FEMA staff were left dumbfounded on Monday when agency head David Richardson reportedly said he didn’t know the U.S. has a hurricane season, according to four insiders.
The comment came just a day after the 2024 hurricane season officially kicked off. NOAA has forecast up to ten hurricanes this year. Richardson, who took over FEMA in early May, made the remark during a daily staff briefing.
“It was not clear to staff whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context,” a source shared.
He also said there would be no new disaster plan, despite telling staff in May to expect one.
“I will not be issuing a new disaster plan because I do not want to make changes that might counter the FEMA Review Council,” Richardson said. The council, formed under Donald Trump, includes DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and several governors.
Richardson’s lack of disaster experience has been a sore point, especially after FEMA’s significant staff cuts and canceled training sessions. Three sources said his comment spread quickly, fueling fears about his familiarity with FEMA operations.
He had previously said a plan, including exercises, would be ready by May 23rd. Instead, staff are now grappling with mixed messages and limited guidance.
Richardson still leads DHS’s counter-WMD office and has leaned on his past as a Marine artillery officer. He replaced Cameron Hamilton, fired after clashing with Trump’s vision to downsize FEMA. Over 2,000 FEMA staff have exited since Trump took office, and hurricane prep efforts have been scaled back dramatically.
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