline during the Texas floods went unanswered. https://t.co/ZrkMg6mcxS

— EFE Noticias (@EFEnoticias) July 13, 2025

The New York Times reported that FEMA’s emergency response rate plummeted from 99.7% on July 5 to just 15.9% on July 7, right after Noem failed to renew four call center contracts.

According to the outlet, the federal agency received more than 16,400 calls in a single day and responded to only slightly more than 2,600.

Noem defended her policy of personally overseeing all government contracts over $100,000, arguing it’s part of her effort to improve efficiency and fight wasteful spending.

She showed no signs of regret for this measure, despite the consequences reported during the emergency.

Trump Defends Early Warning but Questions Local Prevention

Kristi Noem rejects reports of lack of response to the emergency in Texas

Citizens and experts have criticized local authorities for failing to order evacuations https://t.co/aC8qrTamdj pic.twitter.com/Wm6eDl5NGG

— El Siglo de Torreón (@torreon) July 13, 2025

President Donald Trump, for his part, was also questioned over his remarks after visiting Kerr County, one of the areas hardest hit by the disaster.

In an interview with his daughter-in-law, Lara Trump, the president suggested that “maybe they should have had bells, something ringing,” to warn people about the imminent danger.

Although he acknowledged there was an “early warning,” he partially blamed nighttime conditions for the tragedy: “It was late at night, and people were sleeping.”

His comments were met with criticism from local residents and risk management experts.

Citizens and Experts Criticize Lack of Evacuations in Texas

Various sectors have questioned why local authorities did not order evacuations in riverside communities, despite warnings issued by the National Weather Service (NWS).

Heavy rains and the sudden overflowing of rivers such as the Guadalupe caught hundreds of families by surprise, especially in rural areas lacking alert infrastructure.

So far, rescue efforts continue, and the number of victims is expected to rise. Civil organizations have called for a federal audit into the administrative decisions that hindered a more effective response during the initial hours of the emergency.

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