What Happens If FEMA Goes Away?

President Trump may recommend that FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, “goes away.” The agency has over 600 open disaster declarations in its backlog and faces long-running staffing shortages. The group's role is core to disaster recovery and prevention in the United States. It budgeted over $60 billion for disaster recovery in 2025. The Trump administration’s changes could alter the amount of federal funds sent to U.S. states, households and small businesses recovering from hurricanes, floods and wildfires. We traveled to Asheville, North Carolina to find out what would happen on the ground if FEMA is dismantled.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
01:55 Chapter 1: Billion-dollar disasters
05:06 Chapter 2: FEMA's role
07:11 Chapter 3: The FEMA Review Council
09:47 Chapter 4: Resilient infrastructure

Produced and Shot by: Carlos Waters
Edited by: Evan Lee Miller
Additional Camera by: Kaan Oguz
Senior Director of Video: Lindsey Jacobson
Graphics: Jason Reginato
Additional footage: Associated Press, FEMA, Getty Images, U.S. Fire Administration
Additional sources: Congressional Budget Office, Congressional Research Service, Dept. of Homeland Security, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Government Accountability Office, Insurance Information Institute, National Hurricane Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Pew Research Center, Rep. Chuck Edwards

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What Happens If FEMA Goes Away?

Post from CNBC on August 20, 2025

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