Texas floods live updates: At least 121 dead as Trump heads to Kerr County where Camp Mystic is located

President Donald Trump said to reporters about the catastrophic flooding in Texas: “It’s a horrible thing, a horrible thing. Nobody can even believe it, such a thing that much water that fast, without a dam break. You think a dam would have to break to have it so terrible. But we’re going to be there with some of the great families and others, the governor, everybody.”

President Donald Trump on Thursday approved Governor Greg Abbott’s request to extend a major disaster declaration for flood-ravaged Central Texas. This expands eligibility for direct financial assistance to eight additional counties beyond Kerr County, aiding their recovery and rebuilding efforts.

Governor Abbott thanked President Trump and his administration for their “swift and continued support.”

He added: “Texas will continue to deploy all available resources and support to help those impacted until the job is done.”

FEMA noted that more counties could be added to the declaration as further damage assessments become available.

The National Weather Service has warned of “potentially numerous” flash floods in portions of Central Texas.

There is a greater risk of thunderstorms and heavy downpours in the area due to a new upper-level system that is expected to move in from the west, which may combine with moist air from the Gulf.

The ground is still saturated from the deadly floods a week ago, so even light to moderate rain could cause localized flash flooding.

Office of Management and Budget director Russ Vought gaggled with reporters in the White House driveway this morning and discussed FEMA and the response to the floods in Texas.

“FEMA has $13 billion in its reserves right now to continue to pay for the necessary expenses,” Vought said of that agency before adding that “the president has said to Texas, anything it needs it will get.”

He continued that, at the same time, “we also want FEMA to be reformed. We want FEMA to work well…the President is going to continue to be asking tough questions of all of his agencies.”

President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are set to depart the White House at 9:30 a.m. ET and arrive in Kerrville, Texas, at 12:20 p.m. per the White House schedule.

After touring the flood-damaged areas and meeting with the families of some of the victims, they will participate in a roundtable with first responders and local officials at 2:10 p.m.

The Trumps will depart for the president’s golf club at Bedminster, New Jersey, about an hour later.

Trump is set to be joined by Republican Governor Greg Abbott, Senator John Cornyn, and Senator Ted Cruz.

At least 121 people are dead and 173 are missing in central Texas after the Guadalupe River swelled last Friday, causing destructive flash flooding throughout Kerr County.

Now, before-and-after satellite images of several sites throughout Kerry County show the devastation caused by the floods as crews embark on a seventh day of search and rescue efforts.

Katie Hawkinson has more:

Hundreds of pets have been displaced by the central Texas flash floods that swept away cars, homes and killed more than 120 people.

Animal advocacy nonprofit Wings of Rescue airlifted 117 cats and dogs to safety on Thursday, bringing them to Meacham Airport in Fort Worth from shelters in flooded San Angelo and San Marcos.

The group says it has rescued a total of 242 animals since the July 4 floods.

Best Friends Animal Society has reportedly rescued about 130 cats and dogs from shelters.

Austin Wildlife Rescue said that it has taken in over 200 wild animals in the days

After months of threats to dismantle FEMA, the Trump administration has reportedly shelved the plan (for now).

As Donald Trump prepares for his trip to flood-ravaged Texas, a senior White House official told The Washington Post that no official action is being taken to wind down FEMA.

According to the official, the changes at the agency will likely amount to a “rebranding,” shifting the spotlight to state leaders as the drivers of disaster response.

“You’re already seeing the theory” of the administration’s new approach “taking place in Texas,” the official said.