Overview

• An internal FEMA report reveals the agency is unprepared for the upcoming hurricane season, citing the lack of a formal response plan and resource shortages.
• Roughly 30% of FEMA's permanent staff have departed due to budget cuts, eroding institutional knowledge and key disaster-response capabilities.
• David Richardson was recently appointed as FEMA's acting head after Cameron Hamilton was ousted for opposing the agency's potential dismantling.
• FEMA officials report widespread uncertainty about the agency's mission and decision-making process, further undermining preparedness efforts.
• Lawmakers, including Sen. Ed Markey, have condemned the Trump administration's actions, warning they jeopardize national disaster-response capacity.