From HStoday: Lawmakers Renew Calls to Fix “Broken” Disaster Response System

https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/emergency-preparedness/lawmakers-renew-calls-to-fix-broken-disaster-response-system

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee renewed its push for sweeping reform of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) this week, with lawmakers and emergency management leaders examining proposals they say would fundamentally reshape how the federal government prepares for, responds to, and recovers from disasters.

The hearing brought together former FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate, local government officials, utility and insurance industry leaders, and business representatives to discuss long-term changes to the nation’s disaster response framework.

In his opening remarks, Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) argued that years of incremental reforms have failed to address systemic problems within the agency.

From CNN: ‘Large and deadly’ flood waves threaten Texas Hill Country. Water rescues are underway as relentless rain hits the same area of last year’s Camp Mystic flooding./

https://www.cnn.com/2026/07/16/weather/live-news/texas-flash-flooding-camp-mystic-climate

From HLSW: Congress Set to Overhaul Disaster Recovery, Speeding Up New Home Builds

There are a lot of ways for disaster victims to get help in the immediate aftermath of a flood or fire, and now there is a new way: A little-noticed section in a bipartisan housing bill could accelerate new construction after major disasters.

From WashPost: Assigning FEMA staff to immigration enforcement hurt disaster work, House report says

“The findings by a group of House Democrats show how FEMA staffers were put to work in immigration enforcement and administrative roles, among others, straining the agency’s disaster response ability.”

From: HSNW: Sea-Level Rise Has Increased Frequency of Extreme Coastal Flooding Worldwide

“Human-caused sea-level rise has significantly increased the frequency of extreme coastal flooding worldwide. New research found that coastal flooding events expected only once every 100 years are now, on average, about 12 times more likely to occur.”

From KATU2: City of Salem sues DHS, FEMA over DEI conditions tied to disaster relief funding

“The City of Salem has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), arguing the Trump administration is unlawfully attaching political conditions to disaster relief grants.

The lawsuit was filed June 30 in the U.S. District Court in Eugene. The city declined further comment on the pending litigation.

According to the 71-page complaint, the city of Salem argues DHS and FEMA grant requirements go beyond what Congress authorized by tying disaster funding to policies involving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), immigration enforcement, gender identity, and compliance with executive orders unrelated to disaster recovery.”

The impact and number of people affected are staggering. Also extraordinary are the nation’s lack of seismic safety construction standards and inept response and recovery personnel and procedures.

From NPR on July 1: Untold casualties and humanitarian needs: What to know a week from Venezuela’s quakes. https://www.npr.org/2026/07/01/nx-s1-5877369/venezuela-earthquakes-updates

From HSNW: CLIMATE-CHANGE CHALLENGES: Across Europe, Heat Adaptation Plans Are Being Put to a Brutal Test

https://www.homelandsecuritynewswire.com/topics/continuity-recovery

As global warming relentlessly continues to push temperatures upward, cities across Europe rehearsing what it might be like to live in the future when temperatures are projected to hit 122 degrees Fahrenheit. Those strategies are now being put to one of their biggest tests.

From CNN: FEMA official who claimed he teleported to Waffle House ousted from agency, sources say. https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/25/politics/fema-official-gregg-phillips-ousted-agency

A top FEMA official who had drawn scrutiny for bizarre past remarks — including claiming he teleported to a Waffle House — has been pushed out of the agency, four sources tell CNN.

White House officials appointed Gregg Phillips in December to lead FEMA’s Office of Response and Recovery, one of the agency’s most consequential leadership roles, despite his history of promoting election conspiracy theories, particularly in the aftermath of the 2020 election. He came under national scrutiny in March after CNN reported on a cache of outlandish comments from his appearances on right-wing podcasts, including the teleportation claim.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, confirmed Thursday that Phillips is leaving the agency, saying he is taking leave for personal reasons. But sources tell CNN the departure was not voluntary: New DHS leadership had grown weary of the embarrassment surrounding Phillips’ public image and of his periodic clashes with the department’s other leaders.

From Homeland Security Today: DOT Announces $1.9B to Repair State Roads and Bridges Damaged by Natural Disasters
https://www.hstoday.us/subject-matter-areas/transportation/dot-announces-1-9b-to-repair-state-roads-and-bridges-damaged-by-natural-disasters/

“U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has announced $1.86 billion in emergency relief funding to help states accelerate critical repairs to roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure damaged by recent natural disasters and catastrophic events. The funding includes more than $908 million to repair damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

This investment brings the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) total infrastructure commitment for Hurricane Helene damage to $3.4 billion across all impacted states, with $2.9 billion to North Carolina alone.

As hurricane season begins, we’re reminded that when disaster strikes, its essential leaders mobilize quickly to help American families in need,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy. “Our roads and bridges are essential infrastructure that keep our local economies moving. That’s why the Trump Administration is getting these critical dollars out the door so communities can rebuild their transportation networks immediately.”