Daily Headlines: Disaster Relief DHS halts FEMA disaster travel during shutdown despite Stafford Act funding, requiring headquarters approval for staff responding to 14 active disaster declarations from last month’s winter storms. February 19, 2026 View Details DC Mayor Bowser declares state of emergency over Potomac sewage spill and requests federal disaster declaration, after meeting with White House staff and EPA about the weeks-long ecological crisis. February 19, 2026 View Details DHS halts terminations of FEMA disaster workers as massive winter storm approaches, hours after staff were escorted out during Noem’s tour of headquarters. January 24, 2026 View Details FEMA says 50% workforce reduction figure was “included in error” in leaked internal plan, but officials confirm administration discussing major cuts for 2026. January 6, 2026 View Details DHS begins cutting FEMA disaster response staff on New Year’s Eve, terminating contracts within days as task force prepares recommendation to cut agency workforce in half. January 3, 2026 View Details Trump-appointed federal judge orders administration to restore $233 million in disaster funding after 12 attorneys general sued over cuts tied to immigration enforcement. December 24, 2025 View Details Levee fails near Seattle five days after county installed emergency flood protection, prompting evacuation warning for 46,000 residents as National Guard deploys. December 16, 2025 View Details FEMA releases $314 million in Hurricane Helene recovery funds to Georgia counties after Senator Warnock reported administration still owes state $600 million in promised aid. December 13, 2025 View Details Federal judge orders Trump administration to restore $3.6 billion in canceled FEMA disaster mitigation funding after 22 states sued, ruling Congress appropriated the money and “the government must follow the law.” December 12, 2025 View Details Trump taps election denier Gregg Phillips to lead FEMA disaster response, 3 years after he was jailed for refusing to produce evidence for voter fraud claims. December 10, 2025 View Details Trump denies Chicago disaster aid for two summer storms with damage assessments that historically mean approval, two weeks after saying Illinois officials “should be in jail.” November 23, 2025 View Details Acting FEMA chief David Richardson resigns after 7-month tenure overseeing removal of more than third of agency staff. November 18, 2025 View Details Trump administration refuses to use $5 billion in available funds to prevent Nov. 1 SNAP cutoff, saying money must be reserved for disasters as 1 in 8 Americans lose food aid. October 27, 2025 View Details Trump administration denied Western Maryland’s final FEMA appeal for May flash flood recovery despite $33.7 million in damages exceeding state threshold by nearly 3x. October 24, 2025 View Details Typhoon Halong destroyed 90% of homes in one Alaska village and displaced over 2,000 people who cannot return for at least 18 months, as Trump administration cuts to weather monitoring made forecasts less accurate. October 18, 2025 View Details EPA canceled $20 million Alaska flood protection grant five months before catastrophic flooding hit Kipnuk, where Lee Zeldin called it wasteful DEI grant despite community’s vulnerability. October 15, 2025 View Details GOP-appointed judge accuses Trump administration of violating order barring FEMA conditions tied to immigration enforcement, calling it ham-handed attempt to bully states. October 15, 2025 View Details More than 1,000 Western Alaska residents sleep in schools without functioning toilets or water after Sunday storm damaged nearly every home in two villages. October 15, 2025 View Details All 21 New Jersey counties remain under state of emergency through Monday as nor’easter brings flooding forecast to exceed Hurricane Erin levels. October 12, 2025 View Details DHS orders hundreds of CISA cybersecurity and FEMA staff to immigration enforcement with one week to accept or face termination, slowing response to active cyber threats including China-linked Cisco vulnerability. October 10, 2025 View Details Homeland Security Secretary Noem fast-tracks $11 million for Florida tourist pier after campaign donor intervenes, then dines with him. September 27, 2025 View Details A Trump-appointed FEMA chief with no emergency experience was reportedly unreachable for 24 hours during deadly flooding in Texas last summer, hampering the agency’s response. September 25, 2025 View Details A George W. Bush-appointed judge rules the Trump administration cannot tie FEMA disaster aid to states’ cooperation on immigration enforcement. September 25, 2025 View Details The GAO determined the Trump administration illegally withheld FEMA funds for the homeless for the sixth time this year. September 17, 2025 View Details FEMA employees file a formal whistleblower complaint against DHS after being put on leave for warning of disaster unpreparedness. September 9, 2025 View Details One of two firefighters arrested by Border Patrol while on duty fighting a wildfire arrived in the U.S. at age 4 and is on a path to legal status. September 1, 2025 View Details FEMA extends its hiring freeze just weeks before the peak of hurricane season and months after Trump announced plans to phase out the agency. August 31, 2025 View Details DHS bars disaster aid groups from helping undocumented immigrants, reversing a long-standing practice of serving anyone in need regardless of status. August 28, 2025 View Details Border Patrol arrests two firefighters at Washington wildfire in rare operation as concerns over federal agents acting at disaster sites