July 8, 2025 • 12 mins
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families and friends affected by this tragedy. If you wish to help please click on the link provided: Kerr County Flood Relief Fund
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
But I agree, when you're talking about twenty six feet
of water in forty five minutes, there is simply no way.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
To prepare for that. It is a tragedy.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
In those politicizing it ought to be ashamed of themselves
and Joe again, we cannot tame Mother Nature at all.
This is a forty seven Morning Update special edition with
Ben ferguson.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Good Tuesday morning. It is nice to have you with
us on the forty seven Morning Update. Is it is
a tough morning, a sad morning, as we look at
the horrific flooding and the loss of life in Texas.
I'm going to give you personal details of what has
happened and give you the full story of exactly what
the left is now trying to do and use this
(00:40):
tragedy to push their own climate agenda and also blaming
Donald Trump. Will give you the details on that in
the moment. It's the forty seven Morning Update and it
starts right now.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Story number one.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
I want to first start by saying that this is
a very tough show to do this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I know people that have lost loved ones.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I know people that are going to funerals over the
next couple days who lost their children at camp right
there on the Guadawaalupe River where the flooding happened. I
know this area because it is where my family goes
to spend time throughout the year, right there in Kerrville.
(01:23):
It is an area that I know incredibly well, as
I've spent days and days there with my family. The
thought of having to deal with the flooding and the
way that it happened there, I want you to understand,
no one could prepare for what I would describe as
a once in a lifetime, one hundred year flood. There
are many in the left and in the media that
(01:44):
are trying to politicize this to attack Donald Trump and
say that the National Weather Service had cuts and staff
and that's the reason why people died. There are others
that's saying the disaster response was all Donald Trump's fault
because of cut Both of these are absolute lies. You
also need to understand in Kerrville, in this area where
(02:07):
the flooding happened and the loss of life happened, this
is an area that when it rains, the water is
not really absorbed into the ground like in most parts
of the country. If it rains at my house, significantly.
The water goes into the ground, but there is so
much rock and Curveville in that area that you get
these flash floods because the water builds up instantly and
(02:28):
starts to flood the area. It's also an area where
they don't actually receive that much rain. They can go
hundreds of days without seeing rain. This is an area
that is rural. It is a town that is so kind.
It is a group of people that are incredibly welcoming.
(02:49):
And you may not realize, but Curveville was the same
place where this strategy took happened, that was considered one
of the best places to see the total eclipse. Just
a little over a year ago, more than a million
people went to the hill country, Kerrville being the epicenter
of the blackout. That's where I was when the blackout happened,
and it was truly incredible to see the people there
(03:12):
were so welcoming, to people that drove in and flew
in from all over the country. But to watch and
to witness what has happened since then by the left
is truly just disgusting. I want to go through some
of the lies for you so that you understand exactly
what the truth is. For example, the left is saying
that the National Weather Service didn't have the staffing that
(03:33):
needed because it had been cut by Donald Trump.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
That is a lie, and.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
I hope you'll take this show and share it everywhere
that you can. We now know that meteorologists had argued
that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration known as NOAA
and the National Weather Service did their jobs well during
the devastating Texas flash floods. In fact, they even had
quote unquote extra staff on hand for the storm, despite Democrats'
(04:03):
claims that the Trump administration cut the agencies, contributing to
the loss of life over the holiday weekend. They were
trying to score political points, trying to go after Donald
Trump and conservatives. Even establishment media outlets ran with this lie.
