"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff," said the former lead of NOAA.

Top Democratic lawmakers are formally demanding answers from the Trump administration about the impact of budget cuts and DHS policies on the government's ability to respond to the devastating Texas floods.

U.S. President Donald Trump is heading to central Texas on Friday to survey damage from the July 4 flash flood that killed at least 120 people and left dozens more missing. His visit comes amid intense focus on the government response a week after the storm and as thousands of first responders comb through muddy debris,

The loss of more than 100 lives, many of them children, to Hill Country floods over the July Fourth weekend has shaken Texans to the core. Closer to home, at least 16 people have died in floods in the Austin area .More than 170 people are still reported missing.

In the wake of the deadly flash floods in Texas, state leaders are exploring whether to install more flood warning sirens. Such sirens can save lives if they're part of a larger warning system.