US President Donald Trump on Tuesday reiterated his intention to wind down the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as soon as the end of hurricane season in late fall.
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The Trump administration will begin dismantling the country’s federal emergency agency at the end of the hurricane season, which scientists have forecast to be “above-normal” this year.
“We’re going to give out less money,” Trump said at the White House, adding that he would like to see the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – an agency within the US Department of Homeland Security – largely dismantled “after the hurricane season” to “bring it down to the state level.”
Speaking next to Trump from the Oval Office, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the move will “empower” state governors to respond to emergency situations. But experts have warned that while large counties and cities may be able to take over some of the agency’s services and responsibilities, small and rural governments lack the personnel and resources to do so.
FEMA’s $28 billion budget last year included some $18 billion in disaster relief to support recovery efforts across the country, $4 billion for a program providing affordable flood insurance to property owners, and more than $3.8 billion in grants and direct payments to help individuals and communities recover from federally declared disasters. The agency also provides training and education to help communities prepare for disasters and funds mitigation and adaptation projects for natural disaster preparedness and resilience.
The agency employed more than 20,000 people before the Trump administration ordered mass layoffs earlier this year.
Cuts and layoffs at other agencies, including at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service (NWS), have diminished forecasters’ abilities to predict disasters and provide accurate advance warning.
In March, the NSW “temporarily suspended” weather balloon observations across six locations. The practice helps gather critical data on temperature, wind speed, humidity and other factors that can influence the formation of powerful storms and tornadoes – data that meteorologists have described as “vital” for national forecasting.
‘Above-Normal’ Hurricane Season
Last year, FEMA spend billions on hurricane response and recovery efforts, including $4.3 billion after Hurricane Helene for debris removal, temporary housing for displaced victims, and money for local governments and households.
Last month, forecasters at NOAA warned that hurricane activity in the Atlantic basin this year will likely be “above normal” with 6 to 10 hurricanes, including 3-5 major hurricanes (category 3 or higher). The hurricane season began on June 1 and it will end on November 30.
Hurricanes – also known as typhoons in the northwestern Pacific and cyclones in the Indian Ocean and South Pacific – are a rather common, natural weather phenomenon, though there has been a significant increase in their intensity in recent decades, which scientific observations link to anthropogenic climate change. These abnormal trends are attributed largely to the increased ocean temperatures.
More on the topic: What Are Tropical Cyclones? Hurricanes and Typhoons, And Their Link to Climate Change, Explained
Tight Budget
FEMA has been stretched to its limits for years, despite the rapidly growing threat of climate change in the US. The agency declared an “immediate needs funding” moratorium halfway through last year’s hurricane season, pausing nearly $9 billion in payouts for relief projects from prior disasters, effectively delaying recovery efforts.
The agency is often target of misinformation and conspiracy theories during extreme weather events. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, FEMA fast-checked and debunked a series of falsities and direct attacks that have been rapidly spreading online, such as that the agency only provides loans to disaster survivors or that it is blockading people in Florida and preventing evacuations.
“It’s creating distrust in the federal government, but also the state government, and we have so many first responders that have been working to go out and help these communities,” Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters at the time.
Featured image: Lieut. Commander Mark Moran, NOAA Corps, NMAO/AOC via Flickr.
💡How to stay safe during a typhoon/hurricane
- 🏠Secure your home: Reinforce doors and windows, clear gutters, trim trees, and secure outdoor furniture.
- 🚪Stay indoors: Stay away from windows and doors, and in a room on the lowest level of your home, as long as it is not prone to flooding.
- 🔌Turn off utilities: If instructed to do so, turn off gas, electricity, and water to prevent accidents.
- 🔦Prepare an emergency kit: Include essentials like water, non-perishable food, flashlight, batteries, first aid supplies, and important documents.
- 🌡️Follow local weather services: Check local meteorological services or news channels regularly, as they provide real-time updates and alerts about heat advisories and warnings. Local governments and emergency management agencies often post timely updates on social media platforms as well so keep them monitored.
- 📱Use weather apps: Download reputable weather apps that provide notifications about extreme heat conditions. Many of these apps allow users to set alerts for specific weather events in their area.
- ❗Sign up for emergency alerts: Many cities have rolled out local emergency notification systems or community alert programs that citizens can easily enroll in. These services often send text or email alerts directly to residents during extreme weather events, including heatwaves.
To learn more about the link between tropical cyclones and climate change, check out this article.
