 | |
 | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | April 1, 1979; 46 years ago (1979-04-01)[1] |
| Jurisdiction | United States Department of Homeland Security |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Motto | Helping people before, during, and after disasters[2] |
| Employees | 17,300+ (2025)[3] |
| Annual budget | $33.08 billion (2025)[4] |
| Agency executive |
|
| Parent department | U.S. Department of Homeland Security |
| Website | www |
TheFederal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is an agency of theUnited States Department of Homeland Security (DHS), initially created under PresidentJimmy Carter by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 and implemented by twoExecutive Orders on April 1, 1979. The agency's primary purpose is to coordinate the response to a disaster that has occurred in the United States and that overwhelms the resources of local andstate authorities. The governor of the state in which the disaster occurs must declare astate of emergency and formally request from thepresident that FEMA and thefederal government respond to the disaster. The only exception to the state's gubernatorial declaration requirement occurs when anemergency ordisaster takes place on federal property or to a federal asset—for example, the 1995bombing of theAlfred P. Murrah Federal Building inOklahoma City, Oklahoma, or theSpace ShuttleColumbia in the 2003return-flight disaster.
While on-the-ground support of disaster recovery efforts is a major part of FEMA's charter, the agency provides state and local governments with experts in specialized fields, funding for rebuilding efforts, and relief funds for infrastructure development by directing individuals to access low-interest loans, in conjunction with theSmall Business Administration. In addition to this, FEMA provides funds for response personnel training throughout the United States and funds for non-federal entities to provide housing and services for migrants released from Department of Homeland Security custody.
Federalemergency management in the U.S. has existed in one form or another for over 200 years.[5]
A series of devastating fires struck the port city ofPortsmouth, New Hampshire, early in the 19th century. The7th U.S. Congress passed a measure in 1803 that provided relief for Portsmouth merchants by extending the time they had for remittingtariffs on imported goods. This is widely considered the first piece of legislation passed by the federal government that provided relief after a disaster.[6]
Between 1803 and 1930,ad hoc legislation was passed more than 100 times for relief or compensation after a disaster. Examples include the waiving of duties and tariffs to the merchants of New York City after thegreat fire of New York in 1835. After the collapse of theJohn T. Ford'sTheater in June 1893, the54th Congress passed legislation compensating those who were injured in the building.[7]
After the start of theGreat Depression in 1929, PresidentHerbert Hoover had commissioned theReconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932.[8] The purpose of the RFC was to lend money to banks and institutions to stimulate economic activity. RFC was also responsible for dispensing federal dollars in the wake of a disaster. RFC can be considered the first organized federal disaster response agency.
TheBureau of Public Roads in 1934 was given authority to finance the reconstruction of highways and roads after a disaster. TheFlood Control Act of 1944 also gave theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers authority over flood control and irrigation projects and thus played a major role in disaster recovery from flooding.[9]
Federal disaster relief and recovery was brought under the umbrella of theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), in 1973 by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1973,[10] and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration was created as an organizational unit within the department. This agency would oversee disasters until its incorporation into FEMA in 1978.[10]
Prior to implementation of Reorganization Plan No. 3 of 1978 by E.O. 12127 and E.O. 12148, many government agencies were still involved in disaster relief; in some cases, more than 100 separate agencies might be jockeying for control and jurisdiction of a disaster.[11]
Over the years, Congress increasingly extended the range of covered categories for assistance, and several presidential executive orders did the same. By enacting these various forms of legislative direction, Congress established a category for annual budgetary amounts of assistance to victims of various types of hazards or disasters, it specified the qualifications, and then it established or delegated the responsibilities to various federal and non-federal agencies.[12]
In time, this expanded array of agencies themselves underwent reorganization. One of the first such federal agencies was theFederal Civil Defense Administration, which operated within theExecutive Office of the President. Functions to administer disaster relief were then given to the President himself, who delegated to the Housing and Home Finance Administration. Subsequently, a new office of the Office of Defense Mobilization was created. Then, the new Office of Defense and Civilian Mobilization, managed by the EOP; after that, theOffice of Civil and Defense Mobilization, which renamed the former agency; then, theOffice of Civil Defense, under theDepartment of Defense (DoD); theDepartment of Health, Education and Welfare (HEW); theDepartment of Agriculture; the Office of Emergency Planning (OEmP); the Defense Civil Preparedness Agency (replacing the OCD in the DoD); theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and theGeneral Services Administration (GSA) (upon termination of the OEmP).[12]
These actions demonstrated that, during those years, the nation's domestic preparedness was addressed by several disparate legislative actions, motivated by policy and budgetary earmarking, and not by a single, unifying, comprehensive strategy to meet the nation's needs over time.[13] Then, in 1978 an effort was made to consolidate the several singular functions; FEMA was created to housecivil defense and disaster preparedness under one roof. This was a very controversial decision.[12]
FEMA was established under the 1978Reorganization Plan No. 3 and was activated by PresidentJimmy Carter in an Executive Order on April 1, 1979.[1]
In July, Carter signedExecutive Order 12148 shifting disaster relief efforts to the new federal-level agency. FEMA absorbed theFederal Insurance Administration, theNational Fire Prevention and Control Administration, theNational Weather ServiceCommunity Preparedness Program, the Federal Preparedness Agency of the General Services Administration and the Federal Disaster Assistance Administration activities from HUD. FEMA was also given the responsibility for overseeing the nation's Civil Defense, a function which had previously been performed by the Department of Defense's Defense Civil Preparedness Agency.
