“It’s impossible to say what difference one person might have made,” said Tom Fahy, legislative director for the NWS Employees Organization. “But it’s clear these roles exist for a reason.”

The implications became national news after Grok — an AI chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s X platform — responded to a viral question about the floods. When asked whether Trump’s NOAA and NWS cuts contributed to the deaths, the bot simply replied: “Yes.” Grok later added that reductions “delayed warnings and underestimated rainfall by 50%,” and even named DOGE, Musk’s government efficiency project, as part of the cause.

The response went viral — and polarized. Some users were stunned by the directness. Others accused the chatbot of spreading blame without nuance. Musk, for his part, has not commented on the disaster, instead using his platform to promote the launch of his “America Party” and to complain that Grok is “getting too woke.”

Meanwhile, former President Trump has declared a federal disaster for the affected region and promised to visit Kerr County by the end of the week. But for grieving families, many of whom have lost children, frustration is building. The Camp Mystic leadership has called the loss “devastating” and asked for prayers — but others are asking harder questions.

“This wasn’t just a natural disaster,” said one parent. “We were failed — by silence, by unfilled jobs, by choices that saved money and cost lives.”

As the floodwaters recede, the search for answers — and accountability — has only begun.