National Security & Defense

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.