FEMA’s critical tornado tracking tool restored after Noem’s departure from DHS

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  A tornado tracking tool used by FEMA is back up and running. The critical mapping program is used by search-and-rescue teams nationwide, helping them pinpoint a tornado’s path of destruction within minutes of touchdown.

The agency’s contract for that program expired in February, and an internal request to renew it was reportedly caught up in Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s strict spending-approval process, leaving rescue teams without the tool.

It’s now been restored, following Noem’s departure from the DHS.