Judge rules DHS plan for 50% FEMA staffing cut was unlawful
A federal judge found DHS unlawfully directed FEMA toward an 11,383-worker target, but the agency was not cut in half and employee relief remains unresolved.
FEMA
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DHS Watchdog Says FEMA Records Gap Limited Bias Review
A DHS watchdog found a FEMA crew skipped 11 Florida homes with Trump signs during Hurricane Milton and said missing records limited a broader review.
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GAO says FEMA staffing cuts may weaken disaster readiness
A federal watchdog says FEMA lost 4,321 employees in fiscal 2025 without analyzing the staffing and skills needed for major or overlapping disasters.
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FEMA aid is now available to Indiana storm victims. What residents must do before deadlines
Indiana SNAP households affected by the Aug. 11 storms have until Aug. 31, 2026, to seek replacement benefits. FEMA, state relief grants and temporary housing assistance have separate rules and county limits.
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Colorado seeks federal aid after fires, floods and debris flows
Colorado is seeking federal recovery aid after two wildfires destroyed homes and infrastructure, while burn-scar flooding continues to threaten rural communities.
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St. Louis tornado survivors can access new FEMA-funded case management
A $2.9 million FEMA grant began Aug. 1 to continue disaster case-management services for eligible St. Louis residents with unresolved tornado-related needs.
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FEMA Leadership Change Raises Capacity Questions Before Peak Hurricane Months
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton on August 7, giving FEMA a permanent administrator as hurricane activity typically peaks from August through October.
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Senate funding vote moves deadline to Dec. 11, but bill is not law
The Senate voted 90-6 on a stopgap funding bill, but the House and president must still act before the proposed December 11 deadline takes effect.
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Twenty-six jurisdictions challenge FY2026 FEMA grant conditions
Twenty-five states and Washington, D.C., are asking a Rhode Island judge to block FEMA and DHS from tying emergency grants to election and immigration terms.
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FEMA awards $2.9 million to keep St. Louis tornado recovery caseworkers on the job
A $2.9 million FEMA grant will continue St. Louis tornado disaster case management through June 2027 as residents work through long-term recovery needs.
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Milwaukee flood recovery enters a new phase as thousands of cases remain open
Nearly a year after Milwaukee’s August 2025 flood, thousands of recovery cases remained open in a March report while separate April 2026 FEMA aid and longer-term mitigation planning move forward.
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Nebraska wildfire recovery enters federal reimbursement phase as Aug. 12 trucking deadline nears
Nebraska estimates $9,686,602 in public wildfire damage as agencies document roads and power systems for possible reimbursement; limited hay-hauling relief ends Aug. 12.
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States Sue Over Conditions on Federal Disaster Funds
More than 24 states are challenging a DHS policy that would withhold 20% of certain FEMA grants unless states meet election and immigration-related conditions.
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Hoquiam moves toward North Shore Levee construction after federal funding restored
A court order restored $150 million for stalled Washington projects, including $85 million for the Aberdeen-Hoquiam Flood Protection Project. Hoquiam has awarded an initial Levee Street phase, with the full project expected to go out for bid after a grant agreement is signed.
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Federal court blocks Trump administration route for cutting state grants
A final federal court ruling blocks a major avenue the Trump administration used to terminate or withhold grants from states, California Attorney General Rob Bonta said.
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Cherokee wastewater plant relocation delayed at least a year after FEMA eligibility setback
Cherokee’s plan to relocate its flood-damaged wastewater treatment plant is delayed after FEMA determined the project did not meet a repetitive-damage requirement.
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Spokane Complex wildfire damage reaches at least 600 structures as 60,000 evacuate
The three-fire Spokane Complex caused catastrophic destruction in eastern Washington, with at least 600 structures destroyed and about 60,000 evacuations reported by Aug. 2.
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South Dakota seeks federal disaster declaration for eight counties and two reservations after severe storms
Gov. Larry Rhoden requested a presidential major disaster declaration for eight South Dakota counties and the Crow Creek and Lower Brule reservations after severe storms from June 28 through July 3.
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Rock Valley receives more than $25 million for flood recovery and buyouts
FEMA awarded Rock Valley $22 million to buy out 104 homes damaged in the 2024 flood, plus $3.5 million for cleanup and repairs.
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Hawarden receives nearly $1 million for voluntary buyouts of flood-damaged properties
Hawarden has received a $997,885 FEMA award to help acquire properties damaged in the June 2024 flooding through a voluntary buyout and mitigation program.
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Rock Rapids utility receives more than $138,000 in FEMA recovery funding
FEMA approved more than $138,000 for Rock Rapids Municipal Utility to repair or replace meters and regulators damaged in the 2024 flooding.
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Senate confirms Cameron Hamilton to lead FEMA during active wildfire and flood season
The Senate confirmed Cameron Hamilton as FEMA administrator on Aug. 7, as the agency manages more than 1,000 open disaster declarations and the administration considers changes to federal disaster aid.