President Donald Trump on Friday toured the devastation from catastrophic flooding in Texas and lauded state and local officials, even amid mounting criticism that they may have failed to warn residents quickly enough that a deadly wall of water was coming their way.

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.

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Maria Alejandra Cardona KERRVILLE, Texas (Reuters) -President Donald Trump arrived in Texas on Friday to survey the damage caused by flash flooding and to meet with local officials,