ICYMI: FEMA's Lack of Preparedness Drives Concern at the Start of Disaster Season
WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Sabotaging Our Safety released a new analysis challenging key recommendations from the Trump administration's FEMA Review Council and convened a national press call with elected officials and disaster response experts warning that FEMA is dangerously unprepared for the 2026 hurricane and disaster season. Together, the report and press call generated widespread national and local coverage, making it clear that the Trump administration is failing the very communities—including Republican-leaning states most dependent on federal disaster aid—that trusted it to keep them safe.
Trump's FEMA 2.0 Would Leave Survivors Behind: SOS's new analysis found that under the FEMA Review Council's proposed overhaul, nearly 30% of past disaster declarations would never have been granted—meaning communities that received federal help after floods, hurricanes, and fires would have been left on their own. The report documents how the administration's proposed changes would make disaster aid harder to access and shift costs directly onto survivors and states already struggling to absorb them.
Key clips:
The Independent: Under Trump's proposed FEMA 2.0 nearly 30% of previous disaster declarations wouldn't have been granted, group warns
Recovery Diva: New FEMA Overhaul Plan Is Concerning
Elected Officials and Experts Warn FEMA Is Not Read: This week, SOS convened a national press call featuring Texas State Rep. Mihaela Plesa, South Carolina State Rep. JA Moore, Public Service Commissioner for Louisiana's Third District (LA) Davante Lewis, former FEMA Director of Public Affairs Rafael Lemaitre, and Women's March Rural Organizer Kendra Kay. The call centered on a simple, urgent reality: hurricane season is here, and the Trump administration's mass firings, leadership vacancies, and frozen contracts have left FEMA unable to do its job.
Key clips:
Houston Chronicle: Texas lawmaker, former FEMA official sound alarm on FEMA storm readiness
Louisiana Illuminator: FEMA's interim leader gives assurances, despite local concerns over disaster response
San Antonio Current: With Texas Hill Country flood anniversary near, watchdog warns Trump's gutted FEMA unprepared for disasters
Smart Cities Dive: Is FEMA ready for disaster season?
News 15 LA: Louisiana leaders raise concerns over FEMA's hurricane season readiness
FOX 8 LA: Louisiana officials concerned over FEMA staffing, leadership as hurricane season opens
Biz News Orleans: Analysis Warns FEMA Changes Could Limit Aid
The Bottom Line: The Trump administration spent the last year gutting FEMA—firing experienced staff, leaving leadership positions vacant, freezing disaster preparedness contracts, and proposing an overhaul that would reduce the federal government's obligation to help Americans in crisis.
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