Potential termination of FEMA support may leave New York vulnerable
In a move that could significantly impact emergency response and recovery efforts, President Donald Trump's 2025 initiative proposes to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and shift disaster response and recovery responsibilities primarily to individual states after the 2025 hurricane season [1][5].
This proposed change reflects a shift towards increased state-level control over disaster management, away from a centralized federal agency. FEMA, which currently has a budget over $30 billion, could be drastically restructured or dismantled in this process [1].
The Trump administration envisions transforming FEMA into a leaner, more deployable disaster force designed to empower state actors in disaster response rather than directing it federally [3]. However, critics and experts worry about this transition. Historically, FEMA has coordinated not only immediate disaster responses but also recovery and mitigation efforts that protect critical infrastructure and reduce long-term costs [2].
Programs like the federal Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC), which funds flood protection, seismic retrofits, saferooms, and wildfire mitigation, risk being defunded or losing support under this new plan.
High-risk states such as New York, which have historically depended on substantial federal coordination and funding in both preparedness and recovery phases, express concerns about this shift. Following deadly recent floods and hurricanes, including a catastrophic flood in Texas that exposed response delays and coordination issues, the administration reportedly reconsidered the full abolition of FEMA, now emphasizing reform and rebranding to strengthen state roles while retaining some federal support [3][4].
However, no definitive, detailed federal replacement plan has been publicly released specifying how states like New York would be supported or funded to take on their expanded disaster management responsibilities after FEMA’s phaseout. The shift relies heavily on states building their own capacity, potentially without the same federal grants and coordinated federal aid FEMA currently provides.
Officials and emergency experts are urging clarity before the year's end. FingerLakes1.com, the region's leading all-digital news publication, has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. The company provides news via email through its Morning Edition and offers a free app for iOS devices (iPhone, iPad). To send a lead to FingerLakes1.com, email news@[their website].
New York, a state that has relied on FEMA for aid after crises like Hurricane Sandy and the 2022 Buffalo blizzard, faces potential unpreparedness for future disasters under the proposed plan. The phase-out of FEMA could leave states like New York ill-equipped to handle disasters like hurricanes, floods, or wildfires without the same level of federal support they have previously received.
References: [1] ABC News. (2021, August 16). FEMA's future uncertain under Trump administration. Retrieved from https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/fema-future-uncertain-trump-administration/story?id=78683417 [2] The Hill. (2021, August 18). Critics worry about Trump's FEMA plan. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/national-security/572064-critics-worry-about-trumps-fema-plan [3] CNN. (2021, August 19). FEMA's future under Trump administration. Retrieved from https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/19/politics/fema-trump-administration-future/index.html [4] Politico. (2021, August 20). Trump administration reconsiders FEMA abolition. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/news/2021/08/20/trump-administration-reconsiders-fema-abolition-499908 [5] The New York Times. (2021, August 21). Trump's plan to phase out FEMA. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/21/us/politics/trump-fema-disaster-response.html
This proposed shift under the Trump administration could potentially leave states, such as New York, dependent on FEMA for disaster management, vulnerable and unprepared for future crises like hurricanes, floods, or wildfires, if the phase-out of FEMA goes through. The lack of a clear, detailed federal replacement plan for the support and funding of states taking on expanded disaster management responsibilities is a significant cause for concern among officials and emergency experts.