One of the disasters FEMA responded to was the dumping of toxic waste intoLove Canal inNiagara Falls, New York, in the late 1970s. FEMA also responded to theThree Mile Island nuclear accident where thenuclear-generating station suffered a partialcore meltdown. These disasters, while showing the agency could function properly, also uncovered some inefficiencies.[citation needed]
In 1993, PresidentBill Clinton appointedJames Lee Witt as FEMA Director. In 1996, the agency was elevated to cabinet rank;[14] this was not continued by President George W. Bush.[15] Witt initiated reforms that would help to streamline the disaster recovery and mitigation process. The end of theCold War also allowed the agency's resources to be turned away from civil defense tonatural disaster preparedness.[11]
After FEMA's creation through reorganization and executive orders, Congress continued to expand FEMA's authority by assigning responsibilities to it. Those responsibilities include dam safety under the National Dam Safety Program Act; disaster assistance under theStafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act; earthquake hazards reduction under theEarthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 and further expanded by Executive Order 12699, regarding safety requirements for federal buildings and Executive Order 12941, concerning the need for cost estimates to seismically retrofit federal buildings; emergency food and shelter under the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act of 1987; hazardous materials, under theEmergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act.[16]
In addition, FEMA received authority for counterterrorism through the Nunn-Lugar-Domenici amendment under the Weapons of Mass Destruction Act of 1996, which was a response to the recognized vulnerabilities of the U.S. after thesarin gas attack on the Tokyo subway in 1995.[13]
Congress funded FEMA through a combination of regular appropriations and emergency funding in response to events.[17]
Following theattacks of September 11, 2001, Congress passed theHomeland Security Act of 2002, which created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. FEMA was absorbed into DHS effective March 1, 2003.[18] As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 2,600 full-time employees. It became Federal Emergency Management Agency again on March 31, 2007, but remained in DHS.[19]
President Bush appointedMichael D. Brown as FEMA's director in January 2003. Brown warned in September 2003 that FEMA's absorption into DHS would make a mockery of FEMA's new motto, "A Nation Prepared", and would "fundamentally sever FEMA from its core functions", "shatter agency morale" and "break longstanding, effective and tested relationships with states and first responder stakeholders". The inevitable result of the reorganization of 2003, warned Brown, would be "an ineffective and uncoordinated response" to a terrorist attack or a natural disaster.[20]
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 demonstrated that the vision of further unification of functions and another reorganization could not address the problems FEMA had previously faced. The "Final Report of the Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina", released February 15, 2006, by the U.S. Government Printing Office, revealed that federal funding to states for "all hazards" disaster preparedness needs was not awarded unless the local agencies made the purposes for the funding a "just terrorism" function.[21] Emergency management professionals testified that funds for preparedness for natural hazards were given less priority than preparations for counter-terrorism measures. Testimony also expressed the opinion that the mission to mitigatevulnerability and prepare for natural hazard disasters before they occurred had been separated from disaster preparedness functions, making the nation more vulnerable toknown hazards, like hurricanes.[22]
After allegations of mismanagement during Hurricane Katrina, theNational Disaster Medical System (NDMS) was transferred from the Department of Homeland Security to theDepartment of Health and Human Services by thePandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act, signed by President George W. Bush on December 18, 2006. In the same year, congress passed thePost-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006, which made FEMA a more independent agency within DHS, and better define its primary mission.[23] The act also added a Surge Capacity Force, which allows the Department of Homeland Security to supplement FEMA employees with additional personnel from various federal departments in the event the agency is overwhelmed. The Force has been activated forHurricane Sandy,Hurricane Harvey,Hurricane Irma,Hurricane Maria, and the2017 California wildfires.[24]
In fall 2008, FEMA took over coordination of theReady Campaign, the national public service advertising campaign in collaboration with theAd Council, to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural and man-made disasters. The Ready Campaign and its Spanish-language version Listo asks individuals to do three things: build an emergency supply kit,[25] make a family emergency plan[26] and be informed about the different types of emergencies that can occur and how to respond.[27] The campaign messages have been promoted through television, radio, print, outdoor and web PSAs,[28] as well as brochures, toll-free phone lines and the English and Spanish language websites.
In 2013, as a response to FEMA's response toHurricane Sandy, congress passed the Sandy Recovery Improvement Act of 2013 which allowed federally recognized tribes to directly request a presidential declaration of emergency.[23]
The Stafford Act was amended by thePets Evacuation and Transportation Standards Act (PETS Act) in 2006, and theDisaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA) in 2018.[23] DRRA made efforts to focus FEMA effort on improving resiliency, preparedness, and mitigating vulnerabilities for large disasters.[23]
FEMA was put in charge of procuring medical supplies during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[29]
According to a tweet posted on April 12, 2022, byDeanne Criswell, the FEMA flag, used between 1981 and 2003, was reintroduced.[citation needed]
The Trump administration has the stated goal of reducing or eliminating the federal role of FEMA, and having individual states assume emergency management responsibilities instead.[30] In 2025, FEMA was subjected to cuts by theTrump administration, firing more than 200 new and veteran employees on February 17, 2025.[31] On March 24, 2025, Homeland Security SecretaryKristi Noem said she would move to eliminate FEMA.[32]
In May 2025, the interim leader of FEMA,Cameron Hamilton, was dismissed from his position one day after he testified to Congress: "I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency."[33] He was replaced as interim FEMA leader by Marine Corps veteranDavid Richardson, who promptly told FEMA staff: "I alone in FEMA, speak for FEMA … Don't get in my way … because I will run right over you. I will achieve the president's intent."[34]
In August 2025, more than 180 current and former FEMA employees signed an open letter, later called the "Katrina Declaration," which criticized recent policy changes under the Trump administration and warned they undermined the agency’s ability to respond to disasters.[35][36] The letter cited requirements for DHS approval of FEMA contracts, the reassignment of staff to immigration enforcement, cuts to preparedness programs, and the suppression of climate science. Following the letter, several current FEMA employees who signed by name were placed on paid administrative leave.[37][38] FEMA stated the leave was not disciplinary, while critics and advocacy groups described it as retaliatory and raised concerns about political interference in FEMA operations.[39][40]
During the debate of theHomeland Security Act of 2002, some called for FEMA to remain as an independent agency. Following the failed response toHurricane Katrina, critics called for FEMA to be removed from the Department of Homeland Security.[41] Today, FEMA exists as a major agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The Administrator for Federal Emergency Management reports directly to theSecretary of Homeland Security. In March 2003, FEMA joined 22 other federal agencies, programs and offices in becoming the Department of Homeland Security. The new department, headed by SecretaryTom Ridge, brought a coordinated approach to national security from emergencies and disasters – both natural and man-made.
FEMA manages theNational Flood Insurance Program. Other programs FEMA previously administered have since been internalized or shifted under direct DHS control.
FEMA is also home to the National Continuity Programs Directorate (formerly the Office of National Security Coordination). ONSC was responsible for developing, exercising, and validating agency-widecontinuity of government plans as well as overseeing and maintaining continuity readiness including theMount Weather Emergency Operations Center. ONSC also coordinated the continuing efforts of other Federal Executive Agencies.
FEMA began administering theCenter for Domestic Preparedness in 2007.
FEMA administers the Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) which provides funding to state governments, local governments, Tribal governments, and Territorial governments along with specified Urban Areas and counties along international borders to invest in security enhancements. HSGP is broken out into three primary grant programs: State Homeland Security Grant Program (SHSP), Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), and Operation Stonegarden (OPSG). As of 2024, the Tribal Homeland Security Grant Program (THSGP) is funded as a percentage carveout of HSGP as well. TheNonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) used to be funded under the HSGP as well, but Congress now funds that program separate from HSGP. NSGP provides funding for nonprofit organizations more at risk to terrorist actions and domestic violence extremeism to invest in target hardening. This includes, but is not limited to, organizations such as educational facilities, hospitals, and house of worship. In 2024, FEMA administered over $3 billion across the suite of homeland security grants.[42][43][44][45][46]
In 2018, FEMA had an annual budget of $30 billion[47] that is used and distributed in different states according to the emergencies that occur in each one. An annual list of the use of these funds is disclosed at the end of the year on FEMA's website.[48][49][50][51]
FEMA maintains 23 cadres of various work functions and skillsets to prepare, respond, and recover from various disasters.[53]
FEMA's Mitigation Directorate[54] is responsible for programs that take action before a disaster, in order to identify risks and reduce injuries, loss of property, and recovery time.[55] The agency has major analysis programs forfloods,hurricanes andtropical storms, dams, andearthquakes.[55][56]
FEMA works to ensure affordable flood insurance is available to homeowners in flood plains, through theNational Flood Insurance Program, and also works to enforce no-build zones in known flood plains and relocate or elevate some at-risk structures.[57]
Pre-Disaster Mitigation grants are available to acquire property for conversion to open space, retrofit existing buildings, constructtornado and storm shelters, manage vegetation for erosion and fire control, and small flood control projects.[58] Critics say this program is underperforming because it is starved for funding compared to disaster response and recovery, the process of applying for a buyout is unreasonably slow, and is wasting taxpayer dollars because the National Flood Insurance Program has paid to reconstruct some properties up to 18 times.[59] 1% of NFIP-insured properties are responsible for more than one quarter of the money the program has paid out.[60]
TheHazard Mitigation Grant Program funds rebuilding after a current disaster in a way that reduces the impact of a similar future disaster.[61]
FEMA's emergency response is based on small, decentralized teams trained in such areas as theNational Disaster Medical System (NDMS), Urban Search and Rescue (USAR), Disaster Mortuary Operations Response Team (DMORT),Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT), and Mobile Emergency Response Support (MERS).
FEMA's National Response Coordination Center (NRCC) is a multiagency center located at FEMA HQ that coordinates the overall Federal support for major disasters and emergencies, including catastrophic incidents in support of operations at the regional level. The FEMA Administrator,[64] or their delegate, activates the NRCC in anticipation of, or in response to, an incident by activating the NRCC staff, which includes FEMA personnel, the appropriate Emergency Support Functions, and other appropriate personnel (including nongovernmental organization and private sector representatives). During the initial stages of a response, FEMA will, as part of the whole community, focus on projected, potential, or escalating critical incident activities. The NRCC coordinates with the affected region(s) and provides needed resources and policy guidance in support of incident-level operations. The NRCC staff specifically provides emergency management coordination, planning, resource deployment, and collects and disseminates incident information as it builds and maintains situational awareness—all at the national-level.[65] FEMA maintains the NRCC as a functional component of the NOC for incident support operations.[66][67]
An example of NRCC activity is the coordination of emergency management activities that took place in connection with the2013 Colorado floods.[68]
Disaster Medical Assistance Teams (DMAT) provide medical care at disasters and are typically made up of doctors and paramedics. There are also National Nursing Response Teams (NNRT), National Pharmacy Response Teams (NPRT) and Veterinary Medical Assistance Teams (VMAT). Disaster Mortuary Operational Response Teams (DMORT) provide mortuary and forensic services. National Medical Response Teams (NMRT) are equipped to decontaminate victims of chemical and biological agents.
TheUrban Search and Rescue Task Forces perform rescue of victims from structural collapses, confined spaces, and other disasters, for example, mine collapses and earthquakes.
.gif)
These teams provide communications support to local public safety. For instance, they may operate a truck with satellite uplink, computers, telephone, and power generation at a staging area near a disaster so that the responders can communicate with the outside world. There are also Mobile Air Transportable Telecommunications System (MATTS) assets which can be airlifted in. Also, portable cell phone towers can be erected to allow local responders to access telephone systems.
The first test of the national wireless emergency system by FEMA was broadcast to an estimated 225 million electronic devices at 14:18 EDT on October 3, 2018. The text message was accompanied by a flashing warning sign and warning tone. The president may direct FEMA to broadcast such alerts only for national emergencies or if the public is in danger. The facility may not be used for personal messages from the president. Mobile phone owners can not opt out of these warnings.[69][70]
On August 1, 2008, FEMA released "Planning Guidance for Protection and Recovery Following Radiological Dispersal Device (RDD) and Improvised Nuclear Device (IND) incidents",[71] which provide an action guide in the case ofradioactive contamination. This guidance is specified as action guide for Radiological Dispersal Devices (RDD) and Improvised Nuclear Devices (IND) involving high levels of radiation. According to theFederation of American Scientists, during theCold War FEMA prepared assessments of the likely consequences of a full-scale Sovietnuclear attack on the United States for use in planning mitigation and recovery efforts.[72] FEMA also prepared plans for evacuating major U.S. cities in response to a nuclear war, dubbedCRP-2B.[73]
FEMA offers a large number of training classes, either at its own centers, through programs at the state level, in cooperation with colleges and universities, or online. The latter are free classes available to anyone, although only those with U.S. residency or work eligibility can take the final examinations. More information is available on the FEMA website under the "Emergency Personnel" and "Training" subheadings. Other emergency response information for citizens is also available at its website.
FEMA runs the Incident Workforce Academy, a two-week emergency preparedness training program for FEMA employees. The first class of the academy graduated in early 2014.[74]
The Training and Education Division within FEMA's National Integration Center directly funds training for responders and provides guidance on training-related expenditures under FEMA's grant programs. Information on designing effective training for first responders is available from the Training and Education Division. Emergency managers and other interested members of the public can take independent study courses for certification at FEMA's onlineEmergency Management Institute.
EMI offers credentials and training opportunities for United States Citizens. Note that students do not have to be employed by FEMA or be a federal employee for some of the programs. However, they do need to create a FEMA SID to take the final exams[75]
EMI maintains a strategic partnership withFrederick Community College. FCC has contracted with the Emergency Management Institute to provide college credit for the Independent Study Program (ISP). FCC offers eight specialized Letters of Recognition, an Undergraduate Certificate, and an Associate of Applied Science degree in Emergency Management.[76]
FEMA Corps, who range in age from 18 to 26 years old, is a cadre dedicated to disaster response and recovery. It is a new partnership between The Corporation for National and Community Service'sAmeriCorps NCCC (National Civilian Community Corps) and FEMA.[77]The Corps, described as a "dedicated, trained, and reliable disaster workforce", works full-time for 10 months on federal disaster response, recovery, mitigation, and preparedness efforts across numerous sections. Over 150 members of the inaugural FEMA Corps class graduated in June 2013, at the Southern Region AmeriCorps NCCC campus inVicksburg, Mississippi. The Pacific Region campus in Sacramento, California and the Southern Region campus both support a FEMA Corps class annually.[78] The Corps work on teams of 6 to 10 people and follow the traditional NCCC model of living together and traveling together. In addition to working with FEMA, Corps members must perform AmeriCorps responsibilities such as Physical Training three times a week, National Days of Service, and Individual Service Projects in communities throughout the United States. Members receive $6.10 a day for food ($15 a day when deployed to on disaster project) and a living stipend of approximately $3,500 over 10 months (Approximately $175 every two weeks). Team leaders receive a larger stipend of approximately $10,000 over the course of 10 months (Approximately $500 every two weeks). The Segal AmeriCorps education award is distributed to Corps members who successfully finish their term of service, completing 1,700 or more total hours. The amount of a full-time Segal AmeriCorps Education Award is equivalent to the maximum value of the Pell Grant for the fiscal year in which the term of national service is approved, and can therefore change between different classes.[79][80]
FEMA has led aPublic-Private Partnership in creating a National Donations Management Program making it easier for corporations or individuals not previously engaged to make offers of free assistance to States and the Federal Government in times of disaster. The program is a partnership among FEMA, relief agencies, corporations/corporate associations and participating state governments.[citation needed]
In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck theFlorida andLouisiana coasts with 165 mph (265 km/h) sustained winds. FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Andrew, summed up by the famous exclamation, "Where in the hell is the cavalry on this one?" by Kate Hale, emergency management director forMiami-Dade County, Florida. FEMA and the federal government at large were accused of not responding fast enough to house, feed and sustain the approximately 250,000people left homeless in the affected areas. Within five days the federal government and neighboring states had dispatched 20,000National Guard and active duty troops to South Dade County to set up temporary housing. This event and FEMA's performance was reviewed by the National Academy of Public Administration in its February 1993 report "Coping With Catastrophe" which identified several basic paradigms in Emergency Management and FEMA administration that were causes of the failed response.
FEMA had previously been criticized for its response toHurricane Hugo, which hitSouth Carolina in September 1989, and many of the same issues that plagued the agency during Hurricane Andrew were also evident during the response toHurricane Katrina in 2005.
Additionally, upon incorporation into DHS, FEMA was legally dissolved and a new Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate was established in DHS to replace it. Following enactment of thePost-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006 FEMA was reestablished as an entity within DHS, on March 31, 2007.
South Florida newspaperSun-Sentinel has an extensive list of documented criticisms of FEMA during the four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004.[81]Some of the criticisms include:
The rising sea levels, global temperatures, and increase of flooding and severe storms has called for a change within the procedure of flood insurance. The communities that are directly impacted by these changes include coastal communities and waterfront homes. The procedural design of flood insurance is done throughFEMA's (Federal Emergency Management Agency)National Flood Insurance Program. Previously the Insurance Program created in 1968 was constructed around the "100-year floodplain" which is the "area that would be inundated by the100-year flood, better thought of as an area that has a one percent or greater chance of experiencing a flood in any single year",[85] and large subsidies for coastal homes, especially inFlorida. However, in 2019, major changes were made, and the new program called Risk Rating 2.0 was introduced, which prices a house on its individual flood risk.[86] It will account for the distance one's house is from a flood source, the types and frequency of flooding, and characteristics of the cost to rebuild. This new program will greatly impact states like Florida that have intense risk of hurricanes andsea level rise. Through the initial program, the homes on the coast were mostly being subsidized at the cost of the homeowners more inland, and more likely lower-income and people of color.[citation needed] However, as previously stated, with Risk Rating 2.0, homeowners in higher risk areas of greater flooding will be paying for that risk through insurance, and with that may come with re-evaluating the longevity of one's place on the coasts of Florida. On the other hand, with FEMA's program as a national program, we[who?] see different impacts in places like New England.[87] It has been indicated that states like Maine will be greatly impacted positively by the new program. The bays, inlets, and coves are proved to be good protective measures for most waterfront properties. In addition to Maine, states like Iowa and Nebraska will see impacts to their flood insurance policies. It is stated that almost 50% of Nebraskans and 40% of Iowans will see a decrease in their policies.[88] Overall we[who?] see many different types of complications to this new set-up, such as retirees on fixed incomes, long-term mortgages, and depreciation of household value. As this program is relatively new, impacts of the program will continue to be seen in the following years.
FEMA received intense criticism for its response to theHurricane Katrina disaster in August 2005. FEMA had pre-positioned response personnel in the Gulf Coast region. However, many could not render direct assistance and were able to report only on the dire situation along the Gulf Coast, especially from New Orleans. Within three days, a large contingent ofNational Guard andactive duty troops were deployed to the region.
The enormous number of evacuees simply overwhelmed rescue personnel. The situation was compounded by flood waters in the city that hampered transportation and poor communication among the federal government, state, and local entities. FEMA was widely criticized for what is seen as a slow initial response to the disaster and an inability to effectively manage, care for, and move those who were trying to leave the city.
Then-FEMA DirectorMichael D. Brown was criticized personally for a slow response and an apparent disconnection with the situation. Brown would eventually be relieved of command of the Katrina disaster and soon thereafter resigned.
According to theU.S. House of Representatives Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina:[89]
Other failings were also noted. The Committee devoted an entire section of the report to listing the actions of FEMA.[90] Their conclusion was:
For years emergency management professionals have been warning that FEMA's preparedness has eroded. Many believe this erosion is a result of the separation of the preparedness function from FEMA, the drain of long-term professional staff along with their institutional knowledge and expertise, and the inadequate readiness of FEMA's national emergency response teams. The combination of these staffing, training, and organizational structures made FEMA's inadequate performance in the face of adisaster the size of Katrina all but inevitable.[90]
Pursuant to a temporary restraining order issued by Hon.Stanwood R. Duval, United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana as a result of theMcWaters v. FEMA class-action, February 7, 2006, was set as the deadline for the official end of any further coverage of temporary housing costs for Katrina victims.[91][92]
After the February 7 deadline, Katrina victims were left to their own devices either to find permanent housing for the long term or to continue in social welfare programs set up by other organizations. There were many Katrinaevacuees living in temporary shelters ortrailer parks set up by FEMA and other relief organizations in the first months after the disaster hit, but much more were still unable to find housing.
In July 2007, ice that had been ordered for Katrina victims but had never been used and kept in storage facilities, at a cost of $12.5 million, was melted down.[93]
In June 2008, a CNN investigation found that FEMA gave away about $85 million in household goods meant for Hurricane Katrina victims to 16 other states.[94]
FEMA came under attack for their response to theOctober Surprise Storm inBuffalo, New York, on October 13, 2006. As FEMA legally cannot interfere with state business unless asked, FEMA responded that as per procedure, the governor of the state of New York,George Pataki, had not asked for FEMA's assistance. FEMA Headquarters had been in constant contact with State congressional offices providing them with the latest information available. Claims state that FEMA officials did not arrive until October 16, three days after the storm hit. Thesnowstorm damage by this time included downed power wires, downed trees, and caused structural damage to homes and businesses.[95]
Many people ofDumas, Arkansas, especially victims oftornadoes on February 24, 2007, criticized FEMA's response in not supplying the number of new trailers they needed, and sending only a set of used trailers, lower than the needed quantity. Following the storm,U.S SenatorMark Pryor had criticized FEMA's response to the recovery and cleanup efforts.[96]
FEMA came under intense criticism when it was revealed that a press conference on theOctober 2007 California wildfires was staged. Deputy AdministratorHarvey E. Johnson was answering questions from FEMA employees who were posing as reporters. Many of these questions were "softball" questions (i.e., "Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?"), intentionally asked in a way that would evoke a positive response giving the impression that FEMA was doing everything right. In this way, any scrutiny from real reporters (many of whom were given only a 15-minute notice) would have been avoided. Fox News, MSNBC, and other media outlets aired the staged press briefing live.[97] Real reporters were notified only 15 minutes in advance and were able to call into only a conference line, which was set to "listen-only" mode. The only people there were primarily FEMA public affairs employees.[98]
FEMA has funded over 11,000 recovery projects totaling more than $33.9 billion for Hurricane María, primarily focused on restoring permanent infrastructure. This includes nearly $600 million approved for materials and equipment to help rebuild Puerto Rico's power grid. Planned improvements include the installation of approximately 2,500 miles of transmission lines, 23 miles of submarine cable to serve the islands of Vieques and Culebra, more than 300 substations, nearly 200,000 transformers, and about 13,400 miles of distribution feeders.[99][100]
In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struckDominica andPuerto Rico with 175 mph (280 km/h) sustained winds. Maria was the fifth-strongest storm to ever strike the United States with stronger winds than those brought byIrma and similar rain brought to Houston by Hurricane Harvey.[101] Despite FEMA's preemptive efforts in Puerto Rico, the island was still devastated beyond expectation. The agency had prepared some provisions for displaced residents before the storm struck, including: roughly 124 FEMA staff members being positioned on the island, food, water, and bedding.[101] However, people reported the FEMA food packages were unhealthy snacks such as the confectionerySkittles.[102] FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Maria, as the island quickly fell into a humanitarian crisis.[103][104]
The island also experienced a massive loss of power as a result of flood and wind damage sustained during Maria. In the beginning of October 2017, Lieutenant GeneralTodd Semonite, chief and commanding general of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, explained the extent of and necessity of aid for this power crisis. Semonite described some specifics of the outage to reporters, explaining that the island requires "2,700megawatts of electricity to operate and at last count had 376 megawatts available." This translates to about 14 percent of the grid being functional.[105]
FEMA AdministratorWilliam "Brock" Long told reporters in a briefing following the storm that Puerto Rico politics had hindered the ability of the federal government to send aid. He explained that political divisions had prevented unity for leaders in this time of crisis, describing that their issue was "even worse" than the mainland United States' issue between Democrats and Republicans. Residents, in some cases, were required to fill out paperwork in English rather than Spanish with little to no hope of receiving the aid they had requested.[105]
Brigadier GeneralJose Reyes of thePuerto Rico National Guard discussed a strategy to quicken the arrival of resources via the Port of Ponce, located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico.[106] Reyes also attributed the delay in these services to the unprecedented series of storms that demanded attention from the agency within a short period of time. Regarding this, General Reyes told reporters " We were not even getting back on our feet after Irma, then suddenly we got hit by Maria." He also addressed the disparities between aid sent to mainland disaster-stricken areas and Puerto Rico, explaining that in areas such as Florida and Texas, who had recently struck with similar damages, transportation of resources is relatively simpler. This is because they are able to utilize infrastructure to transport aid. Transporting similar resources to Puerto Rico has proved to be more difficult, as they must travel across the ocean, either in aircraft or in ships.[105] Long also mentioned that Puerto Rico's international airport was not able to operate at full capacity, which posed an additional obstacle for federal aid imports.
Long resigned on March 8, 2019, following criticism of his handling of Hurricane Maria and an ethical complaint over misuse of official vehicles, costing $151,000.[107] Homeland Security SecretaryKirstjen Nielsen said that Long would have to reimburse the government for the cost of the vehicles and staff involved in the trips, many of which were between Washington and his home inNorth Carolina. Nielsen submitted her own resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security less than a month later on April 7, 2019.[108]
Hurricane Harvey made landfall in late August 2017 as aCategory 4 Hurricane with 130 mph (215 km/h) sustained winds. The Hurricane predominantly affected southeastTexas; however, its effects were felt as far as Arkansas,Kentucky, andTennessee in the form of flash flooding.[109] Harvey slowly progressed around southeast Texas, where it produced heavy precipitation over the region. This caused heavy flooding in residential areas such asColorado City,Liberty, andMontgomery, Texas.[109][110]
Harvey was the first of aseries of hurricanes and tropical storms to affect the United States between August and September 2017. The effects of these storms included extreme flooding, damage from high speed winds, structural damage, and humanitarian concerns regarding the availability of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.[111][112]
Some recipients were forced to wait up to two months before receiving aid from FEMA, as technical complications held up both their application for it and the processing of said applications. Some residents were denied Federal Aid and have to dispute their denial in efforts to rebuild and repair properties without taking a considerably large financial loss.
In early April 2020, theLos Angeles Times reported that theTrump administration was "quietly" seizing medical supplies from states and hospitals, citing hospital and clinic officials catering to seven states. These officials stated that the administration has not informed them how they can otherwise get access to their ordered supplies. A FEMA representative said the agency, working with theDepartment of Health and Human Services and theDepartment of Defense, has developed a system for identifying needed supplies from vendors and distributing them equitably. The federal government also seized an order for thermometers meant for Florida, an order for masks from the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, and an order for testing supplies meant for thePeaceHealth hospital system in Washington,Oregon andAlaska.[113]
On April 24,San Francisco MayorLondon Breed said "We've had situations when things we've ordered that have gone through Customs were confiscated by FEMA to be diverted to other locations. We know everyone is dealing with a serious challenge. Through Customs, we've had situations where those items have been taken and put out on the market for the highest bidder, putting cities against cities and states against states."[114]
Massachusetts Secretary ofHealth and Human Services Marylou Sudders cited a shipment of 3 million masks that the state had negotiated to buy fromBJ's Wholesale Club, until the federal government impounded them from thePort of New York and New Jersey on March 18. A further order fromMSC Industrial Supply for 400 masks to be delivered on March 20 was also claimed by the federal government usingforce majeure.[115] Massachusetts GovernorCharlie Baker reached out to theNew England Patriots professional American football team, who used the team plane "AirKraft" to bring approximately 1.2 million N95 masks from China to Boston.[116]
In late April, reports of the actions taken by FEMA in Massachusetts promptedMarylandGovernorLarry Hogan to deploy theMaryland National Guard and task them with guarding a shipment of 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits purchased fromSouth Korean company LabGenomics by theGovernment of Maryland.[117][118][119] The tests were subsequently held in an "undisclosed location," under the continued supervision of the Maryland National Guard.
The state ofColorado was set to purchase 500 ventilators before Federal Emergency Management Agency swooped in and bought them first.President Trump announced onTwitter that the federal government would be sending 100 ventilators to Colorado at the request ofSenator Cory Gardner.[120] The incident caused ColoradoGovernor Polis to make future supply purchases in secret.[121]
In late April, 5,000,000 masks meant for hospitals of theVeterans Health Administration were seized by FEMA and redirected to theStrategic National Stockpile, stated Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration.[122] After an appeal from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to FEMA, the agency provided the VA with 500,000 masks.[122]
On August 10, 2023, theUnited States House Subcommittee on Government Operations and the Federal Workforce, asubcommittee under theHouse Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, held a televised investigative hearing on the federal government's response to and overall recovery efforts fromHurricane Ian, which struckFlorida in September 2022.[123][124][125][126]
Between November 2024–March 2025, theUnited States Congress held four separate televisedinvestigative hearings on the federal government's response to, overall recovery efforts from, and criminal events following Milton andHurricane Helene a few weeks earlier.[127][128][129] These two hurricanessparked widespread misinformation and political turmoil to the point where Helene was described as the "flashpoint" for the2024 presidential election.[130]
By the time of the July 2025 Central Texas floods disaster, the Trump administration had reduced FEMA staff by one-fifth since taking office, and FEMA preparedness training ceased for months, shutting out over 7,000 trainees.[30] Therefore, FEMA's response to this catastrophic event will likely be closely scrutinized.[131] The National Emergency Management Association, as part of a coalition of stakeholders, states in a June 30, 2025, letter toDepartment of Homeland Security that FEMA “has not opened applications for a large number of key grants and is missing legally mandated deadlines to ensure the funds can be distributed.”[132] Such grants support emergency management staffing and resources for 82% of U.S. counties, particularly in rural areas.[133]
The Trump administration has the stated goal of reducing—or even eliminating—the federal role of FEMA, and having individual states assume emergency management responsibilities instead;[30] there is evidence that the flow of information from and within FEMA is thus being deliberately stifled—a situation which is hampering the agency's ability to efficiently communicate and work with state officials, and even with other parts of the federal government, thus “jeopardizing emergency response and homeland security capabilities, putting ‘critical infrastructure’ at risk.”[132] With regard to the July 2025 Central Texas floods, a former FEMA administrator observes that “Texas has already requested assistance for search and rescue… Oklahoma and Louisiana are sending search and rescue teams in,” and she points out that out-of-state teams are, in fact, FEMA trained and funded, begging the questions she poses: “What happens if that funding for their ongoing training goes away?” and “How are they going to be able to sustain that?”[134]
The costs of a disaster to states and localities can escalate quickly. Federal assistance becomes fully available with the approval of the President and at the request of the governor. Public help for governments to repair facilities is 75% federally funded with local governments responsible for covering the rest (unless the state grants aid or loans). FEMA does not compensate for buildings that have been improperly maintained by the state or local government nor does it pay to upgrade or improve facilities. FEMA coordinates but does not fund disaster assistance provided by theSmall Business Administration or theFarmers Home Administration. FEMA grant-in aid funds come from revenue sharing, theDepartment of Housing and Urban Development and theDepartment of Transportation. Grants for disaster preparedness can be used by flood control districts.[135]
Many states have disaster relief agencies of their own. In the event of a disaster outside of a state's operating capacity, the director of said agency will advise the Governor whether or not to proclaim a state of emergency. Declaring a state of emergency, upon Presidential approval, entitles a state to federal assistance.
Proclaiming a state of emergency does not guarantee federal assistance. States also rely on mutual aid agreements, such as theCivil Defense and Disaster Compact andEmergency Management Assistance Compact. A mutual aid agreement can be between neighboring states, cities, counties and cities, states and cities or an entire region. These agreements allow agencies to share resources so they are better prepared for emergencies.[135]
Local governments have the most immediate responsibility. Four factors shape local disaster response:
Having a mostly intact tax base allows local governments to maintain steady revenue stream. Business unharmed by a disaster will be able to continue to generate sales tax revenue. Cities with access to large revenue reserves and strong mutual aid agreements will have greater response capacity. While cities with large municipal debt that would be unable to pay back state or federal loans would be in a difficult situation.[136]
This case gave FEMA the right to sue in order to recover funds paid out in flood insurance claims for flood damage as a result of poor decisions by local officials and developers. The case also gave FEMA the power to sue localities who fail to meet flood plain management requirements.[136]
Denotes acting capacity. |
The following persons served as the head of FEMA:[137]
| No. | Portrait | Name | Start | End | Refs. | President | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| – |  | James Hafer[a] | May 1975 | April 1, 1979 | Gerald Ford (1974–1977) | ||
| – | | Gordon Vickery[b] Acting | April 1, 1979 | July 1979 | [138] | Jimmy Carter (1977–1981) | |
| – | | Thomas Casey[c] Acting | July 1979 | August 1979 | |||
| 1 |  | John Macy | August 1979 | January 20, 1981 | [139][140] | ||
| – | | Bernard Gallagher[d] Acting | January 20, 1981 | April 1981 | [141] | Ronald Reagan (1981–1989) | |
| – | | John McConnell Acting | April 1981 | May 1981 | |||
| 2 | | Jeff Giuffrida | May 1981 | September 1, 1985 | [142] | ||
| – | | Robert Morris Acting | September 1, 1985 | November 1985 | |||
| 3 |  | Julius Becton | November 1985 | June 1989 | [143] | ||
| – | | Robert Morris Acting | June 1989 | May 1990 | George H. W. Bush (1989–1993) | ||
| – | | Jerry Jennings Acting | May 1990 | August 1990 | |||
| 4 | | Wallace Stickney | August 1990 | January 20, 1993 | [144] | ||
| – | | William Tidball Acting | January 20, 1993 | April 5, 1993 | Bill Clinton (1993–2001) | ||
| 5 |  | James Witt | April 5, 1993 | January 20, 2001 | |||
| – |  | John Magaw Acting | January 20, 2001 | February 15, 2001 | George W. Bush (2001–2009) | ||
| 6 |  | Joe Allbaugh | February 15, 2001 | April 15, 2003 | [145] | ||
| 7 |  | Michael Brown | April 15, 2003 | September 12, 2005 | |||
| – |  | David Paulison | September 12, 2005 | June 8, 2006 | |||
| 8 | June 8, 2006 | January 21, 2009 | [146] | ||||
| – |  | Nancy Ward Acting | January 21, 2009 | May 19, 2009 | Barack Obama (2009–2017) | ||
| 9 |  | Craig Fugate | May 19, 2009 | January 20, 2017 | [147] | ||
| – | .jpg) | Bob Fenton Acting | January 20, 2017 | June 23, 2017 | Donald Trump (2017–2021) | ||
| 10 |  | Brock Long | June 23, 2017 | March 8, 2019 | [148] | ||
| – |  | Pete Gaynor | March 8, 2019 | January 14, 2020 | |||
| 11 | January 14, 2020 | January 12, 2021 | [149] | ||||
| – | | Bob Fenton Acting | January 12, 2021 | April 26, 2021 | Joe Biden (2021–2025) | ||
| 12 |  | Deanne Criswell | April 26, 2021 | January 20, 2025 | [150] | ||
| – |  | Tony Robinson Acting | January 20, 2025 | January 22, 2025 | Donald Trump (2025–present) | ||
| – |  | Cameron Hamilton Acting | January 22, 2025 | May 8, 2025 | [151] | ||
| – |  | David Richardson Acting | May 8, 2025 | present | [152] | ||
Table notes:
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)During the Clinton administration, FEMA Administrator James Lee Witt met with the cabinet. His successor in the Bush administration, Joe M. Allbaugh, did not.(Archived by WebCite at )
"Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488)
"Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488)
Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said that Long would have to reimburse the government for the cost of the vehicles and staff involved in the trips, many of which were between Washington and his home in North Carolina. The report puts that cost at $151,000.
FEMA bought 500 ventilators out from under state, governor said last week
Last month the governor made claims that FEMA swooped in to obtain ventilators he thought were coming to Colorado. He says now they're careful to keep all purchases under wraps.
FEMA instructed vendors with protective equipment ordered by the Veterans Administration to send the shipments instead to the stockpile.
