Texas floods spur tragedy, controversy, and rescue appeals

English , International - بین الاقوامی , Snippets , / Tuesday, July 8th, 2025

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Texas, July 8 – Search efforts in central Texas have entered their fifth day as the death toll from devastating flash floods surpasses 100. Volunteers, such as Justin Rubio, continue scouring mud-soaked riverbanks in hopes of locating the missing. “It eats at your soul,” Rubio said, describing the emotional toll.
Authorities, while appreciating community efforts, have started restricting uncoordinated volunteer access due to safety risks. Kerrville Mayor Joe Herring Jr. emphasized the need for coordinated support: “We need focused volunteers, not random people showing up.”
Despite growing frustration from affected families, officials stressed patience, citing the vast search zone and the involvement of 19 agencies using boats, dogs, drones, and helicopters.
The tragedy took on a political dimension after a Houston-based pediatrician affiliated with Blue Fish Pediatrics lost her job following a controversial social media post. The post suggested that voters in a Trump-supporting county were “getting what they voted for” in reference to the floods. Blue Fish Pediatrics stated the physician, identified publicly as Dr. Christina Propst, was “no longer employed” and condemned the comments for politicizing tragedy and lacking compassion.
Meanwhile, criticism has intensified over past federal decisions impacting disaster preparedness. Senator Ted Cruz has faced backlash for inserting language into Donald Trump’s spending bill that slashed $200 million in funding for weather research and forecasting. Environmental advocates warned that such cuts, along with mass exits from agencies like the National Weather Service and FEMA, have weakened the nation’s disaster readiness.
Cruz was reportedly vacationing in Greece as the floods struck. His office claimed the trip had been planned in advance.
The scale of the devastation highlights the urgent need for coordinated response, improved forecasting infrastructure, and depoliticized support for affected communities.