New FEMA chief says states must take the lead on disaster recovery this hurricane season
The Federal Emergency Management Agency will shift more responsibility for disaster response and recovery to states ahead of the 2025 hurricane season, according to its acting chief.
Gabriela Aoun Angueira reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson told staff the agency will prioritize state-led disaster response, with the federal government stepping in “when deemed necessary.”
- President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have signaled interest in scaling back or eliminating FEMA entirely, with Richardson ordered to align the agency with this vision.
- States like Texas and Florida are seen as ready to handle more disaster responsibilities, while others may lose the typical 75% federal cost-share for recovery, forcing them to rely more heavily on state funds.
Key quote:
“It’s unclear what they mean when they say returning primacy to the states. What does that mean when certain states don’t have the resources in their own budgets to respond to and recover from catastrophic events?”
— Jeremy Edwards, FEMA deputy director of public affairs during the Biden administration
Why this matters:
As climate-fueled disasters increase in size and frequency, FEMA’s decision to reduce its role could leave many states unprepared and underfunded during emergencies. In 2024, the U.S. saw 90 major disaster declarations and 27 billion-dollar climate disasters. If states must now finance more of their disaster recovery alone, disparities in outcomes may widen. Critics argue this shift could result in a patchwork of responses across the country, with some regions better protected than others. With hurricane season just weeks away, the consequences of this policy change could become evident very soon.
