Donald Trump Grilled About NWS Cuts After Deadly Texas Floods

[Rogue Valley]

Donald Trump grilled about NWS cuts after deadly Texas floods

Flash floods in Texas' Hill Country have killed dozens of people during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

www.newsweek.com

7.7.25
President Donald Trump was asked about cuts to the National Weather Service (NWS) after deadly Texas floods left at least 80 people dead. Speaking to reporters, the president dismissed concerns that there needs to be extra staff at the weather service and said the floods were an unexpected "once in a 100 years" event. Flash floods in Texas' Hill Country, which began on Friday, have killed at least 80 people while many others remain missing or displaced, after the Guadalupe River surged by more than 20 feet in 90 minutes. The NWS, which issues forecasts and weather warnings, has lost approximately 560 workers earlier this year amid Trump's desire to streamline government services and save money. The flooding has raised questions about these cuts and the extent to which there is disaster preparedness in Texas and other states in the U.S.

Donald Trump/Elon Musk/DOGE gutted the National Weather Service earlier this year. They also gutted FEMA ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

Weather Service staffing "clearly a concern" ahead of deadly Texas floods

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut hundreds of jobs as the National Weather Service earlier this year.

www.newsweek.com

 

[lynnwinslow]

Donald Trump grilled about NWS cuts after deadly Texas floods

Flash floods in Texas' Hill Country have killed dozens of people during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

www.newsweek.com

Donald Trump/Elon Musk/DOGE gutted the National Weather Service earlier this year. They also gutted FEMA ahead of the 2025 hurricane season.

Weather Service staffing "clearly a concern" ahead of deadly Texas floods

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) cut hundreds of jobs as the National Weather Service earlier this year.

www.newsweek.com

NOAA cuts should be part of the conversation as well.

 

[Rogue Valley]

 

[longview]

People act like the National Weather service did not issue a warming.
National Weather Service shares timeline of alerts ahead of catastrophic Texas flooding

NWS says Flash Flood Warnings were issued on July 3 and early July 4, giving more than three hours of warning.​

 

[lynnwinslow]

People act like the National Weather service did not issue a warming.
National Weather Service shares timeline of alerts ahead of catastrophic Texas flooding

These extreme events are becoming more frequent. Do you think we should talk about the condition of the agencies that are set up to help us or should we just keep the status quo?

 

[longview]

These extreme events are becoming more frequent. Do you think we should talk about the condition of the agencies that are set up to help us or should we just keep the status quo?

The same warnings that would have gone out before still went out.
As for the frequency of extreme weather events, areas exposed to tropical weather get extreme events, it is nothing new.

 

[lynnwinslow]

The same warnings that would have gone out before still went out.
As for the frequency of extreme weather events, areas exposed to tropical weather get extreme events, it is nothing new.

Before I spend too much time replying, I just want to establish some common ground.
Are you saying that you think extreme weather events are not becoming more frequent?

 

[longview]

Before I spend too much time replying, I just want to establish some common ground.
Are you saying that you think extreme weather events are not becoming more frequent?

I do not think they are, we have better reporting, and more people and structures in harms way.
Take the Hurricane Harvey flooding in Houston in 2017 (I was here), it was really bad, but
we had a similar amount of rainfall in the area in 1979. If anything the flooding is less frequent because of the
flood control measures in place. Between 1836 and 1936, Houston recorded 16 major floods.
Harris County’s Flooding History

Harris County suffered through 16 major floods from 1836 to 1936, some of which crested at more than 40 feet, turning downtown Houston streets into raging rivers.

 

[lynnwinslow]

I do not think they are,

Okay, have a good one.

we have better reporting, and more people and structures in harms way.
Take the Hurricane Harvey flooding in Houston in 2017 (I was here), it was really bad, but
we had a similar amount of rainfall in the area in 1979. If anything the flooding is less frequent because of the
flood control measures in place. Between 1836 and 1936, Houston recorded 16 major floods.
Harris County’s Flooding History

 

[element94]

Donald Trump, the man who can do no wrong. Texas got what it voted for. Is there a problem?

 

[longview]

Okay, have a good one.

For the sake of discussion (This is a debate forum) let's say extreme weather events are becoming more common.
What do you think we should do about them, and why do you think those actions will change the trajectory of the climate?

 

[lynnwinslow]

For the sake of discussion (This is a debate forum) let's say extreme weather events are becoming more common.
What do you think we should do about them, and why do you think those actions will change the trajectory of the climate?

I don't know you and having nothing against you but I refuse to follow someone with a clear bias down a "what should we do? what about? why?" rabbit hole. I learned my lesson in the gun threads.

 

[reflechissez]

I don't know you and having nothing against you but I refuse to follow someone with a clear bias down a "what should we do? what about? why?" rabbit hole. I learned my lesson in the gun threads.

He fancies himself a climate change expert. Best to avoid.

 

[longview]

I don't know you and having nothing against you but I refuse to follow someone with a clear bias down a "what should we do? what about? why?" rabbit hole. I learned my lesson in the gun threads.

The implication is that we can actually change the climate to something better, when there is no
scientific basis to that belief.
As for the actual trends, things are changing, but the climate always changes.
How are extreme weather events and the climate evolving in the United States?

 

[TangoNoCash]

Has he spent 100 million dollars of taxpayer money golfing yet?

 

[phoenix2020]

I don't know you and having nothing against you but I refuse to follow someone with a clear bias down a "what should we do? what about? why?" rabbit hole. I learned my lesson in the gun threads.

It’s a good strategy. No good will come from engagement with him. Many of us have learned this first hand.

 

[Visbek]

By the way, Dear Leader "activated" FEMA in Texas and is talking about federal aid. Funny how just a few weeks ago, the big plan was to eliminate FEMA and all federal involvement, and leave disaster prevention, aid and recovery to the states...

 

[j brown's body]

These extreme events are becoming more frequent. Do you think we should talk about the condition of the agencies that are set up to help us or should we just keep the status quo?

His comment that it happens "once every 100 years "is troubling.

 

[Fletch]

He fancies himself a climate change expert. Best to avoid.

Yes, the only thing you climate change alarmists fear more than climate change is having your opinions challenged.

 

[ElChupacabra]

Based on the information thus far, the questions are less about funding cuts to the NWS and more about the warning systems for this kind of event. The NWS issues warnings the day before and very specific ones about the threat level as it increased.

 

[lynnwinslow]

His comment that it happens "once every 100 years "is troubling.

When I saw the out of left field post about a specific county in TX, which was not the one where the current tragedy occurred, the red flag shot up.

 

[Fletch]

By the way, Dear Leader "activated" FEMA in Texas and is talking about federal aid. Funny how just a few weeks ago, the big plan was to eliminate FEMA and all federal involvement, and leave disaster prevention, aid and recovery to the states...

That should be the goal but it doesnt mean you can just throw a switch and make it happen