Welcome back to Meteorology Matters.
You know, we always like to dive deep into weather topics,
but today we're kind of going off the beaten path,
thinking about something that really affects everyone,
especially with all the crazy weather we've had.
We're gonna talk disaster preparedness.
All right.
And to really break it down,
we've got an expert in disaster response
and recovery with us.
Happy to be here.
So today's episode comes from a question
that's been making the rounds lately.
Okay.
What if FEMA?
FEMA?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency
just disappeared, poof, gone.
Vanished.
Could states handle huge disasters all on their own?
Oh, that's a good question.
The answer might surprise you.
Yeah, it might.
So before we get ahead of ourselves,
can you tell us what exactly FEMA does
when a disaster happens?
So think of FEMA as like the nation's emergency lifeline.
You know, in a hurricane or wildfire, earthquake,
or any big disaster overwhelms the state.
FEMA steps in.
Okay.
They coordinate the whole federal response
and they bring financial aid, supplies, logistical support.
The whole shebang.
A whole nine yards.
So they don't like take over.
You know, I've heard people say that too,
that FEMA just swoops in and takes control.
Exactly.
That's actually not true.
Okay.
What they do is they work closely
with state and local governments.
Oh, so everybody's on the same page.
Right, to make sure the resources are used properly.
Okay.
So for instance, Hurricane Ian FEMA
worked with Florida to set up centers
to give out food and water.
Right, the essentials.
To the people who needed it the most.
Yeah.
And with those wildfires in Maui,
they teamed up with agencies in Hawaii
to give people temporary housing and financial help.
Okay, that makes a lot more sense.
Yeah.
So they're not like calling all the shots.
Right.
More like.
Support.
Yeah, backup.
Yeah.
And making sure everyone's coordinated.
Exactly.
They're there to help when things get really rough.
All right, so let's play that what if game.
Okay.
Let's say FEMA is gone,
vanished.
What happens when disaster strikes?
It wouldn't be good.
Yeah.
And it would affect every state differently.
Okay.
Think about those states that get hit a lot,
like Louisiana and Florida.
Right.
Every time a hurricane hits,
they're looking at huge costs over and over.
Should recover.
Yeah, recovery would take so long,
it would really set them back in the long run.
Makes sense, those places get hit hard.
Yeah.
But what about states that don't see big disasters
all the time?
The smaller states,
especially those without a lot of resources,
they probably have the hardest time
because they just wouldn't have the money
or the infrastructure to handle a big response
by themselves.
Lynn Budd, who runs Wyoming's office of Homeland Security,
she said they depend a lot on FEMA,
trying to do what FEMA does at the state level.
Yeah.
That would be really tough.
So it's not just about knowing what to do.
Right.
It's about having what you need to do it.
And even states that think they can handle it,
might find themselves in over their heads
if a really, really big disaster happens.
Exactly.
Like the winter storm that messed up Texas in 2021,
their power went out, water system shut down.
It was bad.
It was a full blown crisis.
FEMA gave them millions in aid and a ton of supplies.
Right.
Do you think Texas could have handled that on their own?
Maybe, but it would have been a lot slower
and a lot harder for everyone.
Okay, so no FEMA equals trouble.
Got it.
Being trouble.
Are there ways around it?
Could states work together?
Well, that's the million dollar question.
And that's what a lot of people are trying to figure out.
Right.
Maybe states could team up,
share resources, help each other out.
Like a disaster response team.
Exactly.
But even then, it would be hard to coordinate everything.
Right.
And it wouldn't be as effective as a nationwide system.
That makes sense.
And then there's the National Guard.
They're really important for that initial response.
Right, like search and rescue, clearing things out.
Exactly.
But they're not meant for the long haul.
The long term stuff.
Yeah, like financial aid or rebuilding homes.
Right, they don't have the resources for that.
No, they don't have the capacity.
So just shifting things around isn't really a solution.
It's not a quick fix.
Okay, so what about nonprofits?
Okay.
Community groups, can we just rely on them?
Those groups are amazing.
Oh yeah, they do amazing work.
They really do.
But they can't do what FEMA does on such a large scale.
Right, they don't have the resources.
And imagine if every time there was a disaster,
Congress had to approve the relief effort.
Oh, that would take forever.
Talk about a gridlock.
Yeah, things would grind to a halt.
Exactly.
FEMA has resources that are already in place.
Ready to go.
Right.