The Associated Press reported on the weather community's pushback on
(04:25):
the narrative, while the Democratic National Committee actually sent out
memos arguing that the Trump administration quote refused to backfill
key roles, likely contributing to preventable deaths and worsened devastation.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
All of it a lie.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
The Associated Press, for example, cited the NWS meteorologists Jason Runyon,
who said the agency's office in New Bronzevills that serves Austin,
Santoni and the surrounding areas in fact had more people
on duty than normal just before the flash floods occurred
before sunrise on front, saying this, there were extra people
(05:03):
in here that night, and that's typical in every Weather
Service office. You staff up for an event and bring
people in on overtime and you hold people over, explaining
that the office head up to five people on staff
when they would typically have two. Not only did the
National Weather Service also issue a series of flash flood
(05:23):
warnings in the early hours Friday, before issuing flash flood
emergencies a rare alert notifying of immediate danger, this according
to the AP, but they also put out the initial
floodwatch at one eighteen pm the day before, yet again
showing how much the left is willing to lie and
(05:43):
no matter who's affected, including children that are dying, just
to score political points. What you also need to know
is the notices grew increasingly in the early morning hours
of Friday, culminating in a four h three am warning
for the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat
to human life.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Again, another warning going out.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Notice an outlet that the characterized the National Weather Service
staffing cuts as quote unquote aggressive moves by the Trump administration.
EVE report that the agency quote did have ex ra
staff on hand for the storm. Yet again, more lies
by the left. At the River Forecast Center, we usually
close overnight unless there is a flood threat. We identified
(06:28):
the threat and we increased overnight coverage, and we're staffed
twenty four during this event, is what Greg Waller, the
service coordination hydrologists at the National Weather Service West Gulf
River Forecast Center said. As well, the Austin, San Antonio
and San Angelo offices had also beefed up their staffing
(06:48):
prior to the storm. Some of the areas hit by
the flash floods, like the grounds occupied by Camp Mystic
and Kerr County, may have been impacted by spotty cell service.
Is unclear if everyone who needed to evacuate actually received
the alerts on their phone that went out, while are
added in a statement to the Texas Tribune, we had
adequate staffing, we had adequate technology.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
This was us doing our jobs the best of our ability. Now.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
They also reported that the National Weather Service forecast quote
did not definitively state the record breaking rains that were
going to fall that night. That is what a former
agency official told the outlet. That the forecast was abou
as good as could be reasonably expected based on the
math that they had on hand. Bottom line, we all
need to work towards an improved alert system, the former
(07:38):
official added. It's pretty hard to forecast these kinds of
rainfall rates. Is what a former National Weather Service director
told The New York Times and the Kirk County Judge
Rob Kelly, whose own property was among those damage, said quote,
we know that we get these rains, we know the
river rises, but nobody saw this coming. Kelly, the county's
(08:00):
pective official, added that a flood warning siren system was
in consideration to be placed along the now devastated Guadalupe
River before he was in office about six years ago,
but unfortunately it was never executed.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
We've looked into it before.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
The public reeled at the cost, the judge told the
Associated Press, especially for a small community. So at the
end of the day, there are two narratives. There's a
narrative that they want to tell you on TV MSNBC
putting it this way, saying, quote, the White House is
taking a really defensive posture on the idea that Trump
did anything to hurt the people of Texas. Well, he
(08:37):
didn't hurt the people of Texas, and he didn't have
people that weren't on the job. And unfortunately, instead of
talking about the victims and the tragedy, the White House
had to go and set the record straight. And the
White House Practice Secretary put it perfectly when she said this.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
I want to start by addressing the devastation from the
tragic flash floods in Texas. Moments ago, the Department of
Homeland Security for update that ninety one innocent souls have
now perished. Everyone here at the White House, including the
President of the United States, is praying for the victims, families,
and friends during this unimaginable time. President Trump swiftly signed
(09:14):
a major Disaster Declaration for Care County, Texas to ensure
our heroic first responders have every resource they need in
the relief and recovery efforts. Secretary of Homeland Security Christinome
traveled to Texas over the weekend, and the entire Trump
administration is working hand in glove with state and local
(09:34):
officials to provide every assistance available. The situation on the
ground remains dangerous and there could be additional public safety
threats with potential incoming heavy rain. So we encourage everyone
in the area to remain vigilant, listen to all warnings,
and respond accordingly. Unfortunately, in the wake of this once
in a generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods
(09:57):
pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some
members of the media. Blaming President Trump for these floods
is a depraved lie and it serves no purpose during
this time of national mourning. Here are the facts. In
the lead up to this tragic natural disaster, the National
Weather Service did its job. Despite unprecedented rainfall. The National
(10:19):
Weather Service executed timely in precise forecasts and warnings. On
July third, the National Weather Service Office in Austin, San Antonio,
Texas conducted forecast briefings for emergency management in the morning
and issued a floodwatch in the early afternoon. Flash flood
warnings were also issued on the night of July third
(10:40):
and in the early morning of July fourth, giving preliminary
lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding
conditions occurred. In the National Weather Service Office in New Brunfels,
which delivers forecasts for Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas,
had extra staff on duty during the storms, despite claims
of the contrary. So to any person who has deliberately
(11:02):
lied about these facts surrounding this catastrophic event, you should
be deeply ashamed. At this time, the administration's focus will
be giving on giving the victims in their communities the
support they deserve during these recovery efforts in this tragic time.
