‘Ludicrous’: New report on Kristi Noem’s 3-day delay of Texas flood rescue

Disaster Response & FEMA - The report highlights a delayed federal response to a tragic flooding event, with at least 121 confirmed dead and 166 still missing [1] - The report alleges that Secretary of Homeland Security Christy Gnome delayed the federal response to the flooding for more than 3 days [2] - A new policy requiring the Secretary's direct approval of any DHS contract worth more than $100,000 is criticized for creating a bottleneck in disaster relief efforts [5][6][7] - FEMA sources indicate that Secretary Gnome did not approve the deployment of urban search and rescue teams to Texas until more than 3 days after the flood [8] - A $3 million grant dedicated to creating a state-of-the-art system for warning local communities about extreme weather was canceled [12] - Concerns are raised about the potential dismantling of FEMA and the federal government's role in disaster response [16] Leadership & Governance - Secretary Gnome is accused of prioritizing social media engagement over her responsibilities as a cabinet official [3][4][8][9] - The report questions Secretary Gnome's qualifications and actions, suggesting incompetence and a focus on "performative governance" [17] - The acting FEMA administrator is criticized for a lack of experience in emergency management and absence during the disaster [19][20] - A Senator's letter to Secretary Gnome demands the release of her plan for the current hurricane season, expressing concerns about the impact of the $100,000 approval policy [15][22]