In a remarkable display of personal commitment, Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla, SpaceX, and X Corp, was spotted kayaking through the flood-ravaged streets of Central Texas, delivering supplies and aiding stranded residents in the wake of devastating floods that have claimed at least 90 lives. As he paddled from house to house, Musk reportedly declared, “Texas is my second home, I can’t watch people in danger.” The image of the world’s richest man navigating treacherous waters has captivated the public, casting Musk as both a hero and a polarizing figure amid a crisis that has exposed deep divisions in disaster response.

The Texas Flood Crisis: A Catastrophic Deluge

Central Texas, particularly Kerr County, was struck by catastrophic flooding on July 4, 2025, when torrential rains caused the Guadalupe River to surge 22 feet in just two hours, submerging homes, sweeping away vehicles, and destroying infrastructure. The National Weather Service (NWS) issued a flash flood emergency at 4:03 a.m., warning of an “extremely dangerous and life-threatening situation,” but the rapid rise of waters caught many residents off guard, especially during the predawn hours when most were asleep. At least 75 people perished in Kerr County alone, including 15 children at Camp Mystic, an all-girls summer camp, with 27 others still missing.

The disaster has been compounded by controversy over the NWS’s forecasting capabilities, which were hampered by staffing cuts initiated by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Musk. Critics, including Musk’s own AI tool Grok, have pointed to these cuts—reducing NOAA funding by 30% and staff by 17%—as a factor in delayed alerts that contributed to the high death toll. Grok’s blunt assessment, “Trump’s NOAA cuts impaired flood warnings, contributing to deaths,” sparked a firestorm, with Musk vowing to overhaul the AI’s programming.

Musk’s Hands-On Response

Despite the criticism, Musk’s personal involvement in the Texas flood relief efforts has drawn widespread attention. Based in Austin, where he owns a $35 million compound for his 14 children and their mothers, Musk has deep ties to the state. His companies—Tesla, SpaceX, X Corp, and The Boring Company—are headquartered in Texas, and he has described it as a “Republican stronghold” that aligns with his vision for innovation and growth.

On July 5, as floodwaters inundated neighborhoods along the Guadalupe River, Musk was seen kayaking through submerged streets in Kerrville, delivering food, water, and medical supplies to stranded families. Witnesses described him navigating a sleek, black kayak, accompanied by a small team of SpaceX volunteers equipped with Starlink terminals to restore communication in areas cut off from cell service. “He was out there at dawn, paddling house to house,” said Maria Gonzalez, a Kerrville resident whose family received supplies from Musk. “He didn’t just send help—he came himself.”

Musk’s statement, “Texas is my second home, I can’t watch people in danger,” reportedly came during a brief exchange with a local journalist who spotted him aiding a family trapped on their roof. The quote, shared widely on X, has been praised by supporters as a testament to his commitment but criticized by detractors who see it as a publicity stunt. Regardless, Musk’s actions align with his history of engaging in disaster relief, though not without controversy.

A Mixed Record in Disaster Response

Musk’s companies have played significant roles in past crises. During Hurricane Helene in 2024, SpaceX deployed over 10,000 Starlink terminals to restore internet access in North Carolina, though Musk faced backlash for exaggerating the “free” nature of the service, which required a $400 kit and a $120 monthly subscription after 30 days. The Musk Foundation also donated $2.4 million to SBP for Helene recovery efforts, supporting home rebuilding in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. However, Musk’s spread of misinformation during Helene—claiming FEMA was “actively blocking” aid—drew sharp rebukes from officials, who said his falsehoods discouraged survivors from seeking help.

In Texas, Musk’s Starlink service has again been a lifeline, with terminals deployed to emergency shelters and command centers in Kerr County. Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin provided mobile charging stations for rescue vehicles, and The Boring Company assisted in clearing debris from flooded roads. Yet, Musk’s personal involvement—kayaking to deliver aid—marks a departure from his usual role as a coordinator, reflecting a hands-on approach that has both inspired and polarized observers.

The Controversy: Hero or Opportunist?

Musk’s kayaking efforts have not been universally celebrated. Critics argue that his actions are performative, designed to bolster his image amid ongoing controversies, including his fallout with President Donald Trump over DOGE policies and Tesla’s 30% stock decline since January 2025. On X, some users accused Musk of exploiting the crisis for clout, with one writing, “Paddling a kayak doesn’t erase the fact that his DOGE cuts may have made this worse.” Others, however, hailed him as a hero, with posts like, “Elon’s out there saving lives while politicians bicker. This is leadership.”

Local officials have expressed mixed feelings. Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice acknowledged Musk’s contributions but noted the challenges of coordinating with private entities during a crisis. “His Starlink units are helping, no question,” Rice said. “But we need streamlined federal support, not individual heroics.” Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, defended the state’s response but avoided commenting directly on Musk, focusing instead on the “once-in-a-century” nature of the flood.

Musk’s critics also point to his environmental record. The Boring Company was fined $11,876 in 2024 for water pollution violations near the Colorado River, raising concerns about his companies’ impact on Texas’s natural resources. Environmentalists argue that Musk’s pronatalist rhetoric and resistance to climate policies—aligned with Trump’s deregulation agenda—exacerbate the conditions leading to extreme weather events like the Texas floods.

Musk’s Connection to Texas

Musk’s declaration that “Texas is my second home” resonates with his growing presence in the state. Since moving his business empire from California in 2018, Musk has invested heavily in Texas, from SpaceX’s Starbase in Boca Chica to Tesla’s Gigafactory in Austin. His $6 million mansion in West Lake Hills, part of a larger compound, has become a hub for his family and security operations, though it has sparked disputes with neighbors over traffic and a 16-foot fence.

His personal ties to Texas were evident during the crisis. Musk’s Havanese dog, Marvin the Martian, was spotted with volunteers at a Kerrville shelter, and his Neuralink executive Shivon Zilis, mother of three of his children, was reportedly involved in coordinating aid from Austin. These connections underscore why Musk may have felt compelled to act, but they also highlight the scrutiny he faces as a public figure whose every move is dissected.

The Bigger Picture: Disaster Response in a Divided Era

The Texas floods have exposed broader issues in disaster preparedness and response. The NWS’s staffing shortages, linked to DOGE cuts, have prompted calls for investigations from Democrats like Representative Joaquin Castro, who argue that federal gutting endangered lives. Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz, have acknowledged failures in local alerts but insist the federal government is not to blame, calling the flood a “freak natural calamity.”

Musk’s involvement, while impactful, raises questions about the role of private individuals in filling gaps left by public systems. His Starlink terminals and personal efforts have undoubtedly saved lives, but they cannot replace a robust federal response. FEMA, already stretched thin after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, faces additional pressure from Trump’s reported plans to freeze $10 billion in disaster aid, a move Musk has not publicly opposed.

Looking Ahead

As Texas begins the long road to recovery, Musk’s kayaking odyssey will likely remain a defining image of the crisis. Whether driven by genuine compassion or strategic optics, his actions have highlighted both his influence and the limitations of individual heroism in the face of systemic challenges. The Musk Foundation is reportedly considering additional grants for flood victims, and SpaceX plans to expand Starlink coverage in affected areas.

For the residents of Kerr County, the focus is on rebuilding. “Elon helped us when we needed it most,” said Gonzalez, the Kerrville resident. “But we need more than one man in a kayak—we need a system that works.” As the waters recede, Musk’s words—“Texas is my second home, I can’t watch people in danger”—echo as both a rallying cry and a reminder of the complex legacy he carries, one paddle stroke at a time.