Top FEMA official Bob Fenton says "we're ready for hurricane season"
FEMA's acting administrator Bob Fenton reassured the public that the agency is prepared for the upcoming hurricane season. Despite facing challenges such as staff shortages and a recent government shutdown, Fenton reported that over 30% of FEMA's disaster workforce is currently ready. He emphasized the importance of state and local governments in disaster recovery while acknowledging the agency's efforts to catch up on preparedness.
- ▪FEMA is preparing for the hurricane season starting June 1, 2026.
- ▪The agency has lost over 5,000 employees since January 2025, with many leadership positions vacant.
- ▪FEMA's disaster workforce availability is currently between 30% and 40%, which is considered normal.
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Exclusive Politics Top FEMA official Bob Fenton says "we're ready for hurricane season" By Nicole Sganga Nicole Sganga Homeland Security and Justice Correspondent Nicole Sganga is CBS News' homeland security and justice correspondent. She is based in Washington, D.C., and reports for all shows and platforms. Read Full Bio Nicole Sganga May 27, 2026 / 6:14 PM EDT / CBS News Add CBS News on Google Washington — Inside FEMA Headquarters' National Response Coordination Center, as a hypothetical Category 2 hurricane bore down near Creole, Louisiana, maps of the storm glowed on television screens. Staff announcements rang out on a PA system. Emergency managers leaned over laptops and traded updates in sidebars.
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