In the wake of catastrophic flooding in Central Texas that left more than 125 people dead and dozens missing, federal and state officials have warned residents and donors about a surge in disaster-related scams designed to exploit vulnerable families and charitable givers.

Cuts made to the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Trump administration severely impaired its ability to respond to the devastating floods in central Texas.

The homeland security secretary said a report that thousands of calls to a disaster hotline went unanswered because of staffing cuts was “false.”