Dr. Phil offers advice following deadly Texas floods: ‘You never get over it, you get through it’

President Trump hosts roundtable in Kerrville, TX

President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump hosted a community roundtable in Kerrville, Texas after traveling to the Hill Country to tour the damage left behind by devastating flooding over the July 4th weekend. At least 120 people were killed in the flooding and more than 170 people are considered missing.

KERR COUNTY, Texas - President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump traveled to Texas on Friday to tour the damage left behind by the devastating flooding over the July 4th weekend.

Following the president and first lady’s tour, a roundtable discussion was held, where Phil McGraw, a TV host and mental health professional known as Dr. Phil, offered advice.

Dr. Phil gives advice following Texas floods

What they're saying:

"We know psychologically that the number one stressor that we can experience in life is the loss of a child," Dr. Phil said. "And the worst situation that we can experience is when it's sudden and when it's violent. That's the worst thing that can happen, stress-wise, in life."

Phil McGraw, Dr. Phil, speaks next to US President Donald Trump during a National Day of Prayer event in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 1, 2025. (Credit: Jim WATSON / AFP via Getty Images)

He continued: "People say, ‘Well, you know, you get over it in time, you will.’ The truth is, you never get over it. You get through it." 

Big picture view:

At least 120 people were killed in the flooding, and across the state, more than 170 people are considered missing.

Fast-rising floodwaters damaged several camps and homes along the Guadalupe River in Kerr County. At least 96 people, including 36 children, were killed and 161 are believed to be missing in Kerr County alone.

What they're saying:

Dr. Phil added, "If you see someone in the store, everybody wonders, you know, do I say something to them? I know they lost a child or a grandchild. Do I bring it up, because they look like they're doing okay? The answer to that question is an unambiguous yes. You don't ever let them think you've moved on from it. It's okay to go and say, ‘Hey, look, I know about the loss. I share that with you, and I love you.' And we won't forget this because these bright lights will go away. Another headline will come along and people move on. Let them know we don't forget. We don't forget the loss. It will never go away. And we remember it."

Trump signs ‘Major Disaster Declaration’ for relief for Kerr County

The backstory:

Earlier this week, Trump signed a "Major Disaster Declaration" for relief for Kerr County.

RELATED: LIVE UPDATES: Pres. Trump, first lady tour Texas flood damage: 'Hard to believe the devastation'

"My administration is doing everything in its power to help Texas," Trump said. "And I can tell you that, and the governor will be the first to tell you that, when the request was made for the emergency funds, Kristi, I think we gave it within about two minutes, maybe less. And they had everything they needed."

President Trump departs for flood-ravaged Texas

President Trump speaks to media before Texas departure. This comes after catastrophic flooding in the area claimed the lives of at least 120 people and dozens still missing.

Before leaving the White House, Trump approved Texas' request to extend the major disaster declaration beyond Kerr County to eight additional counties, making them eligible for direct financial assistance to recover and rebuild.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the Coast Guard and Border Patrol "amazing" resources that responded to the flooding.

"And we've had over 700 different FEMA employees and volunteers here as well that are engaged," Noem said. "And so all of your assets that you have as a federal government are deployed to help this community restore, but also to heal."