From HSToday: Billion-Dollar Disaster Tracker Discontinued by NOAA, But Nonprofit Keeps the Data Alive

“For decades, NOAA’s Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters database has been a go-to resource for tracking the rising cost and human toll of extreme weather in the United States. But earlier this year, NOAA announced that the database, covering 45 years of hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and more, would stop receiving updates after 2024. And that has left a data gap at a time when climate-related disasters are accelerating.

Thankfully, organizations like Climate Central, Inc., a policy-neutral 501(c)(3) nonprofit, are stepping in to fill the void.

For a deeper dive into the data and what it means for disaster resilience in the U.S., you can read the full Climate Central story here.

From CNN:  FEMA plans to release nearly $1 billion in security funding after CNN report on proposal to slash it

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency is making nearly $1 billion in disaster preparedness and homeland security funding available to communities nationwide, just one week after CNN reported on the agency’s proposed plan to slash the programs at the direction of the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA.

In a notice sent to states Friday, which CNN obtained from one of the states, FEMA announced it is now taking applications for more than a dozen grant programs “making nearly $1 billion available to communities across the country.”

Just days ago, those grants were on the verge of being cut, according to internal memos signed by acting FEMA administrator David Richardson and approved by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, CNN reported last week. “

From EEnews.com: FEMA chief has 2 jobs, raising concern in heart of hurricane season. Acting Administrator David Richardson also oversees the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office.

“The head of the nation’s disaster agency holds a second senior position in the Trump administration, raising new questions about the government’s capabilities as peak hurricane season approaches.

The acting administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, David Richardson, also oversees a federal program that protects the nation from weapons of mass destruction.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA and the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office, confirmed to POLITICO’s E&E News on Thursday that Richardson holds two presidential appointments.”

The obvious question is can he do both well?

From HSToday: FEMA Publishes Notices of Funding Opportunity for Flood and Earthquake Assistance

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has published two Notices of Funding Opportunity, making millions in federal funding available to help states and territories protect their communities from floods and earthquakes. Both floods and earthquakes can happen nearly anywhere with little warning, and they both can cause mass devastation to American communities. These funds demonstrate how FEMA is returning to its core mission: safeguarding the American people and increasing state, local, tribal and territorial capability to respond to and recover from disasters.”

“With these funding opportunities, we are empowering states to take charge of their disaster preparedness,” said Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator David Richardson. “States and local governments know what their communities need, and they can use this money to get it. The more we build resilience at the state and local level, the more prepared our nation will be.”

“The announcement comes after a critical evaluation of all grant programs and recipients to root out waste, fraud and abuse and deliver accountability for the American taxpayer. Unlike the previous administration, recipients of grants will no longer be permitted to use federal funds to house illegal immigrants at luxury hotels, fund climate change pet projects or empower radical organizations with unseemly ties that don’t serve the interest of the American people.”

From HStoday: New Study Explores Emergency Management Agency Challenges, Staffing Shortfalls, and Need for Standardization

From the WashingtonMonthly: The Republican Disaster Relief Disaster and the Democratic path forward.  Trump’s high rejection rate of disaster aid requests is indicative of a radical libertarian view of the federal government, which Democrats know how to skewer.

The Diva does not usually post partisan material, but it is worth considering.

Thanks to Peg for the citation.

From HSToday: New Study Explores Emergency Management Agency Challenges, Staffing Shortfalls, and Need for Standardization

“A comprehensive new report by the Argonne National Laboratory reveals the results of the Emergency Management Organizational Structures, Staffing, and Capacity Study — the most wide-ranging effort to date examining how public sector emergency management (EM) agencies are structured, staffed, and operate across the United States.”

“Focusing on local, state, and territorial emergency management offices, the study captures both quantitative and qualitative data to better understand agency characteristics, persistent challenges, and factors that contribute to effective service delivery.”

From HSToday: PERSPECTIVE: The Technological Transformation of Emergency Management: Part II. Building Trust and Efficiency Through AI Integration

“Rebuilding Trust Through Smarter Support

Artificial intelligence is everywhere, but for emergency management professionals, the real question is how to use it meaningfully. In a field where public trust, speed, and accuracy are critical, AI must be more than a buzzword. It must be a tool that helps agencies deliver faster, more transparent, and more survivor-centered support.

Emergency managers are under growing pressure to do more with fewer resources. Staff turnover, inconsistent training, and outdated systems make it difficult to deliver consistent, high-quality support. Many agencies still lack the tools to track survivor experiences in real time or identify systemic issues before they escalate. AI, when implemented strategically, can help bridge these gaps. It can improve operations, boost staff effectiveness, and restore trust in the system.”

( Note: The first segment of this article was posted earlier.)

From CNN: Exclusive: ‘A more vulnerable nation’: FEMA memos lay out risks of plan to cut $1B in disaster and security grants

” The Federal Emergency Management Agency has proposed cutting nearly $1 billion in grant funding that communities and first responders nationwide use to better prepare for disasters and to bolster security for possible terror or cyberattacks.

The proposed cuts, which still require approval from the White House budget office and Congress, would zero out funding for more than half of FEMA’s emergency management and homeland security grant programs, according to internal memos and two FEMA officials familiar with the plans.

This comes amid an overhaul of the disaster relief agency at the hands of the Trump administration, which seeks to drastically shrink FEMA’s footprint and shift more responsibility for disaster preparedness, response and recovery onto states. The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, has looked at slashing grant funding as part of that effort. “

From The Hill: Bipartisan lawmakers propose making FEMA a Cabinet-level agency

https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5419168-fema-presidential-cabinet-level/amp

“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would be a Cabinet-level agency that reports directly to the president under a new bipartisan bill.

The proposal comes as the Trump administration weighs changes at or even abolishing the emergency management agency.”