President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump paid a visit to flood-ravaged central Texas Wednesday, where 120 people died and 161 remain missing.
According to the BBC, during a roundtable, Trump stated that he had never seen such damage and described the Guadalupe River as a “monster”.
Their visit occurred as doubts arose over the authorities’ response and the warnings citizens received.
Last weekend, devastating storms ripped over central Texas, dumping several months’ worth of rain in just a few hours. River levels increased, engulfing homes, roads, and vehicles.
First Lady Melania Trump joined the president in expressing her sorrow.
“My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful young souls,” she said, “We are grieving with you. Our nation is grieving with you.”
She stated that she just met families of the victims, and they hugged and prayed together.
She said one of the family members gave her a bracelet from Camp Mystic, which she showed to the camera.
“I will be back, I promised them,” she said.
The death toll from the flash floods in central Texas rose to more than 160 people, with 121 still missing.
Search and rescue teams are wading through mud-filled riverbanks as further rain and thunderstorms threaten the region, but hope for finding any more survivors is waning.