Dozens of active duty and former Navy SEALs are assisting search and recovery efforts in Texas Hill County in the wake of the deadly flooding last week. ABC News embedded with the volunteers in an exclusive report.

More than 30 SEALs are lending their expertise in navigating difficult terrain and diving in the Guadalupe River as miles of destruction and debris line the area.

"You saw the violence of this thing," said former Navy SEAL Greg Froelick. "So, you kind of have to put that in the back of your head, like expect to potentially find the victim. But ... I think finding one, it's reassuring in the sense that now the family knows, at least they have a little bit of closure."

Froelick showed the area they first searched outside Camp Mystic, explaining their crew was using chainsaws to cut through the dense forest of flattened trees. Unfortunately, they did recover several victims.

"None of us have seen anything like this," said Froelick. "I think everyone was just taking it in and just realizing what just happened here."

The statewide death toll has climbed to 129, with 166 people still considered missing, officials said.

President Donald Trump was asked by a reporter about those who say the warning alerts didn't go out in time and that more people could have been saved.

"I think everyone did an incredible job under the circumstances," Trump responded.

"Only a very evil person would ask a question like that. I think this has been heroism. This has been incredible. Really, the job you've all done. It's easy to sit back and say, 'Oh, what could have happened here or there?' ... I've never seen anything like this," he said.

Later, when asked about the future of the alert system, Trump emphasized the state's response over that of the federal government.

"I know the governor, and everybody is working on it, they’re meeting. And they'll figure something out," he said.

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler

After meeting with families affected by the devastating floods, first lady Melania Trump said, "My deepest sympathy to all of the parents who lost beautiful young souls."

"Deepest sympathy from all of us to the community and everyone who lost a loved one. We are grieving with you," she said.

The first lady said they hugged and held hands with families as they told their stories, and she pointed to a bracelet she said she received from young girls in honor of the lives lost at their camp.

"So we are here to honor them, also to give the support, help. And I will be back, I promised to them," she said.

-ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler