HOUSTON – A major change in federal disaster response could soon reshape how states prepare for and recover from natural disasters.
President Donald Trump announced his administration will begin phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) once the current hurricane season ends.
Trump, who has long criticized FEMA as ineffective and unnecessary, says federal disaster aid would instead come directly from the White House, bypassing the agency. ,
FEMA currently operates under the Department of Homeland Security and plays a critical role in post-disaster response and recovery, including coordinating emergency supplies, shelter, and flood insurance programs.
Former Harris County Judge and Rice University fellow Ed Emmett says the proposal to eliminate FEMA leaves critical questions unanswered.
“FEMA does a lot after the fact,” Emmett told KPRC 2. “Who’s going to pick up housing, supply meals, water, ice, those types of things? And who will pay for it?”
Emmett added that while he has confidence in the capabilities of Texas emergency officials, including the state’s Director of Emergency Management, W. Nim Kidd, he’s concerned about the broader implications.
“There needs to be a plan if you’re going to eliminate FEMA,” he said. “You can’t just throw it out there and hope that that happens.”
Emmett pointed out that while FEMA has had its flaws, including outdated flood maps and inefficient housing programs following Hurricane Harvey, it still fulfills crucial roles.
“We’re eight years out from Harvey and still don’t have updated floodplain maps for Harris County,” he said. “That’s ridiculous.”
Governor Greg Abbott’s office responded to KPRC 2’s request for comment, saying Texas is well-prepared to handle emergency management with or without FEMA.
“Texas has built the strongest emergency management operation in the nation,” said Andrew Mahaleris, the governor’s press secretary. “Governor Abbott has full confidence that the Texas Division of Emergency Management will be able to swiftly take action when disaster strikes.”
The governor’s office also emphasized Abbott’s ongoing involvement in federal emergency discussions. “Governor Abbott will continue bringing Texas’ proven leadership in emergency management to the FEMA Review Council to ensure state and local governments are empowered to better serve their citizens.”
Since its creation in 1979 and placement under the Department of Homeland Security in 2003, FEMA has played a major role in disaster response from delivering emergency supplies to administering the National Flood Insurance Program.
While Trump argues that disaster funds can be more effectively distributed without the agency, critics say eliminating FEMA without a clear replacement could leave states vulnerable in the immediate aftermath of disasters.
“You can’t just eliminate something and replace it with nothing. Those questions still need to be answered,” Emmett said.
KPRC 2’s Rilwan Balogun reached out to several municipalities for their reactions to President Trump’s proposal to phase out FEMA. The responses we received are included below:
Houston - no comment as of now.
Sugar Land - “Our Office of Emergency Management has not received any official word from the Federal Government, so it would be inappropriate to comment, at this time. However, the city of Sugar Land is currently monitoring what is happening, and we are taking those potential changes into account in our planning.”
Brookshire– no comment as of now.
Cleveland - no comment as of now.
Conroe - no comment as of now.
League City - no comment as of now.
Pearland - no comment as of now.
Rosenberg – City of Rosenberg Communications Director: “Thank you for reaching out. The City does not have a comment to provide regarding this topic.”
Texas City – no comment as of now.
Jersey Village - no comment as of now.
Missouri City - “Missouri City is committed to responding to residents during emergencies through a coordinated system of local, regional, state, and federal resources, if available. While FEMA generally provides critical support for large-scale disasters, we are equipped to respond through our Emergency Operations Center, mutual aid partnerships, and assistance from the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM). TDEM offers logistical support, funding, and personnel through the State of Texas Assistance Request (STAR) system when local needs exceed capacity.
Missouri City continuously trains and prepares to ensure a strong, resilient response with or without federal aid."
Deer Park - no comment as of now.
Galveston - no comment as of now.
Lake Jackson - no comment as of now.
Fulshear - no comment as of now.
Baytown - no comment as of now.
Harris County - no comment as of now.
Fort Bend County – Office of the Judge and Homeland Security and Emergency Management: “We do not have any formal comments on the decisions the President of the United States is making in regards to FEMA. However, we do trust our Governor and the Texas Department of Emergency Management to continue taking care of our county and the State of Texas in times of need.“
Brazoria County - no comment as of now.
Chambers – Emergency Services Chief: “I am honestly not sure what the actual impact of this decision would be, as this would depend on how everything is planned, structured and funded in the absence of FEMA. I do know that the State of Texas, through the Texas Division of Emergency Management (TDEM), communicates very well with us as a county. In fact, they have a County Liaison Officer stationed in our county to coordinate with us on a daily basis. TDEM has also responded to recent disasters in our county and provided liaisons directly in our EOC to help us. In fact, many people may not realize this, but to request assistance from FEMA, counties have to request it from the State, who in turn makes that request to FEMA on our behalf. In my opinion, if the Governor and TDEM were tasked with the role of FEMA, and were provided with proper funding, I have no doubt they would do their very best to provide disaster relief to local Texas communities. So, at this point I do not feel panicked by the President’s statement, but if this is indeed the direction he chooses, I certainly hope that adequate planning and a structured transition ensue.”
Galveston - no comment as of now.
Liberty – no comment as of now.
Montgomery - no comment as of now.
San Jacinto - no comment as of now.
Waller - no comment as of now.
