A seemingly ill-timed joke by Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) head David Richardson regarding his awareness of an official hurricane season has ignited a firestorm of criticism, particularly from concerned Democrats, as the nation braces for a potentially highly active hurricane season.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), under which FEMA operates, issued a statement clarifying that Richardson’s remark was indeed a joke.
The clarification came after a Reuters report revealed that Richardson, who assumed the acting role in early May, had “baffled employees” at a recent briefing with the sentiment, leaving staff unsure whether to take it literally, as a joke, or in another context.
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“Despite meanspirited attempts to falsely frame a joke as policy, there is no uncertainty about what FEMA will be doing this Hurricane Season,” a DHS spokesperson told The Hill, emphasizing that “FEMA is laser focused on disaster response, and protecting the American people.”
The spokesperson added that FEMA, under Richardson, is “activated in preparation for Hurricane Season.”
Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) expressed disbelief, tweeting, “Wait WHAT?! People are bracing for storms, and this man just found out the weather exists?!” She added, “This is what happens when you hire vibes over qualifications.”
Richardson’s predecessor, Cameron Hamilton, was removed from his acting position early last month after reportedly disagreeing with the Trump administration’s stance on overhauling or even shuttering the agency. Hamilton had publicly stated that he did not believe eliminating FEMA was in the public’s interest.
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The DHS, in its statement, reiterated its commitment to transforming what it described as a “bloated, DC-centric dead weight” into a “lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens.”
The spokesperson concluded by stating, “The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades.”
2025 Hurricane Forecast
Forecasters are expressing concern that this season could mirror the ferocity of the 2024 season, which was one of the most devastating and costly on record, characterized by “super-charged” storms like the earliest recorded Category 5 Beryl, the Southeast-pummeling Helene, and the destructive Milton across Florida.
AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva anticipates 13 to 18 named storms, with 7 to 10 hurricanes, and 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher). Crucially, 3 to 6 direct U.S. impacts are also on the radar. DaSilva notes a 20% chance of exceeding 18 named storms.
The overall intensity of the season, measured by Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE), is projected to be between 125 and 175, which is above the 30-year historical average of 123 and comparable to the high levels observed in 2024.
While an early start to the season with favorable tropical development in June is possible, a potential lull in activity could be followed by a busy end to the year, mirroring the 2024 season, where 13 of 18 named storms occurred between September and mid-November. The peak of the hurricane season typically falls on September 10th.
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