America’s disaster safety net is unraveling. The Trump administration has made major cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), which is one of the leading climate resilience agencies and is critically important for preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters like hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other man-made and climate-influenced disasters.
The president and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem repeatedly talk about getting rid of FEMA entirely. And the acting administrator, Cameron Hamilton, has taken an axe to FEMA’s staff, programs, and basic functions—before being fired after saying, “I do not believe it is in the best interests of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.”
In comments filed today, NRDC laid out what true reforms could look like at FEMA if the administration was serious about improving the agency’s mission. And we detailed the full scope of what has been lost at FEMA and the many ways this administration has set back the nation’s climate resilience and disaster management efforts. Since taking office, it’s slashed staff, frozen funding to local communities for risk reduction projects, and refused to enforce legally adopted standards that ensure more resilient recovery efforts.
Many people, particularly those who have been caught on the frontlines of hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other disasters, fear the stakes of these decisions. In addition to NRDC’s comments, 4,661 public comments had been posted as of the afternoon of May 12, with 98 percent expressing support for FEMA and urging the administration not to eliminate or diminish it. Hundreds of commenters shared personal stories of how FEMA made a difference for their families and communities, and many provided tangible recommendations rooted in both personal and professional experience.
The comment period is open until midnight on Thursday, May 15. Please weigh in with your thoughts on the importance of climate resilience efforts, disaster preparedness, and FEMA.
“Our first direct engagement with FEMA was right after Hurricane Katrina. Though our house still stood, the first floor had to be gutted. For weeks, we moved from place to place in search of power, clean water, and safe shelter. Like many others, we lived in a FEMA trailer in the front yard for months, slowly rebuilding our lives in the shadow of uncertainty.
“That experience taught me firsthand how critical FEMA is in turning despair into recovery—and how its presence, coordination, and resources can mean the difference between displacement and survival. The agency’s support was not just logistical; it was symbolic. It represented the federal government’s promise that no community would be left behind.”
Comment submitted May 4, 2025 (read the full comment)
NRDC has produced a summary of the public comments, which offer a stark glimpse into what’s at stake with the latest actions at FEMA. Here’s a look at some of the most consequential ones.
A glimpse into our future, without FEMA
Hurricane season officially begins in just a few weeks. Wildfires have been breaking out in western states and other parts of the country, with peak wildfire season still months away. In the Midwest, tornadoes, severe weather, and flooding have come with the onset of spring. Many more disasters, driven by our rapidly warming climate, are just around the corner.
Last week, the president issued a proclamation recognizing Hurricane Preparedness Week. In it, he said he was “giving State and local authorities a more significant role in resilience, preparedness, and rapid-response efforts.”
What he didn’t say is that he was dumping disaster response in their laps and withdrawing federal disaster aid and assistance. There will certainly be gaps that no governor, mayor, or community leader should have to shoulder—or reasonably could.
And people deserve better. As the commenter who shared their experience sheltering in a FEMA trailer after Hurricane Katrina wrote, “The next storm is not a matter of if, but when. FEMA’s role in ensuring that recovery is swift, inclusive, and resilient cannot be overstated. My story is just one of thousands, but it is a reminder that behind every policy, there are families, neighborhoods, and futures at stake.”
