FEMA acting chief’s comment about hurricane season unsettles staff amid agency turmoil and resignations.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff were left confused and demoralised on Monday after their acting head, David Richardson, reportedly said during a daily briefing that he was unaware the United States has a hurricane season.
Richardson, who took over FEMA leadership in early May, made the remark at the end of an 8:30 a.m. operational briefing attended by hundreds of agency staff and interagency partners. Reuters was the first to report the incident, which quickly raised eyebrows both within FEMA and beyond.
Sources familiar with the meeting told CBS News that it was unclear whether Richardson’s statement was meant seriously or as an offhand joke. However, many staff present were unsettled, with some genuinely believing the acting chief was surprised to learn the hurricane season had already begun.
Others felt that if the comment was intended as humour, it was poorly timed and in bad taste, especially given the current atmosphere at FEMA. The agency has recently been plagued by low morale amid numerous challenges, including a wave of resignations, firings, leadership changes, and the implementation of polygraph tests for staff.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson later sought to downplay the situation, suggesting Richardson’s comment was not serious. “Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season. FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people,” the spokesperson stated.
The US Atlantic hurricane season officially commenced on 1 June and runs through November. The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has forecast an above-average season, predicting between 13 and 19 named storms. Of these, six to ten are expected to become hurricanes, with three to five escalating to major hurricane status.
The timing of Richardson’s comment has heightened concerns among FEMA staff already stressed by ongoing organisational upheaval. With an anticipated busy hurricane season ahead, the agency faces intense pressure to prepare and respond effectively.
Richardson, a former Marine Corps officer, faces a challenging task in leading FEMA through this critical period. The hurricane season typically demands rapid mobilisation of resources and close coordination across federal, state, and local agencies. Any perceived lack of awareness or preparedness at the top level risks undermining confidence within FEMA and among the public.
The agency is still recovering from a period marked by high staff turnover and internal restructuring, making effective leadership all the more crucial. The morale impact of Richardson’s remark—whether intended as a joke or not—adds to the uncertainty surrounding FEMA’s readiness.
Experts emphasise the importance of clear, consistent communication from FEMA leaders during hurricane season, as lives and property depend on timely and effective disaster response.
With NOAA’s grim forecast in mind, the coming months will test FEMA’s capacity to manage multiple severe weather events. While Richardson and his team reaffirm their commitment to disaster response, the agency’s ability to deliver will depend on rebuilding trust and confidence both internally and among the communities they serve.
In the meantime, staff and partners will be watching closely to see how FEMA navigates the challenges of this hurricane season and whether Richardson’s leadership can stabilise the agency during a crucial period for disaster management in the US.