May God bless the great people of Texas, especially the
parents who have lost their children. President Trump loves you,
(11:25):
we are praying for you, and he will be traveling
to see you later this week.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
One thing that is for sure, President United States of
America will go visit the people in Texas and give
them the support, the comfort, and a government response that
they deserve, regardless of how cynical and how sick the
left and the media has become to lie using the
death of children to try to score political points.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Thank you for listening to the forty seven Morning Update
with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever
you're listening to this podcast right now and for more
in depth news also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson podcast,
and we will see you back here tomorrow
But I agree, when you're talking about twenty six feet
of water in forty five minutes, there is simply no way.
Speaker 2 (00:07):
To prepare for that. It is a tragedy.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
In those politicizing it ought to be ashamed of themselves
and Joe again, we cannot tame Mother Nature at all.
This is a forty seven Morning Update special edition with
Ben ferguson.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Good Tuesday morning. It is nice to have you with
us on the forty seven Morning Update. Is it is
a tough morning, a sad morning, as we look at
the horrific flooding and the loss of life in Texas.
I'm going to give you personal details of what has
happened and give you the full story of exactly what
the left is now trying to do and use this
(00:40):
tragedy to push their own climate agenda and also blaming
Donald Trump. Will give you the details on that in
the moment. It's the forty seven Morning Update and it
starts right now.
Speaker 3 (00:51):
Story number one.
Speaker 1 (00:52):
I want to first start by saying that this is
a very tough show to do this morning.
Speaker 2 (00:58):
I know people that have lost loved ones.
Speaker 1 (01:02):
I know people that are going to funerals over the
next couple days who lost their children at camp right
there on the Guadawaalupe River where the flooding happened. I
know this area because it is where my family goes
to spend time throughout the year, right there in Kerrville.
(01:23):
It is an area that I know incredibly well, as
I've spent days and days there with my family. The
thought of having to deal with the flooding and the
way that it happened there, I want you to understand,
no one could prepare for what I would describe as
a once in a lifetime, one hundred year flood. There
are many in the left and in the media that
(01:44):
are trying to politicize this to attack Donald Trump and
say that the National Weather Service had cuts and staff
and that's the reason why people died. There are others
that's saying the disaster response was all Donald Trump's fault
because of cut Both of these are absolute lies. You
also need to understand in Kerrville, in this area where
(02:07):
the flooding happened and the loss of life happened, this
is an area that when it rains, the water is
not really absorbed into the ground like in most parts
of the country. If it rains at my house, significantly.
The water goes into the ground, but there is so
much rock and Curveville in that area that you get
these flash floods because the water builds up instantly and
(02:28):
starts to flood the area. It's also an area where
they don't actually receive that much rain. They can go
hundreds of days without seeing rain. This is an area
that is rural. It is a town that is so kind.
