Experts said the NWS did a good job warning about the flooding, but questions remain about whether the cuts played a role.

At least 82 people have died and dozens are still unaccounted for after flash flooding in central Texas over the weekend, when the Guadalupe River rose about 26 feet in less than an hour on Friday amid torrential downpours.

"A lot of the weather forecast offices now are not operating at full complement of staff," said the former lead of NOAA.

The National Weather Service extended a flood watch July 7 through 7 p.m. local time for much of central Texas.

Homes and infrastructure were washed away after heavy rain brought flash flooding to Kerr County, Texas on July 4.