Texas Gov. Abbott facing criticism being out of country when Hurricane Beryl hit state

Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott is facing backlash for being in Asia when Hurricane Beryl struck his state state Monday and remain on his trip through this weekend, as millions of residents remain Wednesday without power and the death toll reaches eight. 

According to local news reports, Abbott's week-long trip is for economic development meetings in Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. He is expected to return from the trip on July 13.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is in charge of the state's hurricane response with Abbott is one his pre-scheduled trip.

The most high-profile criticism has come from the Biden White House, which says Texas is receiving federal aid in response to the Hurricane later than needed because state leaders were slow to request an official disaster declaration, President Joe Biden told the Houston Chronicle on Tuesday.

A White House spokesperson told the Chronicle that officials had tried multiple times to reach Abbott and Patrick, and Biden said he only connected with Patrick on Tuesday, after which he issued the disaster declaration. Beryl came ashore on Texas' Gulf Coast early Monday morning, bringing heavy rain and winds that wreaked havoc over Houston and other parts of southeast Texas.

Abbott said in a post on X on Sunday: "I remain in daily contact with Texas Division of Emergency Management & local officials to ensure preparation for Hurricane Beryl."

In addition, in a statement provided to The Texas Newsroom, an Abbott spokesman said federal agencies had been working with state officials ahead of the storm and that all necessary disaster declarations were in place well in advance.