What Next | Daily News and Analysis If Trump Guts FEMA, Are Tornado Victims On Their Own?
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May 21, 2025 Thomas Frank, editor for E&E News’ climate finance team, dives into alarming proposals targeting FEMA under the Trump administration. He discusses the chilling implications of cuts to disaster relief and how these changes could affect victims of tornadoes and severe weather. The conversation touches on the complexities of federal aid, state preparedness, and the evolving challenges of climate-related disasters. Frank shares insights into the controversial relationship between FEMA and politics, emphasizing the urgent need for reliable disaster response in an unpredictable climate.
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FEMA Aid Thresholds Shift
- FEMA typically steps in only when disaster damage exceeds state capacity to manage.
- The Trump administration has begun denying aid even when thresholds are met, causing uncertainty.
States Must Self-Fund More
- States face increasing disaster intensity and frequency due to climate change.
- They must allocate substantially more funds themselves for disaster recovery moving forward.
Raising FEMA Involvement Threshold
- FEMA is seen as overextended, often covering disasters that states could handle.
- The Trump administration aims to raise the threshold for federal intervention significantly.