The catastrophic Central Texas floods have claimed at least 121 lives and left 173 missing, as a report reveals that Kerr County officials were repeatedly denied state funding for an emergency flood warning system.

At least 120 people have been found dead since heavy rainfall overwhelmed the river and flowed through homes and youth camps in the early morning hours of July 4. Ninety-six of those killed were in the hardest-hit county in central Texas, Kerr County, where the toll includes at least 36 children.

State officials said rescue efforts in Central Texas following devastating flooding continue, emphasizing the state's continued commitment to recovery.

In the last nine years, federal funding for a system has been denied to the county as it contends with a tax base hostile to government overspending.

Follow for live updates in the Texas flooding as the death toll rises to 120, as rescue operations start to shift to recovery phase

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discusses President Donald Trump's visit to Texas after catastrophic flooding on 'America's Newsroom.'

Trump visits Texas after deadly flood, avoids talk of FEMA cuts, calls disaster "unbelievable" and pledges support. Follow Newsweek's live blog.

Kerr County officials say they are still focused mainly on the search for survivors with hundreds still missing and weren't yet examining how the emergency response unfolded.