The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing intense scrutiny in the wake of catastrophic flooding in Texas that has left at least 120 people dead and more than 150 still missing. The disaster unfolded when the Guadalupe River surged over 20 feet in a matter of hours, triggering deadly flash floods across the Texas Hill Country.
FEMA, which was created in 1979 to coordinate the federal response to natural and man-made disasters, is now under fire not only for its handling of the current crisis but also for the systemic weakening of the agency in recent years. According to NBC News, President Donald Trump has considered abolishing FEMA altogether, and the agency’s full-time workforce has already been reduced by one-third.
Part of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), FEMA’s mission is to support individuals and communities before, during, and after disasters—whether hurricanes, wildfires, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks. But its ability to act swiftly and effectively has come into question.
As CNN reported, FEMA’s response to the flooding was hampered by bureaucratic bottlenecks, including a controversial new rule by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that requires her personal approval for all contracts and grants over $100,000. Critics argue that such red tape is stalling critical aid when speed is essential.
READ: Department of Homeland Security builds national citizenship database (July 1, 2025)
However, former and current FEMA officials told NBC News that the relatively small geographic area affected means it’s not a true test of what the agency, whose full-time staff has been shrunk by a third, is capable of doing in the wake of a disaster.
FEMA steps in when state and local resources are overwhelmed. It provides financial assistance, emergency services, and logistical support. Key programs include the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Individual Assistance, Public Assistance for infrastructure repair, and Hazard Mitigation Grant Programs. The agency also supports preparedness through training, grants, and public education.
FEMA uses Incident Management Assistance Teams (IMATs) to respond quickly on the ground and works within the National Incident Management System (NIMS) to ensure coordinated responses. It plays a major role in disaster recovery by helping communities rebuild infrastructure and return to normalcy.
Although FEMA has significantly improved over the years, especially after criticism following Hurricane Katrina, challenges remain in responding to large-scale disasters. Nevertheless, it remains central to the U.S. disaster management system, aiming to build a more resilient nation through preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation efforts.
“DHS and its components have taken an all-hands-on-desk approach to respond to recovery efforts in Kerrville,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement to NBC News.
READ: FBI and DHS warn public about potential security threats on July 4th (July 4, 2025)
“Under Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator [David] Richardson, FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades. … Secretary Noem is delivering accountability to the U.S. taxpayer, which Washington bureaucrats have ignored for decades at the expense of American citizens.”
Despite Trump’s displeasure towards the agency, some Republican members of Congress have come to its defense.
“The role of FEMA is critically important,” Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas told reporters on Capitol Hill this week. “I think everyone also agrees reforms that make FEMA more nimble, able to respond more quickly to a disaster, those reforms are beneficial, but regardless of the precise structure, the role is critical.”
Shutting down FEMA would significantly weaken the United States’ ability to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. Without a centralized federal agency, coordination between local, state, and federal governments would become fragmented, delaying aid and increasing the risk to lives and property. Programs like disaster relief funding, emergency housing, and the National Flood Insurance Program would be disrupted or lost. Communities, especially vulnerable ones, would face greater challenges rebuilding after major events. Overall, FEMA’s absence would create gaps in emergency management, reduce national resilience, and place a heavier burden on states and individuals to manage crises alone.