Is FEMA Ready for Hurricane Season? Internal Review Reveals Deep Concerns

FEMA's Hurricane Season Readiness Questioned Amidst Internal Review and Staffing Concerns May 16, 2025 - Concerns about the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) preparedness for the upcoming hurricane season have emerged following the release of an internal agency review obtained by CNN. The review, which paints a concerning picture of FEMA's readiness, reveals significant challenges facing the agency as hurricane season approaches on June 1st. The report highlights a critical shortage of personnel, with approximately 30% of FEMA's permanent staff no longer employed by the agency. Furthermore, the review notes that essential training exercises for disaster response have been largely suspended. "What Americans will see is a federal government that is either absent completely, or if present, sputtering to deliver response and recovery," stated one FEMA official, speaking on condition of anonymity. However, FEMA's acting administrator, David Richardson, refutes these claims. In a recent interview with Salem News Channel, Richardson stated that the agency will be fully activated and prepared for the hurricane season within the next couple of weeks. "We will make sure that the American people are safe. We may do it a little differently, we will be criticized for it, but we will do it very, very effectively," he said. The conflicting information raises serious questions about FEMA's ability to effectively respond to hurricanes this season. The agency's response will be closely watched as hurricane season unfolds.