resurface. August 28, 2025 View Details More than 180 FEMA staff warn Trump’s cuts and unqualified leadership risk another Katrina-scale disaster, speaking out despite 340 EPA employees put on leave for a similar tactic. August 26, 2025 View Details DHS stalls $115 million in FEMA-approved Helene aid while Trump-era GOP slashed FEMA and branded it useless during 2024 Helene response. August 9, 2025 View Details National Weather Service rehires 450 meteorologists months after DOGE cuts left agency understaffed during hurricane season. August 7, 2025 View Details Judge halts Trump administration from redirecting over $4 billion in FEMA mitigation funding. August 6, 2025 View Details FEMA to deny disaster aid to states and cities that boycott Israeli companies before reversing after backlash. August 5, 2025 View Details Trump claims U.S. gave $60 million in Gaza aid but only $3 million has been sent to controversial Israeli-backed foundation. August 3, 2025 View Details Defense Dept reverses planned cutoff of crucial hurricane satellite data to NOAA forecasters just before peak Atlantic storm season. July 30, 2025 View Details FEMA redirects $600 million from disaster relief to fund state immigrant detention facilities while Trump administration considers shuttering the agency entirely. July 26, 2025 View Details Trump denies Maryland flood aid despite FEMA finding communities met federal thresholds after worst Western Maryland flooding in 30 years. July 24, 2025 View Details FEMA chief calls Texas flood response a “model” despite Noem policy requiring her personal approval delaying urban rescue teams after 135 people died. July 24, 2025 View Details FEMA’s urban search and rescue chief Ken Pagurek resigned after a Kristi Noem policy requiring her personal approval for funding delayed the Texas flood response by 72 hours. July 23, 2025 View Details Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick suspends NOAA’s climate-driven rainfall prediction tool development weeks after deadly Texas flooding. July 17, 2025 View Details Gov. Hobbs demands federal inquiry after officials chose controlled burn strategy that destroyed historic Grand Canyon Lodge during Arizona’s driest season. July 15, 2025 View Details Noem denies New York Times report that her $100,000 contract approval policy delayed FEMA call center renewals during Texas floods that killed 129 people. July 14, 2025 View Details FEMA acting administrator Richardson skips response to Texas flooding that killed 120 as DHS Secretary Noem assumes unprecedented disaster leadership role. July 13, 2025 View Details Trump calls reporter “evil person” for asking if flood warnings could have saved lives then praises conservative outlet as “nice reporter.” July 12, 2025 View Details Commerce Secretary Lutnick calls weather service layoff reports “fake news” while half of all national weather offices operate with 20 percent staff cuts. July 12, 2025 View Details House Democrats demand review of whether Trump’s weather service staff cuts delayed flood warnings that could have saved lives. July 12, 2025 View Details Noem’s five-day delay renewing call center contracts left FEMA unable to answer two-thirds of flood survivor calls for disaster aid. July 12, 2025 View Details Trump and Abbott praise federal flood response during Texas tour despite reports FEMA moved slowly and Noem’s cost-cutting delays hampered rescue efforts. July 12, 2025 View Details FEMA’s Texas flood response delayed 72 hours by Noem’s new rule requiring her personal approval for expenditures over $100,000. July 11, 2025 View Details NOAA delays cutting critical hurricane forecasting data by just one month after scientists warn of severe consequences during hurricane season. July 1, 2025 View Details Defense Department to stop sharing microwave satellite data over cybersecurity risks, hobbling forecasters’ ability to track rapidly intensifying hurricanes ahead of peak season. June 28, 2025 View Details Federal judge blocks Labor Department’s shutdown of 120 Job Corps sites, ruling agency can’t “do as it pleases” when Congress funded program. June 26, 2025 View Details Federal wildland firefighter union warns Trump’s 90-day agency consolidation timeline during fire season could be disastrous as agencies face severe staffing shortages. June 21, 2025 View Details Trump orders Forest Service and Interior to merge wildfire programs during active fire season after 5,000 employees left agency through workforce cuts. June 17, 2025 View Details Trump announces plan to eliminate FEMA after hurricane season while immediately cutting disaster payments and forcing states to handle emergencies with less federal funding. June 11, 2025 View Details White House proposes shutting down chemical safety agency by October 2026 in new budget documents, despite board investigating fatal explosions and toxic disasters at industrial facilities nationwide. June 4, 2025 View Details FEMA head claims he was “joking” after telling staff he wasn’t aware hurricane season exists while Trump administration considers eliminating the disaster agency. June 3, 2025 View Details National Weather Service adds 125 new hires months after Trump administration cuts eliminated over 560 employees just before hurricane season begins. June 3, 2025 View Details FEMA acting administrator rescinds agency’s strategic plan less than two weeks before hurricane season starts. May 22, 2025 View Details Deadly Kentucky tornado that killed 14 people tracked by weather office struggling with staffing cuts that eliminated overnight shifts at many National Weather Service locations. May 18, 2025 View Details Internal FEMA