• At least 69 people are dead after catastrophic flooding hit central Texas.
• Local authorities said personal drones are interfering with search and rescue efforts.
• Consumer drones also disrupted emergency operations in other disasters, like the 2025 LA wildfires.

Search and rescue operations continue in central Texas, where catastrophic flooding has killed at least 69 people. Dozens are still missing.

During a Sunday press conference, after the usual updates, officials made what has become a familiar request during recent natural disasters: Don't fly your personal drones over the disaster area.

"We know that people want to volunteer, but what we are starting to see is personal drones flying," Kerrville City Manager Dalton Rice told reporters. "These personal drones flying is a danger to aircraft, which then risks further operations."

The Kerrville Police Department echoed Rice's remarks on Sunday.

"Media-operated drones are interfering with official search and rescue drones. There is a no-fly zone in Kerr County for private drones," the department said on its Facebook page. "We need cooperation in this matter. Let our first responders do their job."

During a press conference hosted by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday, Maj. Gen. Thomas M. Suelzer of the Texas National Guard said the department had launched an MQ-9 Reaper — a remotely-piloted aircraft — to perform assessment operations.

"It's truly an eye in the sky for our search and rescue people," Suelzer said.

Although drones are now commonly used in military and law enforcement operations, they are also popular among civilians, mostly for photography and shooting video, but also for those looking to help search after disasters. During several recent disasters, however, officials say those civilian drone operators have hindered rescue operations.

The Dixie Fire

In 2021, the Dixie Fire spread across northern California. The flames ripped through communities, displacing residents and burning nearly a million acres of land.

That July, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said an unauthorized drone had impeded emergency operations.

"Yesterday, aircraft assigned to the #DixieFire were forced to land due to an unauthorized drone flying over the fire traffic area," the agency said on its official Facebook page. "Drones restrict firefighters' ability to protect lives, property, and natural resources. Remember, if you fly, we can't!"

Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene battered the southeast United States in late 2024.

After making landfall in Florida, it traveled up the coast through Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and flooding demolished homes and submerged vehicles.

Amid the search and rescue efforts, the US Department of Transportation shared an X post asking consumer drone operators to stay clear. At the time, the Federal Aviation Administration had issued a temporary flight restriction in certain areas.

"Do not fly your drone near or around rescue and recovery efforts for Hurricane Helene," the agency said. "Interfering with emergency response operations impacts search and rescue operations on the ground."

The FAADroneZone, the agency's site for drone services, said in a separate X post that "interfering with emergency response efforts may result in fines or criminal prosecution."

At the time, some online users thought volunteer drone operators were being banned from assisting in relief efforts, which sparked a backlash.

The DOT later clarified that the FAA didn't ban consumer drones from providing assistance and relief.

"These restrictions occur at the request of local authorities or law enforcement. FAA does not put these into place without requests," a spokesperson told Fox News.

The agency added that "anyone looking to use a drone or other aircraft to assist in Hurricane Helene disaster relief and recovery efforts should coordinate with first responders and law enforcement on scene to ensure they do not disrupt life-saving operations."

Los Angeles wildfires

In January, a series of wildfires erupted across the Los Angeles region, causing widespread damage and forcing hundreds of thousands to evacuate their homes.

In addition to emergency firefighting efforts on the ground, officials deployed two Super Scoopers, which are amphibious aircraft that collect water to drop it on wildfires.

However, an unauthorized civilian drone struck one Super Scooper, forcing it out of service.

"We would like to remind everyone that flying a drone in the midst of firefighting efforts is a federal crime and punishable by up to 12 months in prison or a fine of up to $75,000," a LA Fire Department spokesperson said at the time.

The incident prompted an investigation by the FAA, which said in a statement that "flying a drone near a wildfire is dangerous and can cost lives."

The Department of Justice said the drone operator agreed to plead guilty to one count of unsafe operation of an uncrewed aircraft. The plea agreement included the drone operator paying full restitution to the Government of Quebec, which supplied the aircraft, and completing 150 hours of community service.

President Trump wants to reach an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their meeting on Monday on terms for ending the war in Gaza, two U.S. officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: Trump is trying to seize the momentum from the Israel–Iran ceasefire to secure a breakthrough in Gaza this week. After four months of failed talks, there has been fresh momentum in recent days towards a ceasefire deal.

Breaking it down: The deal on the table is a 60-day truce involving the release of 10 live Israeli hostages and 18 deceased hostages. Trump hopes it will be a step toward a bigger peace agreement, though Netanyahu has thus far been unwilling to sign any deal to end the war.

• Negotiators from Israel and Hamas, together with Qatari and Egyptian mediators, met Sunday in Doha to try and reach an agreement on the last sticking points in the ceasefire and hostage talks.
• Netanyahu said before departing Israel that his meeting with Trump could help get a deal across the line.
• Trump told reporters on Sunday that he thinks a deal could be reached this week.

Friction point: If a temporary ceasefire is reached, the post-war situation in Gaza will become the central topic in negotiations during the 60-day truce.

• The U.S. side wants to reach understandings with the Israelis about who will govern Gaza without Hamas, and what security guarantees will prevent the group's return.

Driving the news: Trump and Netanyahu are expected to meet for dinner at the White House on Monday evening.

• U.S. officials told Axios the "day after" issue will be a central topic in the meeting.
• Initial discussions on this issue were held last week at the White House between Netanyahu's confidant Ron Dermer and White House envoy Steve Witkoff.
• A U.S. official said Trump wants to hear Netanyahu's views on the post-war situation and reach a mutual understanding.
• "We want to get an agreement on what comes next. At least a framework on the day after," the U.S. official said.

The other side: Israel has softened its position on the need to send senior Hamas officials into exile as part of a deal to end the war and is now willing to settle for the symbolic expulsion of a few top military commanders.

• "There aren't many senior Hamas officials left in Gaza. We are not going to need a big ship to send them to exile — even a small dinghy will do," an Israeli official said.
• The Israeli official added that Israel demands the dismantling of Hamas' military wing but is willing to consider granting amnesty for hundreds of militants if they lay down their arms.

The big picture: The big political "hot potato" is the question of who will govern a post-war Gaza.

• Both Israel and the Trump administration want to avoid a Hezbollah-like model in Gaza, where Hamas stays as an armed militia even if only underground, while a civilian government runs the enclave.
• "We are determined to ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. It means one thing: the elimination of Hamas' military and governing capabilities. Hamas will not be there," Netanyahu said on Sunday before leaving Israel.

Zoom in: Netanyahu opposes Hamas having any part in governing a post-war Gaza, but also opposes any involvement of the Palestinian Authority in managing the enclave after the war ends.

• Netanyahu wants Arab countries to control Gaza and provide security together with local Palestinian figures who are not affiliated with Hamas or the Palestinian Authority.
• Egypt, Jordan, the UAE and Saudi Arabia oppose this and demand some role for the Palestinian Authority and a clear political horizon for the Palestinians in order to get involved in a post-war plan.
• Countries in Europe and the Arab world are pushing for the day-after plan for Gaza to be part of a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians, but Netanyahu and his government adamantly reject that.