It is a group of people that are incredibly welcoming.
(02:49):
And you may not realize, but Curveville was the same
place where this strategy took happened, that was considered one
of the best places to see the total eclipse. Just
a little over a year ago, more than a million
people went to the hill country, Kerrville being the epicenter
of the blackout. That's where I was when the blackout happened,
and it was truly incredible to see the people there
(03:12):
were so welcoming, to people that drove in and flew
in from all over the country. But to watch and
to witness what has happened since then by the left
is truly just disgusting. I want to go through some
of the lies for you so that you understand exactly
what the truth is. For example, the left is saying
that the National Weather Service didn't have the staffing that
(03:33):
needed because it had been cut by Donald Trump.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
That is a lie, and.
Speaker 1 (03:38):
I hope you'll take this show and share it everywhere
that you can. We now know that meteorologists had argued
that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration known as NOAA
and the National Weather Service did their jobs well during
the devastating Texas flash floods. In fact, they even had
quote unquote extra staff on hand for the storm, despite Democrats'
(04:03):
claims that the Trump administration cut the agencies, contributing to
the loss of life over the holiday weekend. They were
trying to score political points, trying to go after Donald
Trump and conservatives. Even establishment media outlets ran with this lie.
The Associated Press reported on the weather community's pushback on
(04:25):
the narrative, while the Democratic National Committee actually sent out
memos arguing that the Trump administration quote refused to backfill
key roles, likely contributing to preventable deaths and worsened devastation.
Speaker 2 (04:40):
All of it a lie.
Speaker 1 (04:41):
The Associated Press, for example, cited the NWS meteorologists Jason Runyon,
who said the agency's office in New Bronzevills that serves Austin,
Santoni and the surrounding areas in fact had more people
on duty than normal just before the flash floods occurred
before sunrise on front, saying this, there were extra people
(05:03):
in here that night, and that's typical in every Weather
Service office. You staff up for an event and bring
people in on overtime and you hold people over, explaining
that the office head up to five people on staff
when they would typically have two. Not only did the
National Weather Service also issue a series of flash flood
(05:23):
warnings in the early hours Friday, before issuing flash flood
emergencies a rare alert notifying of immediate danger, this according
to the AP, but they also put out the initial
floodwatch at one eighteen pm the day before, yet again
showing how much the left is willing to lie and
(05:43):
no matter who's affected, including children that are dying, just
to score political points. What you also need to know
is the notices grew increasingly in the early morning hours
of Friday, culminating in a four h three am warning
for the potential of catastrophic damage and a severe threat
to human life.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Again, another warning going out.
Speaker 1 (06:05):
Notice an outlet that the characterized the National Weather Service
staffing cuts as quote unquote aggressive moves by the Trump administration.
EVE report that the agency quote did have ex ra
staff on hand for the storm. Yet again, more lies
by the left. At the River Forecast Center, we usually
close overnight unless there is a flood threat. We identified
(06:28):
the threat and we increased overnight coverage, and we're staffed
twenty four during this event, is what Greg Waller, the
service coordination hydrologists at the National Weather Service West Gulf
River Forecast Center said. As well, the Austin, San Antonio
and San Angelo offices had also beefed up their staffing
(06:48):
prior to the storm. Some of the areas hit by
the flash floods, like the grounds occupied by Camp Mystic
and Kerr County, may have been impacted by spotty cell service.
Is unclear if everyone who needed to evacuate actually received
the alerts on their phone that went out, while are
added in a statement to the Texas Tribune, we had
adequate staffing, we had adequate technology.
Speaker 2 (07:11):
This was us doing our jobs the best of our ability. Now.
Speaker 1 (07:15):
They also reported that the National Weather Service forecast quote
did not definitively state the record breaking rains that were
going to fall that night. That is what a former
agency official told the outlet. That the forecast was abou
as good as could be reasonably expected based on the
math that they had on hand. Bottom line, we all
need to work towards an improved alert system, the former
(07:38):
official added. It's pretty hard to forecast these kinds of
rainfall rates. Is what a former National Weather Service director
told The New York Times and the Kirk County Judge
Rob Kelly, whose own property was among those damage, said quote,
we know that we get these rains, we know the
river rises, but nobody saw this coming. Kelly, the county's
(08:00):
pective official, added that a flood warning siren system was
in consideration to be placed along the now devastated Guadalupe
River before he was in office about six years ago,
but unfortunately it was never executed.
Speaker 2 (08:13):
We've looked into it before.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
The public reeled at the cost, the judge told the
Associated Press, especially for a small community. So at the
end of the day, there are two narratives. There's a
narrative that they want to tell you on TV MSNBC
putting it this way, saying, quote, the White House is
taking a really defensive posture on the idea that Trump
did anything to hurt the people of Texas. Well, he
(08:37):
didn't hurt the people of Texas, and he didn't have
people that weren't on the job. And unfortunately, instead of
talking about the victims and the tragedy, the White House
had to go and set the record straight. And the
White House Practice Secretary put it perfectly when she said this.
Speaker 4 (08:51):
I want to start by addressing the devastation from the
tragic flash floods in Texas. Moments ago, the Department of
Homeland Security for update that ninety one innocent souls have
now perished. Everyone here at the White House, including the
President of the United States, is praying for the victims, families,
and friends during this unimaginable time. President Trump swiftly signed
(09:14):
a major Disaster Declaration for Care County, Texas to ensure
our heroic first responders have every resource they need in
the relief and recovery efforts. Secretary of Homeland Security Christinome
traveled to Texas over the weekend, and the entire Trump
administration is working hand in glove with state and local
(09:34):
officials to provide every assistance available. The situation on the
ground remains dangerous and there could be additional public safety
threats with potential incoming heavy rain. So we encourage everyone
in the area to remain vigilant, listen to all warnings,
and respond accordingly. Unfortunately, in the wake of this once
in a generation natural disaster, we have seen many falsehoods
(09:57):
pushed by Democrats such as Senator Chuck Schumer and some
members of the media. Blaming President Trump for these floods
is a depraved lie and it serves no purpose during
this time of national mourning. Here are the facts. In
the lead up to this tragic natural disaster, the National
Weather Service did its job. Despite unprecedented rainfall. The National
(10:19):
Weather Service executed timely in precise forecasts and warnings. On
July third, the National Weather Service Office in Austin, San Antonio,
Texas conducted forecast briefings for emergency management in the morning
and issued a floodwatch in the early afternoon. Flash flood
warnings were also issued on the night of July third
(10:40):
and in the early morning of July fourth, giving preliminary
lead times of more than three hours before flash flooding
conditions occurred. In the National Weather Service Office in New Brunfels,
which delivers forecasts for Austin, San Antonio and the surrounding areas,
had extra staff on duty during the storms, despite claims
of the contrary. So to any person who has deliberately
(11:02):
lied about these facts surrounding this catastrophic event, you should
be deeply ashamed. At this time, the administration's focus will
be giving on giving the victims in their communities the
support they deserve during these recovery efforts in this tragic time.
May God bless the great people of Texas, especially the
parents who have lost their children. President Trump loves you,
(11:25):
we are praying for you, and he will be traveling
to see you later this week.
Speaker 1 (11:29):
One thing that is for sure, President United States of
America will go visit the people in Texas and give
them the support, the comfort, and a government response that
they deserve, regardless of how cynical and how sick the
left and the media has become to lie using the
death of children to try to score political points.
Speaker 3 (11:49):
Thank you for listening to the forty seven Morning Update
with Ben Ferguson. Please make sure you hit subscribe wherever
you're listening to this podcast right now and for more
in depth news also subscribe to the Ben Ferguson podcast,
and we will see you back here tomorrow
Host
Ben Ferguson
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