The devastating flash floods that struck central Texas over July 4th weekend have killed at least 120 people, with more than 170 still missing. Among the dead are 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic summer camp, with 5 campers and 1 counselor still unaccounted for. As the tragedy unfolded, troubling details emerged about the timing of federal budget cuts and political decisions that preceded the disaster.
This article covers the devastating Texas floods over July 4th weekend, federal budget cuts, and political responses.
THE LOCATION: AMERICA’S DEADLIEST FLOOD ZONE
The disaster struck in what experts call “Flash Flood Alley” – a crescent-shaped region of Central Texas considered the most flash-flood prone area in the United States. Texas leads the nation in flood deaths by a wide margin, with 1,069 people dying in flooding from 1959 to 2019 – far ahead of Louisiana’s 693.
The Guadalupe River Basin is one of the three most dangerous regions in the country for flash floods, and the Guadalupe River has experienced major flooding more than a dozen times in the last century. The river experienced major floods in 1936, 1952, 1972, 1973, 1978, 1987, 1991 and 1997. In 1987, a similar flood killed 10 teenagers at another summer camp.
This wasn’t an unforeseeable “act of God” – it was a well-known, recurring threat in one of America’s most flood-prone regions.
THE BUDGET CUTS
Just days before the flooding, Senator Ted Cruz successfully added language to Trump’s budget reconciliation bill (the “Big Beautiful Bill”) that eliminated critical weather forecasting funding:
- $150 million cut from NOAA programs designed to “accelerate advances and improvements in research, observation systems, modeling, forecasting, assessments, and dissemination of information to the public”
- $50 million eliminated from NOAA grants studying climate-related impacts on weather systems and coastal ecosystems
These cuts were specifically targeted at improving forecast accuracy and early warning capabilities – exactly the systems that could have provided better advance notice of flash flood conditions.
THE DENIED REQUESTS FOR HELP
The tragedy becomes even more heartbreaking when you learn about Kerr County’s repeated attempts to get federal funding for flood warning systems:
- 2017: Kerr County and the Upper Guadalupe River Authority applied for $980,000 in FEMA funds to build a flood warning system – DENIED
- 2018: After Hurricane Harvey, they tried again for federal disaster relief funding – DENIED AGAIN
- 2021: County commissioners discussed allocating $50,000 locally for warning sirens, but the plans went nowhere due to budget constraints
- 2023: They considered applying to Texas’ Flood Infrastructure Fund but declined because the grant would only cover 5% of the total project cost
For years, local officials knew they needed better flood warning systems. They applied for federal help multiple times and were repeatedly turned down, with funding prioritized for more densely populated areas.
THE TIMING
The tragic irony cannot be ignored:
- Tuesday, July 2: Cruz helped finalize the budget cuts to weather forecasting
- Thursday, July 3: The bill passed Congress
- Friday, July 4: Deadly flash flooding struck Texas while Cruz was vacationing in Greece
- Saturday, July 5: Cruz was photographed touring the Parthenon in Athens as the death toll mounted
- Sunday, July 6: Cruz finally departed Greece
- Monday, July 7: Cruz appeared at the disaster site calling for “better warning systems”
THE RESPONSE
When questioned about the cuts, Cruz dismissed criticism as “partisan finger-pointing” and stated it wasn’t the time for blame. However, he simultaneously called for improved early warning systems – the very systems his amendments had just defunded and that his county had been denied funding for years earlier.
The National Weather Service defended its response, noting that flood warnings were issued hours before the emergency. Yet experts pointed out that the San Antonio NWS office was missing a key coordinator position, vacant since April when a longtime employee took the Trump administration’s buyout offer.
THE PATTERN
This marks the second time Cruz has been absent during a major Texas weather disaster – he famously fled to Cancún during the 2021 winter storm that left millions without power.
But the pattern goes deeper:
Cutting disaster preparedness then calling for better systems: Cruz has repeatedly voted against federal disaster relief funding, then demanded federal aid when Texas is hit. He voted against Hurricane Sandy relief in 2013, then sought federal help for Texas disasters.
Climate denial while representing climate-vulnerable constituents: Cruz has called climate change a “hoax” and opposed renewable energy initiatives, despite representing a state that leads the nation in both extreme weather deaths and renewable energy potential.
Prioritizing political theater over governance: Cruz led the 2013 government shutdown over Obamacare (costing the economy $24 billion), staged the January 6th election objections, and spent time on podcast tours while Texas faced infrastructure crises.
Vacation timing: The Greece trip follows a pattern of poor timing – he also faced criticism for attending a fundraiser dinner while Texas dealt with border issues, and for his general absence during state emergencies.
Blaming others after his own policy decisions: Cruz consistently deflects responsibility, calling criticism “partisan finger-pointing” even when his own legislative actions are directly relevant to the crisis at hand.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Cruz represents constituents living in America’s deadliest flood zone – a place where everyone knows flash floods are not a matter of “if” but “when.” His county had repeatedly begged for federal help to build warning systems and been denied. Then he personally cut the remaining federal weather forecasting funding. Then he went on vacation as disaster struck.
The families grieving 120+ lost lives – including dozens of children whose summer camp became a death trap – deserve leaders who prioritize public safety over political gamesmanship and vacation schedules. With over 170 people still missing, the full scope of this tragedy continues to unfold.
- https://abcnews.go.com/US/live-updates/texas-flooding-updates-13-dead-20-campers-unaccounted/?id=123488468
- The Guardian: Cruz’s role in slashing $150M from NOAA forecasting and $50M from climate grants.
- Mother Jones: Cruz’s budget cuts to NOAA programs.
- CNN: Noem’s rule delayed FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue teams until July 7.
- Forbes: FEMA delays due to Noem’s approval rule.
- The Washington Post: FEMA response hindered by Noem’s bureaucratic hurdle.
- Truthout: Noem’s Instagram post about her portrait cited from The Daily Beast.
- Texas Tribune: Cruz vacationing in Greece and returning July 6.
- The Hill: San Antonio NWS office missing key coordinator since April.
- The New York Times: Cruz dismissed criticism as “partisan finger-pointing.”
Expanded from: https://lfitzhugh.substack.com/p/ted-cruz-explainer-texas-floods-2025