Without it, it would all be so slow and complicated.
Okay, so it sounds like FEMA,
even though it's not perfect,
feels a really important role.
It does.
But I have to bring up something else
that's been in the news.
Okay.
The Homeland Security Secretary
has been saying that they wanna get rid of FEMA.
Yeah, that's right.
And that reflects something we hear a lot,
especially from some conservatives,
that FEMA is too slow.
Too much bureaucracy.
Right, and that local officials
should have more say in how the money is used.
That's right.
Are those fair criticisms?
Well, like any large organization,
FEMA has had its challenges.
Oh, okay.
But it's really important to look at the facts.
Right.
And not believe misinformation.
Because things can get pretty crazy after a disaster.
Absolutely.
People start saying all kinds of things.
Like during Hurricane Helene,
there were rumors that FEMA was out of money.
I remember that.
Because they were giving it all to undocumented immigrants.
That's not true at all.
No, those were just rumors.
Wow, people come up with some crazy stuff.
It shows why it's so important to think critically.
Yes.
And check the facts.
Especially when things are chaotic.
Exactly.
So even if there are valid criticisms of FEMA.
Right.
Is getting rid of it really possible.
Not really.
Oh.
FEMA is the law.
Oh, so it's written into law.
Yeah, to get rid of it.
Congress would have to take action.
And that's not very likely.
Especially with the way things are politically right now.
OK, so we've established that getting rid of FEMA
probably isn't happening anytime soon.
Right.
But what are the key takeaways here?
OK.
Why should people care about all of this?
The biggest point is that FEMA is crucial for disaster
response.
OK.
Especially as we see more and more extreme weather
because of climate change.
Right.
The alternatives we talked about just aren't as effective.
And they could have some unintended consequences.
Exactly.
So here's a question for everyone listening.
All right.
How ready is your state for a major disaster?
Could you really get by without federal aid?
It's something to think about.
That is a great question.
It is.
And one we should all be asking ourselves.
Absolutely.
Thanks for breaking all of this down for us.
No problem.
It's been really helpful.
Glad to help.
And remember, folks.
Yes.
If you want to stay updated on all the latest
weather news and analysis, you can
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Meteorologist.
You know, TikTok, TV meteorologists.
And on YouTube, follow Rob Jones' Hurricane.
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playlist.
We'll be back after a quick break.
It really is something we need to talk about.
Especially with climate change and its effects.
Exactly.
It's interesting.
When we think about weather and climate change,
hurricanes and wildfires usually come to mind first.
But the impact of those disasters,
it goes way beyond the immediate effects.
It really does.
Those wildfires in Maui, it wasn't just the fires
themselves.
It was people losing their homes for a long time.
The economic damage, the emotional toll.
And the whole community.
The whole island.
FEMA was there helping with all of that.
It's like a chain reaction.
It is.
One event leads to a whole bunch of other challenges.
Outcast gate.
And speaking of chain reactions,
let's talk about money.
Without FEMA, wouldn't states have to pay for everything?
Right talking billions of dollars for disaster relief.
Billions.
And that's just the initial response.
Exactly.
And there's long term recovery, fixing infrastructure,
getting the economy back on track.
It adds up so fast for states that are already
struggling financially.
It could be a catastrophe.
It's like a double whammy.
The disaster itself.
And then the financial fallout that lasts for years.
For years.
Couldn't states use their emergency funds?
Well.
Don't they have money set aside for this kind of thing?
They do, but it's usually not a lot.
Oh.
It's like your own savings.
You might have some for emergencies,
but a big unexpected expense.
It's like a car accident or medical bills.
Yeah.
Could wipe it out pretty quick.
That's a good way to put it.
Yeah.
So states might have a little bit saved up.
Right.
But not enough to cover a really big disaster.
Exactly.
And these aren't one time costs either.
No.
Climate change is making these events happen more often.
More often, more intense.
So states could be facing these massive costs again and again.
That's not sustainable.
It sounds like a recipe for disaster.
It really does.
Pun intended.
Yeah.
So if FEMA disappeared, there would
be a huge gap in our ability to respond.
A huge gap.
A big hole in our safety net.
I like that.
A gaping hole.
And that would have real consequences.
Oh, yeah.
Not just for states.
But for people in communities.
Exactly.
Who would help people who lost their homes find a place to stay.
Right.
Who would help businesses get back on their feet.
Yeah.
Who would make sure people have food, water, and medicine.
