Trump's Texas visit highlights an us-vs-them approach to disasters
www.reuters.com

... In the days since flash flooding killed at least 120 people in Texas, President Donald Trump has pledged unwavering support for the deep-red state, lauding Republican Governor Greg Abbott and other local officials for their "incredible" response to the July 4 disaster.

That praise, which Trump is likely to repeat during his visit to the flood-ravaged Texas Hill Country on Friday, is a far cry from Trump's harsh criticism of elected Democrats in California when wildfires devastated Los Angeles in January.

While the fires were burning, he accused Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass of "gross incompetence." Months later, left-leaning California is seeking more federal dollars to help recover from the catastrophe. ...

ICE Barbie's Delayed Flood Response Caused FEMA to Miss Thousands of Phone Calls
www.thedailybeast.com

... The Federal Emergency Management Agency didn't answer thousands of phone calls after the Texas floods last week because it had fired call center contractors.

Records obtained by The New York Times show that FEMA laid off contractors the night of July 5, when flood waters were receding but still high, and when damage assessment was taking place. It took Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem until Thursday -- five days later -- to renew the contractors' contracts. ...

Unpacking reports Noem's cost controls delayed FEMA's Texas flood response
www.snopes.com

... Noem reportedly issued a directive requiring all contracts and grants over $100,000 to receive her personal sign off for approval. ...

Timeline of reported events

CNN first reported on June 18 that Noem ordered "every contract and grant over $100,000 must now cross her desk for approval," according to a memo obtained by the news company. That includes funding for agencies under DHS, like FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Hours later, Federal News Network, a publication for federal employees, published a report corroborating CNN's reporting. CNN's story also cited current and former senior FEMA officials who reportedly warned "the new approval process could severely disrupt the distribution of emergency funds during natural disasters." Each official spoke under the condition of anonymity " except one, quoted below: ....

FEMA records show Kerr County didn't alert all cellphones as flooding began
www.nbcnews.com

... FEMA records show Kerr County officials did not use FEMA's system to send warnings to phones in the critical hours as the flooding began on July 4. ...