Following the recent earthquake in Afghanistan, the situation for women has been exacerbated by Taliban-enforced gender restrictions and centuries-old customs. These rules, forbidding unrelated male rescuers from touching women, have resulted in women being left behind during rescue efforts, as male rescuers hesitate to assist. The lack of female healthcare workers, due to the Taliban’s ban on women’s education in certain fields, further compounds the problem in rural areas. Consequently, women are often ignored or left waiting for assistance, and are disproportionately impacted by the disaster.
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Ken Pagurek, the head of FEMA’s Urban Search and Rescue branch, resigned after a delayed response to the Texas floods, citing frustration with the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency. The delay in deploying FEMA’s resources was caused by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s requirement for personal approval of contracts over $100,000. This bureaucratic hurdle caused significant delays in the delivery of essential resources. FEMA is now rolling out a new internal review process aimed at speeding up the approval of “lifesaving” resources during disasters, although it is unclear if this will solve the initial problems.
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has refuted reports from the New York Times indicating FEMA failed to answer a significant portion of distress calls from victims during the catastrophic Texas floods. According to the Times’ findings, nearly two-thirds of calls went unanswered, a figure Noem labeled as “false,” attributing the issue to political motivations. Noem, known for her stringent cost-cutting measures, including firing numerous call center contractors, maintained the response was the “best” FEMA response in years. She also stated FEMA needs to be “redeployed in a new way” and that other federal agencies were involved in the response.
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FEMA Didn’t Answer Thousands of Calls From Flood Survivors, Documents Show
It’s pretty staggering to hear that FEMA, the very agency designed to help people in times of crisis, failed to answer a significant number of calls from flood survivors. This isn’t just about a few dropped calls; we’re talking about thousands of unanswered pleas for help, at a time when people’s lives were likely turned upside down. The documents reveal a concerning situation, and it paints a picture of potential systemic failures that need serious scrutiny.
The core of the issue, as it seems, boils down to FEMA’s call center contracts.… Continue reading
Following a deadly flood in Texas, Senator Ted Cruz faced criticism for a vacation to Greece, while also ensuring a reduction in funding for weather forecasting efforts. Cruz’s actions included inserting language in the Republican spending bill to eliminate a $150 million fund for weather forecasting improvements. Environmental groups criticized these cuts, which may have worsened the response to the disaster. The Trump administration’s budget proposal seeks to dismantle NOAA’s weather and climate research labs.
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Following devastating flash floods that claimed over 100 lives and left more than 160 people missing over the July Fourth weekend, Texas Governor Greg Abbott deflected questions about “blame,” stating that such inquiries are the “word choice of losers.” The governor, after touring the affected areas, emphasized the state’s focus on search and rescue efforts, as well as the recovery of victims. Questions about the timing of warnings and preparedness have emerged, with local officials acknowledging a lack of warning systems and past proposals for improvement being rejected. While search and rescue efforts continue, officials are receiving support from both President Donald Trump and the Texas National Guard, as the state will begin to address every aspect of the storm in order to prevent deadly incidents in the future.
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President Trump praised Texas officials and first responders for their handling of the recent flash floods, stating the response was “great” and likely saved lives. His comments came as the death toll surpassed 100. Critics have raised concerns, however, citing budget cuts to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and National Weather Service (NWS) earlier this year, which some feared could hinder preparedness. Despite these concerns, current NWS employees maintain that warnings were issued with sufficient time for evacuation.
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In a display of international cooperation, firefighters from Ciudad Acuña, Mexico, have joined the search and rescue operations in the Texas Hill Country following devastating flash floods on July 4, 2025. The team of over 20 responders from Fundación 911 arrived on Sunday morning, immediately beginning their efforts alongside the Mountain Home Fire Department. They are utilizing drones and other advanced technology to aid in the search for the dozens of Texans still missing. This collaborative effort highlights the established training and cooperation between Mexican and U.S. fire departments for disaster response.
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Following devastating flash floods in Texas, President Trump addressed reporters in New Jersey. When questioned about federal cuts potentially impacting the disaster response, Trump dismissed the inquiry and deferred blame to the Biden administration. He also expressed uncertainty about rehiring meteorologists who had been let go. Despite Trump’s statements, the National Weather Service confirmed issuing warnings hours before the floods, contradicting his assessment of the situation.
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Texas officials are criticizing the National Weather Service for providing inaccurate forecasts, which they believe contributed to the devastating floods in the Hill Country. The NWS had predicted significantly less rainfall than what actually occurred, leaving many residents and authorities unprepared. These inaccuracies come after the agency underwent drastic staffing cuts under the Department of Government Efficiency. These cuts were part of a larger effort to dismantle federal agencies and eliminate climate-related initiatives.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood