From CBS News: New analysis warns FEMA overhaul would make disaster aid harder to access, shifting costs to survivors

“A new analysis warns that a proposed overhaul of the Federal Emergency Management Agency by a Trump-appointed panel would limit access to federal disaster aid for survivors, shifting the burden to state and local governments amid hurricane season.

Last month, the FEMA Review Council floated sweeping changes to the disaster agency, turning it into a leaner organization that plays a supporting role in reacting to natural disasters, requiring state agencies to take the lead. The proposed overhaul, much of which requires congressional approval, came after President Trump suggested trying to “wean” states off of FEMA or eliminating the agency altogether.

But a report penned by Sabotaging Our Safety argues the FEMA Review Council’s plan would first make federal disaster aid harder to unlock, raising the threshold to declare a major natural disaster so high, it would have excluded nearly one-third of declarations spanning from 2012 to 2025.”

From FederalNewsNetwork: GAO reviews how FEMA is helping disaster survivors recover

“FEMA spent almost $400 billion over the last eight to nine years on disaster assistance. State and local governments cannot fund that,” said Chris Currie.”

From Inside Climate News: Why Wildfire Experts Are So Worried About This Year’s Fire Season
With a puny snowpack in the Western mountains and a widespread drought, the nation is a tinderbox. A reorganization of federal firefighting efforts and the departure of many staff qualified to join the fight are heightening concern.

“Across the nation, according to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), which coordinates the federal wildfire response, the total area burned in 2025 was about two-thirds of the average over the past 10 years.

This year is shaping up to be a very different prospect, wildfire experts warn. Key environmental indicators show that the nation is a tinderbox, gripped by widespread drought and with a light snowpack in the mountains that will offer little relief as its remnants melt away.

At the same time, upheaval in the federal wildland firefighting effort and the loss of many staff qualified to join wildfire incident teams since Donald Trump took power for the second time have left firefighters deeply concerned about their ability to mount an effective response.”

From Inside Climate News: As Seas Rise, Louisiana Faces a Choice: Plan for Movement or Let Crisis Decide

“Coastal Louisiana may be ground zero for climate migration in the U.S., but a new study argues that planning now could turn displacement into agency.”

From CNN:Power struggles and paralysis: Inside FEMA’s lost year as storm season approaches ,

[The Diva wants to note that a reader must have a subscription to CNN to read the article.]

FEMA begins limited hiring campaign after wave of departures

FEMA begins limited hiring campaign after wave of departures

FEMA has been approved to recruit for about 300 ‘priority’ positions, after the agency lost 5,000 staff over the last 18 months.

From InsideClimateNews: Forecasters Predict Below-Average Hurricane Season, Advise Against Complacency

“The forecasters said an expected El Niño was poised to temper hurricane activity in the Atlantic, but they urged preparedness.”

From Inside Climate News: Community Leaders in Florida Say Trump’s FEMA Pullback Leaves Them Struggling to Fill the Void

Community Leaders in Florida Say Trump’s FEMA Pullback Leaves Them Struggling to Fill the Void

The president may have backed off killing the agency outright, but his FEMA Review Council clearly sees a much reduced emergency management role for the federal government.

From the GAO: GAO: Disaster Recovery Scams Continue to Target Survivors as Agencies Push Awareness Campaigns

“Key Takewaways:

“Disasters such as floods, hurricanes, and wildfires afflict hundreds of American communities and millions of people each year. The resulting federal disaster response—i.e., billions of dollars distributed quickly—also attracts scammers.

In this Q&A, the GAO looked at ways federal and state agencies are educating people to protect them from disaster assistance scams. For example, information booths at disaster recovery centers display signs with tips about identifying, reporting, and avoiding scams. Online information—including press releases and emergency app push notifications—also helps raise awareness.”

From HSToday: Nine Practical Ideas to Strengthen Preparedness This Hurricane Season

“As another hurricane season approaches, communities across the country will hear familiar advice: “It only takes one.” “Have a plan.” “Build a kit.” “Listen to local officials.”

Those messages matter. They save lives. Exercises, drills, social media campaigns, and public information outreach all play important roles in preparedness.

How about this year we take the opportunity to go one step further with practical ideas that strengthen not only individual preparedness, but community resilience and public trust before the first storm ever forms.

Emergency managers and public information officers are constantly searching for ways to improve preparedness outcomes. Some of the best opportunities may come not from replacing traditional preparedness efforts, but from expanding the toolkit.”