Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) repeatedly granted Camp Mystic’s appeals to remove buildings from its 100-year flood map, despite the camp operating in a dangerous flood plain. In 2011, FEMA designated the camp in a “Special Flood Hazard Area,” requiring flood insurance and tighter construction regulations. However, through multiple appeals, the agency amended the map, removing buildings from the hazard area in 2013, and again in 2019 and 2020, potentially allowing the camp to avoid insurance requirements or lower premiums. Despite the amendments, analysis showed both camp sites were at risk, with the Guadalupe site fully within the 100-year flood plain.
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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
Amidst the devastating Texas floods, which resulted in numerous deaths and missing persons, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delayed crucial aid by requiring her signature on contracts and grants over $100,000. According to multiple sources, this new requirement delayed the deployment of Urban Search and Rescue crews, aerial imagery, and additional staff for FEMA’s disaster call center. While Texas awaited aid, Noem took to social media to ask followers for their preference on her official portrait as a former governor. Former FEMA Director Deanne Criswell stated that these delays could have cost lives.
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U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem renewed calls to eliminate FEMA, citing its slow response to the recent Texas floods, which have resulted in over 120 deaths. However, this delay appears to be a direct result of a new policy implemented by Noem, requiring her approval for all contracts or grants above $100,000, which multiple FEMA officials said has created bureaucratic obstacles and massive delays, including the deployment of search and rescue teams. Noem’s policy, which has been criticized for potentially causing delays in emergency situations, was implemented under the guise of rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. Congressional Democrats are now calling for investigations into the Trump administration’s cuts to FEMA, which may have contributed to the devastation, and some are urging to stop the dismantling of federal agencies designed to keep citizens safe.
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Secretary Kristi Noem, speaking at the FEMA Review Council meeting, renewed her call for a complete overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Despite FEMA’s ongoing involvement in search and recovery efforts following devastating floods in Texas, Noem advocated for its elimination and replacement with a more responsive agency. She specifically stated that FEMA should shift its operational model to be state and locally driven, departing from its decades-long federal-led approach. This proposed restructuring aims to improve efficiency and effectiveness in disaster response.
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Secretary Kristi Noem defended the Trump administration’s response to the Texas flash floods, attributing the delayed warning to outdated technology and highlighting ongoing upgrades. Noem deflected criticism by stating the administration is working to fix neglected systems, shifting blame to previous administrations. While acknowledging concerns regarding cuts to weather research labs, she assured reporters she would convey these issues to President Trump. The report also mentioned recent cuts at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service as well as Trump’s plans to phase out FEMA.
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Tropical Storm Chantal, which formed off the coast of South Carolina, was forecast to make landfall in the Carolinas early Sunday, triggering tropical storm warnings in the area. The National Hurricane Center predicted the storm would hit between Charleston, South Carolina, and Cape Fear, North Carolina, bringing maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. Heavy rainfall, potential flash flooding, gusty winds, and high rip currents were expected across the Carolinas through Monday, with total rainfall amounts between two and four inches, with local amounts up to six inches. The storm is anticipated to rapidly weaken after landfall, but the South Carolina Emergency Management Division stated it would begin impacting the state Saturday.
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Despite the president’s imposed July 4 deadline, Republicans face internal discord regarding the passage of the tax cut bill. House Speaker Mike Johnson acknowledged the need for compromise, as the House Freedom Caucus criticized the Senate’s version, advocating for further cuts. Moderates are concerned about the bill’s impact on safety-net programs, while swing-district Republicans fear backlash. With the ability to lose only three votes, opposition from any group could prevent passage, causing significant delays.
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Under the Trump administration, efforts are underway to rapidly execute mass deportations of criminal illegal aliens through cost-effective measures. A new detention facility is planned for construction at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Florida, which is estimated to hold 1,000 people and be operational within a matter of weeks. The facility’s operation will cost approximately $450 million annually. However, the mayor of Miami-Dade County has raised concerns about the potential environmental impact on the Everglades ecosystem.
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President Trump announced plans to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) after the 2025 hurricane season, shifting disaster relief responsibilities to states. This decision, supported by Homeland Security Secretary Noem, aims to reduce federal aid and increase state autonomy in disaster response. The administration believes governors should handle such situations, though concerns exist regarding state preparedness for catastrophic events. A FEMA review council is currently assessing the agency’s future, potentially leading to significant reductions in its size and operational scope.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood