FEMA's response to Texas flood slowed by Noem's cost controls

[highplainsdem]

Source: CNN

-snip-

As CNN has previously reported, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — whose department oversees FEMA — recently enacted a sweeping rule aimed at cutting spending: Every contract and grant over $100,000 now requires her personal sign-off before any funds can be released.

-snip-

For example, as central Texas towns were submerged in rising waters, FEMA officials realized they couldn’t pre-position Urban Search and Rescue crews from a network of teams stationed regionally across the country.

-snip-

But even as Texas rescue crews raced to save lives, FEMA officials realized they needed Noem’s approval before sending those additional assets. Noem didn’t authorize FEMA’s deployment of Urban Search and Rescue teams until Monday, more than 72 hours after the flooding began, multiple sources told CNN.

-snip-

Texas did request aerial imagery from FEMA to aid search and rescue operations, a source told CNN, but that was delayed as it awaited Noem’s approval for the necessary contract.

-snip-

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/09/politics/fema-texas-flood-noem

[Walleye]

1. They want to kill everybody, even Texans aren't safe

[MLWR]

2. We all know

that the almighty buck is far more important to good xtian republiSCUM than human life.

[wishstar]

3. Hundreds of FEMA employees were fired or left under retirement buyouts too

with DOGE downsizing so they don't have as many "boots on the ground" even available to respond and assist.

[SheltieLover]

4. Of course the puppy murderer is involved.

[IronLionZion]

5. Republicans are so efficient like that

saving money by not providing services to taxpayers who need it. Tax cuts are the new pull yourself up by the bootstraps.

[LaRaven]

7. And it's OUR MONEY! To be used FOR US!

[IronLionZion]

9. Billionaires want more money. Do you ever think of that? No, you only think of yourself.

[republianmushroom]

6. Of course, republicans value money over everything else.

Unless it affects them personally.

[speak easy]

8. Heck of a job Kristi

[ananda]

10. I knew it. FEMA is watered down...

and disaster aid is transactional.

Words fail.

[NoMoreRepugs]

11. It's all about CONTROL - even who lives and dies. Trumpism is a plague on America.

[LudwigPastorius]

12. Heckofa job, Dogkiller Barbie!

[RedArkGuy]

13. It was frustrating to have this story behind CNN's paywall.

Making us all pay a $40 a year subscription fee to know Noem is holding up the rescue and recovery effort.

Have a damn conscience, CNN.

[BaronChocula]

14. had to buy more kevlar costumes for "proud boys"

posing as federal ice agents. Them thangs ain't cheap.

[riversedge]

15. So--Lives could have been saved in Texas flood if Kristi Noem had acted earlier-and more quickly!!

The slow response boils down to people waiting to be saved while Noem fiddles with papers.


...........As CNN has previously reported, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — whose department oversees FEMA — recently enacted a sweeping rule aimed at cutting spending: Every contract and grant over $100,000 now requires her personal sign-off before any funds can be released.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

16. Kristi Noem waited 3 days to deploy FEMA rescuers after Texas flood hit: report

People died due to this idiot

Kristi Noem waited 3 days to deploy FEMA rescuers after Texas flood hit: report https://twp.ai/4io76a

— #TuckFrump (@realtuckfrumper.bsky.social) 2025-07-09T22:52:24.000Z

https://www.rawstory.com/kristi-noem-texas-2673042686/

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem did not authorize the deployment of Federal Emergency Management Agency urban search-and-rescue teams in the Texas Hill Country flood disaster until more than 72 hours after the crisis began, CNN reported on Wednesday.

This follows rule changes that Noem imposed at her department that required a personal sign-off on any operation with an expense over $100,000, a figure so tiny it practically applies to any response to a significant emergency.

"In the past, FEMA would have swiftly staged these teams, which are specifically trained for situations including catastrophic floods, closer to a disaster zone in anticipation of urgent requests, multiple agency sources told CNN," reported Gabe Cohen and Michael Williams. However, "even as Texas rescue crews raced to save lives, FEMA officials realized they needed Noem’s approval before sending those additional assets."

"Noem didn’t authorize FEMA’s deployment of Urban Search and Rescue teams until Monday, more than 72 hours after the flooding began, multiple sources told CNN," the report continued.

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

17. Just micromanage everything

Works every time.'

[Mysterian]

18. Putting idiots in charge of high level agencies

There will be more avoidable disasters that are not avoided.