How FEMA shake-up could impact disaster readiness

Fears are churning over the preparedness of what’s forecasted to be another active Atlantic hurricane season.

An internal memo obtained by CNN suggests that FEMA is “not ready” for the June 1 start to the season.

“As FEMA transforms to a smaller footprint, the intent for this hurricane season is not well understood. Thus, FEMA is not ready,” the memo said.

President Donald Trump has criticized the agency for months, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to eliminate it.

“President Trump has given us the responsibility of looking at an agency that in the past has been there in times of crisis. For many people, on their worst day that they’ve ever experienced,” Noem said. “But many times in the past, it has failed.”

With hurricane season imminent, multiple sources and an internal memo obtained by CNN show DHS is inserting more than half a dozen of its officials into key front office roles at FEMA, though they appear to have limited experience managing natural disasters, according to the official bios included in the announcement.

Some experts are worried the shake up at FEMA will harm the preparation, mitigation, and response after natural disaster strikes. 

“There have been a lot of cuts to, again, FEMA staffing and FEMA funding, and that’s going to have impacts on the local emergency response,” Wisconet Program Manager Chris Vagasky said.