Professional crisis communicators watched the news conferences with dismay. Deflecting blame is not helpful if politicians want to build trust with the public, they say.

By Ted Hesson and Nathan Layne WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Sunday defended FEMA's response to deadly floods in Texas last week, saying her agency acted swiftly and that Texas officials had praised the administration's actions.

A public backlash is enveloping Kerr County over the local steps taken after the National Weather Service warned of a potential catastrophe.