‘The perfect storm’: Trump has left the US less prepared for natural disasters, experts say
The Guardian••nation
Key Points:
- Emergency management experts warn that under Donald Trump's administration, US capacity to prepare for and respond to natural disasters has significantly eroded due to budget cuts, staff reductions, and dismantling of climate science initiatives.
- Key agencies like FEMA and NOAA faced deep funding cuts, mass firings, and leadership instability, impairing disaster response capabilities during a year marked by multiple severe hurricanes, wildfires, and floods.
- Trump’s policies included slashing climate-resilience funding, canceling research contracts, and restricting access to critical weather and climate data, undermining both national preparedness and global scientific collaboration.
- Efforts to decentralize FEMA’s responsibilities to states have raised concerns about readiness, especially for smaller and rural communities lacking emergency management infrastructure.
- Experts emphasize the
