The president and the first lady were set to tour areas devastated by flooding in Central Texas. The administration has faced scrutiny over its level of preparedness and its disaster response.

The president has defended his administration's response to the fatal flooding amid criticism that federal assistance could have been provided more quickly.

Noem ordered that every FEMA contract and grant worth that exceeds $100,000 must cross her desk for approval, CNN reported in June. The latest reporting by the outlet insinuated that this rule “stripped [FEMA] of much of its autonomy” during the flood, which raged across at least six counties and killed over 120 people in the early hours of July 4.

President Trump and the first lady, Melania Trump, are expected to visit flood-ravaged areas of Central Texas on Friday to meet with emergency workers and survivors and to see disaster sites along the Guadalupe River.

Three Ohio Task Force 1 (OH-TF1) members — a search team manager and two canine search specialists, along with two dogs — will depart from the team's warehouse in Montgomery County around 5-6 p.m. Friday evening. The canines and their handlers will search for people who are missing or who may be trapped.

Ingram Fire Department shifts focus from flood response to rebuilding, thanks to overwhelming community support. INGRAM, Texas — Ingram Fire Department has transitioned from emergency flood response to long-term rebuilding efforts after an overwhelming community response met their immediate disaster relief needs, Chief Diana Baccus announced.

A Kerrville-area river authority executed a contract for a flood warning system that would have been used to help with emergency response, local officials said.

FEMA sends under 100 staffers to Texas flooding disaster as state rolls out nearly 1,800 responders - President Donald Trump has proposed phasing out the federal emergency management agency