Introduction to the Crisis

The U.S. South is currently dealing with the aftermath of deadly tornadoes and is preparing for the upcoming hurricane season. In response to this, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will be shifting its recovery responsibility to the states. This decision was made by acting chief David Richardson during a staff town hall on Thursday, May 15, as part of the Trump administration’s plan to alter the agency’s mission.

The Shift in Responsibility

According to Richardson, the agency will "return primacy to the states," which means that states affected by natural disasters will only receive federal assistance when deemed necessary. This change could significantly reduce the amount of aid that states can receive from FEMA. Richardson also warned that the traditional FEMA cost-sharing, which covers 75% of disaster recovery expenses, could be altered by this summer.

Concerns About the Change

Jeremy Edwards, FEMA’s deputy director of public affairs during the Biden administration, expressed concerns about the change, stating that while states typically lead disaster response, they rely on federal resources as needed. Edwards questioned what "returning primacy to the states" means, especially for states that lack the resources to respond to and recover from catastrophic events.

Recent Disasters and Future Threats

The agency’s announcement came just before severe storms hit the south-central U.S., causing multiple tornadoes and resulting in at least 27 deaths. The total cost of damages is estimated to be between $9 billion and $11 billion. The National Weather Service warns that a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms will remain in parts of the Midwest and Southeast, and more tornadoes could form in some areas.

The upcoming Hurricane Season

The 2025 disaster season is expected to be active, with the Atlantic hurricane season officially beginning in two weeks. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) plans to release its hurricane season outlook on Thursday, but experts have already predicted 17 named storms and nine hurricanes, four of which could be major.

Impact of FEMA’s Policy Change

FEMA’s policy change will put increased financial strain on states as they face another active storm season. When asked about the impact on federal relief for states hit by recent tornadoes, an agency spokesperson stated that all operational and readiness requirements will continue to be managed without interruption in close coordination with local and state officials.

Response from Government Officials

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that she spoke with the governors of Missouri, Kentucky, and Illinois to offer federal resources and action for the deadly tornadoes and storms impacting those states. Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth co-chair a FEMA review council established by President Donald Trump to recommend changes to the agency.

Concerns About FEMA’s Preparedness

FEMA has lost about 2,000 full-time employees since Trump took office, according to the Natural Resources Defense Council. Acting chief Richardson said that additional staff cuts could come as more of the agency’s functions are offloaded onto states. Such sweeping changes raise concerns about the agency’s preparedness for the fast-approaching Atlantic hurricane season. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Richardson told staff he would "run right over" anyone who stood in the way of his reforms.