Amid growing concerns within the Federal Emergency Management Agency that internal turmoil has left it unprepared for the fast-approaching hurricane season, the agency is taking significant steps to bolster its disaster response workforce and training infrastructure.

Eleven requests for disaster declarations are pending at the agency — a sign that it is reducing disaster aid to states, experts say.

Trump has not acted on 17 disaster requests, a high number for this time of year, according to a FEMA daily report released Wednesday. On the same date eight years ago, during Trump’s first presidency, only three disaster requests were awaiting presidential action, the FEMA report from May 21, 2017, shows.

The homeland security officials will replace several longtime FEMA leaders, marking an inflection point in the Trump administration’s takeover of the disaster relief agency.

FEMA was established in 1979 at the insistence of Southern governors who wanted a more coordinated federal relief effort. Almost from the beginning, Congress responded to complaints by noncoastal states by imposing tighter fiscal controls and expanding the agency’s mission.

Late in the 2024 campaign cycle, parts of western North Carolina were devastated by Hurricane Helene. Donald Trump accused former President Joe Biden of abandoning the region and mishandling the response to the crisis.

The U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency announced the departure of 16 senior executives on Wednesday, a significant shakeup of its leadership ranks less than two weeks before the start of what is expected to be a busy hurricane season.

The crash of waves along the Pacifica coastline is music to Jennifer Christiansen's ears — it's also a warning sign. As coastal erosion worsens, so too does the threat to homes, businesses, and the very land they sit on.

As for us, look for 5 Good Things in your inbox on Saturday. The 5 Things AM and PM newsletters will return on Tuesday. Here’s what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending cuts package,

The Federal Emergency Management Agency should be renamed as the agency is reformed to increase the burden on states to respond to natural disasters, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said at a meeting on reforming FEMA on Tuesday.

Kentucky residents impacted by deadly tornadoes will likely have to turn to a weakened Federal Emergency Management Agency to aid recovery.