Just weeks away from the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, the new acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) said the agency is “not ready” to deal with the upcoming hurricane season, which forecasters predict is likely to see an above-average 17 named storms. David Richardson, who recently took over as head of the agency, made the admission during a presentation of an internal review at a recent employee town hall.
What did FEMA’s head say?
The presentation created by Richardson was first obtained by CNN, then by CBS. Both outlets reported on the series of slides dated May 12. Richardson’s slides also suggest FEMA should move away from shouldering the brunt of disasters and instead shift responsibility to the states. He notes large states like Texas and California are, in his assessment, capable of handling their natural disasters.
Richardson also believes that the agency should no longer take the majority of the responsibility for disasters, advocating for switching from a 75/25 model for federal and state disaster relief to a 50/50 ratio.
CBS News reported one slide reads, “As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood, thus FEMA is not ready.”
The news outlet also reported that another slide reads, “It has not been normal hurricane season preparedness yet.”
What’s hurting the agency’s readiness?
In the presentation, Richardson blames the shift in priorities and preparedness on what appears to be recent cuts to FEMA workforce and contractual issues. The agency, which employs more than 20,000 staff members, has lost around 30% of its full-time workers to layoffs and buyouts under the Trump administration, according to CNN.
One operational leader who was not identified by CNN warned that the result will either be the complete absence of a federal response to natural disasters such as hurricanes or an inadequate one. The findings in the internal review are the most in-depth look inside FEMA’s ability to potentially respond to pending natural disasters disclosed to the public to date.
How are those within the Trump administration responding?
An official with the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, criticized the internal review’s media coverage in a statement to CBS News. They called the reports on the presentation “grossly out of context” and contend the disaster relief agency is “fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.”
The DHS official also said the documents were “one line in a nineteen-page slide deck and the unsubstantiated opinion of one official inside the agency.”
How did Richardson respond?
Richardson also refuted that the agency was unprepared. The Associated Press reported Richardson said that FEMA is “to some degree, to a great degree, ready for disaster season ’25,” and that he will be turning in a plan for the disaster relief agency to DHS Secretary Kristi Noem by next Friday.
The official start to hurricane season is on June 1. Richardson reportedly did not disclose whether the agency was ready or not during the 30-minute town hall meeting.
According to CBS reports, the presentation also included challenges in working with other federal agencies as many are impacted by cuts to staff, “cultural issues” and trouble coordinating with each other federal entities.
What are the Trump administration’s plans with the agency?
FEMA has undergone notable changes over the past few months. President Donald Trump criticized the agency’s handling of past natural disasters. Additionally, some within his administration floated the idea of dismantling FEMA altogether.
The most recent change occurred when the Trump administration fired the former acting head of FEMA, Cameron Hamilton, after he told Congress he doesn’t think eliminating the agency is a good idea.
Richardson, however, said his predecessor got too opinionated and promised his sole duty is to achieve “the president’s intent.” Richardson also said he wants to find avenues to “push things down to the states” and “do more cost-sharing with the states.”
