New FEMA head's hurricane joke goes down like a lead balloon
Washington D.C.: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employees were left stunned Monday when Administrator David Richardson, during a staff briefing, appeared unaware that the U.S. has a hurricane season, according to Reuters sources. The season began June 1 and runs through November, with NOAA predicting up to 10 hurricanes this year.
A Homeland Security spokesperson called Richardson’s comment a joke, stating FEMA is transitioning into a "lean, deployable disaster force". However, staff expressed concern over his lack of disaster experience and shifting directives—Richardson had promised a new response plan by May 23, but now says no changes will be made to avoid conflicting with a Trump-era review council.
The remark deepened worries about FEMA’s preparedness after recent leadership turnover, staff cuts, and reduced hurricane training. Since 2021, a third of FEMA’s workforce has departed, and Trump allies have pushed to shrink the agency, arguing states should handle more disaster response. Despite this, DHS extended contracts for 2,600 temporary responders critical to storm operations.
With an above-normal hurricane season forecast, Richardson’s leadership—and FEMA’s readiness—faces heightened scrutiny.
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Everything you need to know about the 2025 Atlantic Hurricane Season
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is forecast to be above average, with a 60% chance of above-normal activity, a 30% chance of a near-normal season, and only a 10% chance of a below-normal season.
NOAA’s Hurricane Analysis and Forecast System (HAFS) has also been upgraded for 2025, improving predictions for storm track, intensity, structure, and rapid intensification events by 5–7%.
The World Meteorological Organization has designated the following names for 2025’s storms: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dexter, Erin, Fernand, Gabrielle, Humberto, Imelda, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Nestor, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastien, Tanya, Van, and Wendy.