Multiple urban search and rescue teams from across the country that responded to the deadly floods in central Texas told CNN they were not deployed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency until at least Monday evening — days after any victim had been found alive.

The National Weather Service warned that the Guadalupe River could surge to nearly 15 feet—5 feet above flood stage—by Sunday afternoon.

The death toll has now climbed to at least 129, making it America's deadliest rainfall-driven flash flood since 1976.

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.

Two days after deadly Texas floods, the agency struggled to answer calls from survivors because of call center contracts that weren’t extended.