Mr. Trump and Abbott promised to rebuild the devastated region, although the president recognized that what was lost can never be recovered.

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump and Texas lawmakers on Friday defended the federal government’s response to the deadly July Fourth flooding in Central Texas, claiming that aid was quickly dispatched to reeling communities after the floodwaters swept through.

President Trump and the first lady visited central Texas on Friday, surveying the catastrophic damage and offering comfort to families who lost loved ones in last week's floods. The death toll stands at 120 and at least 160 people are missing.

Max Chesnes is the Tampa Bay Times' environment and climate reporter, covering public lands, water quality, wildlife and everything in between. Reach him at [email protected] or follow him on Instagram @MaxChesnes. Anyone can view a sampling of recent comments, but you must be a Times subscriber to contribute. Log in above or subscribe here.

Crews from Gainesville are helping the response to flooding in central Texas. Gainesville Fire-Rescue said that six members of its Swift Water Rescue Team were deployed to Kerr County as part of search and rescue missions along the Guadalupe River.

After touring the flood zone in central Texas, President Donald Trump is taking part in a roundtable event with first responders and local officials at the Hill Country Youth Event Center.

Maps show how heavy rainfall and rocky terrain helped create the devastating Texas floods that have killed more than 120 people.

A Texas official said no person has been rescued alive from flood damage since Friday. This comes as the number of people missing remains above 150 and as questions remain about the emergency alerts preceding the catastrophic event.