Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA Nomination Reaches Senate Cloture Stage
A Senate cloture motion has moved Cameron Hamilton’s FEMA nomination closer to a confirmation vote, but he remains unconfirmed and FEMA rules have not changed.
Emergency Management
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Montgomery Catholic Holds Live School Emergency Preparedness Exercise
Montgomery Catholic hosted a planned live exercise on July 30 with faculty, law enforcement, emergency services, hospitals and 911 personnel practicing coordination for a possible school emergency.
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GAO warns of uneven capacity as FEMA responsibility faces review
A GAO review found wide gaps in state and local disaster capacity as proposed FEMA changes could shift more responsibility to states and territories.
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FEMA reform debate puts disaster aid and state roles in focus
A July hearing brought competing FEMA reform plans together, but no law has changed how disaster declarations, recovery aid or survivor assistance work.
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Flemington’s $1.39 Million Emergency Operations Center Request Advances in House Funding Bills
Rep. Thomas Kean Jr. said Flemington’s $1,387,500 Emergency Operations Center request was included in House FY2027 funding bills, but the project still needs further congressional action before any federal award or construction can begin.
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New Texas A&M Forest Service office breaks ground in Nacogdoches
A new Texas A&M Forest Service regional office is under construction at 428 NE Stallings Drive in Nacogdoches after a July 1 groundbreaking. The publicly funded facility is planned to add space for wildfire response, training, staffing and landowner assistance.
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Dorchester County Agencies Tested School Emergency Response at St. George Elementary
A planned July 22, 2026 exercise at Williams Memorial Elementary in St. George brought together school officials and multiple emergency-response disciplines before the 2026-27 school year. The district said the increased emergency activity was training only, with no actual emergency or threat.
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Bandera County requests $1.25 million for expanded flood-warning network after July flooding
Bandera County commissioners approved submitting a request for up to $1.25 million in state funding for new flood gauges, outdoor warning signals and public education. The proposal follows July flooding that prompted evacuations, closed Bandera City Park and shut numerous roads, but it is not yet a confirmed award or installed system.
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Spokane-area wildfires destroy 600 structures and force 60,000 to evacuate
Spokane-area wildfires had forced about 60,000 people to evacuate and destroyed at least 600 structures by August 3, disrupting shelter, schools and courts.
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Cibolo-Area Roads Closed as Cibolo Creek Flooding Prompted Evacuation Warnings
Cibolo Creek rose to approximately 22.5 feet on July 16, prompting a voluntary Guadalupe County evacuation notice, Schertz evacuation orders and closures at crossings serving Cibolo-area travelers.
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Spokane-area wildfires leave hundreds of structures destroyed as evacuations continue
The Old Trails, Fairview and Meadowview fires are being managed as the Spokane Complex after preliminary reports put structure losses at roughly 600 to 640 and evacuations at about 60,000 people.
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Punta Gorda emergency operations center expansion reaches construction-document and pricing stage
Charlotte County says it has received construction documents for the planned Emergency Operations Center and Public Safety Department expansion at 26571 Airport Road in Punta Gorda. Florida Premier Contracting is developing a Guaranteed Maximum Price for the work, while the county still lists the project phase as design development.
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Missouri emergency order for severe storms and flash flooding is set to remain in force through Aug. 10
Missouri’s emergency order for severe storms, flooding and flash flooding activates the state emergency operations plan and is scheduled to end Aug. 10 unless extended.
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Utah emergency declaration covers 3 counties after wildfire impacts and flooding
Gov. Spencer Cox declared a state of emergency July 22 for Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties as communities respond to wildfire impacts and dangerous flooding.
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Wildfire smoke alert covered St. Paul as heat index neared 100 degrees
A National Weather Service outlook dated July 15 identified an Air Quality Alert for St. Paul and Ramsey County for the following day, citing smoke moving southeast from northern Minnesota wildfires.
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Carson City schedules Aug. 6 public review of hazard plan addressing cyber risks
Carson City’s updated 2026 Hazard Mitigation Plan identifies information-technology security and cyber events among the technological hazards considered in the city’s planning framework.
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Flash Flood Warning issued for St. Louis after 1 to 2 inches of rain
A National Weather Service Flash Flood Warning covered the City of St. Louis until 7:30 p.m. CDT on July 4, 2026, after radar indicated thunderstorms and 1 to 2 inches of rainfall.
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San Antonio seeks public input for hazard-mitigation plan
San Antonio opened a community survey and scheduled three virtual meetings as part of its hazard-mitigation planning process. The survey was scheduled to close July 31, 2026.
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Utah Emergency Declaration Keeps Wildfire-Flood Response Active in 3 Counties
Gov. Spencer Cox’s July 22 declaration activates Utah’s emergency plan for Beaver, Piute and Sevier counties as officials assess washed-out roads, damaged water systems and wildfire-related flood risks.
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Pennsylvania Lawsuit Puts Nearly $6 Million in Emergency Funding at Issue
Gov. Josh Shapiro’s July 23 lawsuit challenges federal election-related grant conditions. It does not change how Pennsylvanians register, vote or have ballots audited.
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Enon Storm Damage Downed Trees, Damaged Homes and Power Lines on July 17
A July 17 storm caused localized damage in Enon near Pleasant Street and North Xenia Road, including snapped trees, damaged homes, vehicles and power lines.
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Westcliffe remains a recovery hub as Aspen Acres reentry continues
Westcliffe remains Custer County’s recovery hub for Aspen Acres reentry cards, road information and fire updates as access changes in phases.
