FEMA chief said he was unaware the US has a hurricane season: See 2025 hurricane forecast
- Acting FEMA administrator David Richardson is facing scrutiny after reportedly saying he was unaware of hurricane season.
- A FEMA spokesperson claimed the comment was a joke, but Reuters reports staff were unsure of its intent.
- The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and ends November 30.
David Richardson, the acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, is under public scrutiny after claiming he was unaware the the United States had a hurricane season.
A spokesperson claimed the comment, made during a briefing, was a joke, and that FEMA is prepared for hurricane season. However, Reuters noted that staff were unsure "whether he meant it literally, as a joke, or in some other context" during the briefing.
Richardson was appointed to head FEMA in early May, following the ousting of then-chief of FEMA Cameron Hamilton. Hamilton's firing came after he told a congressional hearing that he did not support eliminating the agency.
Previous Paste BN reporting quoted Richardson's statements on his aim to "carry out the president's intent for FEMA," referring to President Donald Trump's calls for the agency to be shrunk or abolished.
In line with these statements, Richardson recently denied North Carolina's latest request for a 180-day extension of the 100% cost match for eligible Tropical Storm Helene recovery expenses, after N.C. Gov. Josh Stein appealed the first denial under Hamilton.
Hurricane season 2025
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasts a range of 13-19 total named storms in 2025, meaning those with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those storms, 6-10 are forecast to become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher) including 3-5 major hurricanes (Category 3-5 with winds of 111 mph or higher).
Before announcing the 2025 outlook, NOAA's acting administrator Laura Grimm said last year's outlook was "right on the money."
When does hurricane season start?
The Atlantic hurricane season began June 1.
When does hurricane season end?
The Atlantic hurricane season ends on Nov. 30.
Iris Seaton is the trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the Paste BN Network. Reach her at iseaton@citizentimes.com.