Scott Dance

President Trump chose Cameron Hamilton to direct federal disaster response. As acting head of FEMA last year, he had opposed abolishing the agency and was ousted.

A White House task force also called for speeding up aid, but some of its ideas would require action by Congress to become reality.

After deep cuts last year, the agency is hiring hundreds. But fears linger that it isn’t equipped for imminent tornado and hurricane threats.

During President Trump’s second term, the disaster declarations that unlock money are taking longer than in the past. Blue states wait the longest and they hear ‘no’ more often.

The agency said staff members who had been let go or placed on administrative leave were now needed to prepare for hurricanes and the World Cup.

Though river monitoring shows bacteria levels have declined, scientists and environmentalists said a full recovery isn’t yet assured.

In separate lawsuits, environmental regulators said D.C. Water failed to prevent and contain a massive spill of raw sewage upstream of Washington.

San Diego County is shopping a surplus of desalinated seawater to Western states that are facing increasingly urgent drought and short supplies.

Cameron Hamilton is a former Navy SEAL who ran unsuccessfully for Congress.

A record-mild winter and blistering spring heat will mean higher risks of water shortages and wildfires in the months ahead.

The investigation comes as administration officials have fielded complaints about how Kristi Noem’s top adviser, Corey Lewandowski, dealt with companies seeking federal contracts.

The president’s nominee, Markwayne Mullin, said he would avoid “micromanaging” FEMA.

Palisades fire victims want to raise money for disaster hardening. Their idea could be a model — if it can get past L.A.’s most vexing housing problems.

The climate pattern known for intense heat, floods and drought is likely to develop this summer, raising questions about disaster preparedness.

Long delays in FEMA assistance brought bipartisan complaints, especially in North Carolina after Hurricane Helene in 2024.

A report by Senate Democrats found that scrutiny of large FEMA expenditures slowed housing and employment assistance for victims of fires and storms.

GOP lawmakers ensured there was enough money for the immigration crackdown, but the funding pause threatens other Homeland Security work.