As devastating floods ripped through Kerr County, Texas, late last week, Noem waited four days to sign off on Urban Search and Rescue crews, approve aerial imaging requested by the state, and bring in additional staff for FEMA’s disaster call center, sources told CNN. The disaster killed at least 120 people and left about 160 missing.

DHS head Kristi Noem refuted a CNN report that her requirement for personal sign-off on DHS contracts over $100,000 slowed emergency response to deadly Texas flooding.

Secretary Kristi Noem struck back at CNN on Thursday after it accused her of slowing the process of responding to the Texas flood. CNN reported in its article, “FEMA’s response to Texas slowed by Noem’s cost controls,