Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the Trump administration is accelerating plans to replace what she called an “ancient” National Weather Service alert system after flash floods in Texas left at least 43 people dead. Speaking alongside Governor Greg Abbott, Noem acknowledged complaints that residents received only limited notice—an initial “moderate” flood warning was issued at 1:18 p.m. on July 3, hours before waters surged—but argued the agency “gave as much time as they could with the tools they have.” Noem said President Donald Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to modernize forecasting and cellphone-alert technology that “has been neglected for years.” She added that FEMA, the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection have deployed personnel and equipment to support state-led rescue operations, while the Federal Emergency Management Agency operates at an enhanced level to help relocate survivors and restore utilities. The administration’s pledge to invest in new systems drew skepticism from some critics, who noted that federal budget documents in April showed a 30 percent, or roughly $1.5 billion, reduction in National Weather Service funding and a 17 percent staffing cut. The National Weather Service Employees Organization said local offices were fully manned and issued timely forecasts, underscoring a broader debate over whether funding or technology shortfalls hampered the warning process.