“I didn’t know the US had a hurricane season”: FEMA chief David Richardson’s offhand remark fuels alarm over readiness as storm season begins

David Richardson, the newly appointed acting Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), reportedly expressed unfamiliarity with the US hurricane season during a staff briefing on June 2, just a day after the season officially commenced.

The comment, made after an 8:30 am daily operational briefing attended by hundreds of FEMA staffers and interagency partners, left many employees confused and concerned about the agency's preparedness for the upcoming storm season.

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“Intended as a joke”

While a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson later clarified that Richardson's remark was intended as a joke, the incident has intensified existing apprehensions regarding FEMA's readiness and leadership, especially given forecasts predicting an above-average hurricane season with up to 10 hurricanes.

Who is David Richardson

Richardson, a former Marine artillery officer with no prior experience in disaster response, assumed leadership of FEMA in May 2025 following the dismissal of his predecessor, Cameron Hamilton. In addition to his role at FEMA, Richardson continues to serve as the Assistant Secretary for DHS's Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.

During the same briefing, Richardson announced that he would not release a new disaster response plan, despite having previously promised one by May 23. He cited a desire to avoid making changes that might conflict with recommendations from the Trump-created FEMA Review Council.

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This decision has added to the staff's confusion, particularly as the agency grapples with reduced hurricane training and the loss of approximately 2,000 full-time employees since the beginning of the Trump administration.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem approved Richardson's request to retain over 2,600 short-term disaster workers in May, who now comprise 40 percent of FEMA's staff. However, concerns persist about the agency's capacity to effectively respond to disasters, especially in light of staffing shortages and diminished coordination with state and local agencies.

The situation is further complicated by significant cuts to key federal agencies responsible for disaster response and forecasting, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Staff reductions and funding cuts have hampered NOAA's capacity, leading to a departure of experienced personnel and raising concerns over a "brain drain."