Emergency management experts warn that Donald Trump’s first year back in office has significantly eroded America’s ability to prepare for and respond to natural disasters. Deep budget cuts and mass firings have shrunk key agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (Fema) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (Noaa), while climate science has been sidelined.
Fema entered hurricane season without a plan, lacking strong leadership and suffering from low morale and workforce gaps. Gutted weather-balloon networks in Alaska failed to give adequate warning before a destructive storm. In July, it took officials more than 72 hours to authorise federal search-and-rescue teams after the Guadalupe River in Texas flooded, killing over 135 people.
Damage from weather and climate disasters in the first half of 2025 exceeded $101bn, the costliest first half on record, according to Dr Adam Smith, formerly of Noaa. The federal database tracking these costs was discontinued in May. Monica Medina, a former Noaa deputy administrator, described the situation as a ‘perfect storm’ of escalating threats and a crumbling safety net.
Investments made under Joe Biden, including billions for climate resilience, have been clawed back. Trump has called for shifting disaster response to state level, saying Fema ‘doesn’t get the job done’. Experts warn that without renewed federal commitment, people will suffer as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.
