By Trevor Hunnicutt and Maria Alejandra CardonaKERRVILLE, Texas (Reuters) -President Donald Trump defended the state and federal response to deadly flash flooding in Texas on Friday as he visited the stricken Hill Country region,

The president has defended his administration's response to the fatal flooding amid criticism that federal assistance could have been provided more quickly.

The president met with state and local officials, who praised the White House response, and lashed out at a question on whether aid and rescue efforts occurred fast enough.

President Donald Trump met with victims' families and surveyed the damage of catastrophic floods that struck the state one week ago.

"The first lady and I are here in Texas to express the love and support and the anguish of our entire nation in the aftermath of this really horrific and deadly flood," Trump said as he spoke at a roundtable event with first responders and local officials.

When a reporter asked PresidentTrump about what his message is to Texas families who have questioned the timeliness of flood alerts, he responded, "Only a bad person would ask a question like that."

Joined by First Lady Melania Trump and officials, Trump surveyed devastation and met with victims' families and emergency responders.

President Donald Trump is visiting Texas for a firsthand look at the devastation caused by a flash flood that has killed at least 120 people in and around Kerr County.

The governor was quick to request federal assistance last week after devastating floods hit the Texas Hill Country.