President Donald Trump met with victims' families and surveyed the damage of catastrophic floods that struck the state one week ago.

"The first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood," Trump said as he spoke at a roundtable event with first responders and local officials.

The president has defended his administration's response to the fatal flooding amid criticism that federal assistance could have been provided more quickly.

A stretch of chain-link fence along the Guadalupe River in the Texas town of Kerrville has become a focal point for the community's grief.

President Donald Trump travels to Texas on Friday amid growing questions about how local officials responded to the devastating floods, as well as questions about the federal response -- including FEMA's fate -- that he has so far avoided.

Kerr County failed to secure a warning system, even as local officials remained aware of the risks and as billions of dollars were available for similar projects.

President Donald Trump was expected to arrive in Kerr County, Texas, Friday afternoon, one week after the area was struck by catastrophic flooding.