FEMA Reports Unpreparedness for 2025 Hurricane Season Amid Staffing Cuts

As the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season approaches, both Tobago and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) face significant challenges in preparedness. Tobago's Emergency Management Agency director Allan Stewart acknowledges early planning efforts since February but cites funding constraints and procurement delays as major hurdles, urging residents to take greater personal responsibility. Meanwhile, internal FEMA documents reveal that the agency is not ready for the hurricane season, citing issues such as staff reductions, low morale, poor coordination with states, and a lack of training. The Trump administration’s efforts to downsize FEMA and shift disaster response responsibilities to states have contributed to these challenges, despite recent moves to reopen training centers and extend staff contracts. Experts emphasize the critical need for coordinated efforts between FEMA and state emergency management for effective disaster response and recovery. With meteorologists predicting above-average hurricane activity, concerns remain that these last-minute FEMA measures may be insufficient to address the scale of potential disasters.