review warns agency “is not ready” for hurricane season as Trump administration halts training, cuts 30% of staff, and disrupts critical preparations. May 16, 2025 View Details National Weather Service seeks internal transfers to fill 155 vacancies as Houston office loses all management and Kansas facility ends 24/7 operations, but hiring freeze remains. May 15, 2025 View Details New FEMA head Richardson tells staff he will ‘run right over’ those who resist changes as agency faces major cuts. May 10, 2025 View Details Acting FEMA head fired a day after testifying against closing the agency, sources say. May 9, 2025 View Details NOAA to discontinue weather disaster database as Trump administration cuts agency resources. May 9, 2025 View Details At a House hearing, Kristi Noem says FEMA should be scrapped and disaster aid converted to state grants. May 7, 2025 View Details FEMA ends door-to-door disaster outreach as Trump administration shifts aid responsibilities to states. May 6, 2025 View Details National Weather Service to resume translating forecasts after contract lapse endangered non-English speakers. April 27, 2025 View Details Trump administration cancels $400 million in AmeriCorps grants, cutting 41 percent of the agency’s 2025 budget. April 26, 2025 View Details DOGE orders AmeriCorps to cut disaster relief corps, stripping young workers of jobs and college aid. April 17, 2025 View Details FEMA denies disaster aid to Washington for bomb cyclone damage after Trump demands immigration and DEI compliance. April 15, 2025 View Details CDC lays off entire cruise outbreak team as infected ship docks and norovirus spikes in Florida. April 13, 2025 View Details Dozens of DHS staffers given lie detector tests over leak probe, with at least one FEMA employee escorted out. April 13, 2025 View Details Noem gives 260,000 DHS employees one week to apply for buyouts in late-night email. April 8, 2025 View Details Trump administration doesn’t renew contract for translating weather alerts and forecasts, cutting access for non-English speakers. April 8, 2025 View Details DHS gives FEMA chief lie detector test after leak of Noem meeting on plan to eliminate agency. April 6, 2025 View Details Rubio-led State Department fires U.S. aid workers while they conduct earthquake relief in Myanmar, where over 3,000 have died. April 6, 2025 View Details Trump administration ends disaster prep grant program for communities, cancels pending funds and past awards. April 5, 2025 View Details Trump pledges U.S. aid after Asia quake kills over 1,000 as former USAID disaster chief calls response system ‘in shambles’. March 29, 2025 View Details Noem said the Trump administration plans to eliminate FEMA’s long-term disaster programs and eliminate the agency’s rebuilding role. March 27, 2025 View Details FEMA hiring overhaul puts most disaster-response workers under DHS review as Trump and Noem move to gut the agency before hurricane season. March 23, 2025 View Details Musk ally who helped slash programs at USAID and CFPB appointed to top USAID role. March 20, 2025 View Details Johns Hopkins Univ. has begun laying off more than 2,000 workers after the WH cut USAID funding for programs it administers. March 14, 2025 View Details The Corporation for Public Broadcasting sued FEMA for halting $40M in emergency alert system upgrades, saying it endangers real-time disaster warnings. March 14, 2025 View Details Federal Judge Amir Ali ordered the White House to provide a status report by Friday on unpaid invoices to relief groups for work done before Feb. 13. March 12, 2025 View Details Secretary of State Marco Rubio says 83% of USAID’s programs have been eliminated, with the State Department taking over the rest. March 11, 2025 View Details FEMA cancels National Fire Academy classes days before new training group set to begin. March 9, 2025 View Details Judge rules FEMA doesn’t have to immediately return $80 million to NYC. March 7, 2025 View Details United Nations’ WFP closes Johannesburg hub after Trump aid cuts, shifts its hub 2,500 miles away to Nairobi. March 5, 2025 View Details After firing 1,000 FEMA employees, Trump saw over a dozen senior executives leave and has threatened to disband the disaster relief agency. February 28, 2025 View Details Fired USAID employees and HIV advocates protested in the Capitol including a “die-in”. Police arrested 20 people. February 27, 2025 View Details Trump slashes 90% of foreign aid contracts, $60 billion cut. February 27, 2025 View Details Roberts issues emergency stay, USAID funds remain frozen, answers due Friday at Supreme Court. February 27, 2025 View Details USAID offices given to Customs and Border Protection February 25, 2025 View Details Hundreds at USAID’s humanitarian aid bureau were fired by email late Friday night, raising doubts about Rubio’s claims of aid delivery February 25, 2025 View Details FEMA prohibited employees from speaking to the media and plans to fire hundreds tomorrow February 24, 2025 View Details Trump admin denies Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp’s request to extend FEMA deadline for Hurricane Helene victims February 24, 2025 View Details Homeland Security Kristi Noem said she would advise Trump to get rid of FEMA as its built today February 23, 2025 View Details FEMA has prohibited employees from speaking to the media without authorization and plans to fire hundreds of people on Tuesday. February 18, 2025 View Details Trump’s administration has denied Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s request to extend the FEMA assistance deadline for Hurricane Helene victims. February 18, 2025 View Details