Important stuff.
It's hard to imagine trying to figure all that out.
Without an agency like FEMA.
It would be chaotic.
And we can't forget about the human side of things.
No, we can't.
Disasters are incredibly stressful.
People go through so much.
They do.
FEMA provides more than just stuff.
Yeah.
They also offer emotional support and counseling.
Right.
To help people cope and rebuild.
That's so important.
It is.
We often focus on the physical damage.
Uh-huh.
But the psychological impact can be just as bad.
Absolutely.
We've talked a lot about the downsides of not having FEMA.
Right.
But are there any potential benefits?
Hmm.
Interesting question.
Even if they weren't intentional.
Yeah.
Are there any good things that could come out of this?
One thing that might happen.
OK.
And it might not be a good thing.
Yeah.
Is that states might have to become more self-reliant.
When it comes to disasters.
Yeah.
If they knew they couldn't count on the federal government.
Right.
They might start doing more to prepare on their own.
Like a sink or swim situation?
Kind of.
It could push them to invest more.
In what kind of things?
In things like early warning systems.
OK.
Evacuation plans.
Building codes that can handle extreme weather.
So they're ready for anything.
Right.
It might also encourage more cooperation between states.
Yeah.
If they realize they need to work together.
To fill the gap.
Exactly.
So there might be some positive outcomes.
Potentially.
In terms of preparedness and collaboration.
Uh-huh.
But wouldn't there be a cost?
Oh, absolutely.
Wouldn't it create a huge difference between states
that are ready and those that aren't?
It would.
States with more money.
Yeah.
Would be able to adapt and bounce back much faster.
A lot faster.
Than states that are struggling.
Right.
And that could make existing inequalities even worse.
Yeah.
And leave some communities constantly trying to recover.
It wouldn't be fair.
No, it wouldn't.
And it brings up some important questions.
It does.
About fairness and equality in disaster response.
Who gets help and who gets left behind?
That's a tough question.
It is.
But it's one we need to ask.
Absolutely.
Speaking of tough questions.
OK.
Let's talk about politics again.
Oh, right.
Even if everyone agreed that FEMA is important.
And they don't.
Right.
Which is clearly not the case.
Yeah.
Getting anything done in politics,
especially when it comes to money, can be a nightmare.
It can.
FEMA's budget is a constant battle in Congress.
It's a battleground.
People argue about how much money they should get.
How that money should be used.
Right.
Whether they're being effective.
Yeah.
With all the division in politics right now.
It's hard.
It feels impossible to agree on these things.
It does.
So even if we all agree that disaster preparedness is
important.
Yeah.
Getting the money to actually do it
would be another fight altogether.
Exactly.
It's not just about wanting to do the right thing.
It's about having the political will and the money
to make it happen.
That's the key.
It's all connected.
The science, the politics, the economics.
It's complex.
The tangled web.
It is.
And it gets even more complicated
when you think about climate change.
Right.
It's a global issue.
It is.
Disasters don't care about borders.
They don't.
We've been talking about the US.
But other countries are dealing with the same challenges.
Absolutely.
When it comes to preparing for and responding to disasters.
They are.
What's happening in other parts of the world.
Well.
Are there any examples we can learn from?
There are.
If the US got rid of FEMA.
Yeah.
Wouldn't that go against what most countries are doing?
It would.
Most developed countries have some kind of national agency
for disaster management.
They do.
And many are making those agencies stronger.
Investing more in preparedness because of climate change.
Right.
The European Union, for example.
Yeah.
Has a pretty sophisticated system.
It does.
That coordinates assistance across all the member states.
That's right.
Countries like Japan and Australia
have really advanced early warning systems and evacuation
plans.
For earthquakes, tsunamis, wildfires.
They're ahead of the game.
In a lot of ways.
So there's a lot we can learn from other countries.
Yes.
Both good and bad example.
Absolutely.
But even with the best plans and technology,
there's always uncertainty with disasters.
Right.
Always.
We can try to predict and prepare.
But there will always be surprises.
You never know what Mother New Jersey is going to throw at you.
That's why it's so important to have a strong disaster response
system.
So important.
It's about being able to adapt.
Adapt?
And respond effectively to whatever happens.
Whatever comes our way.
Whether it's a hurricane, wildfire, earthquake.
Right.
Or something we never even thought of.
Exactly.
Being flexible and adaptable is key.
It is.
We need to be ready for anything.
Because Mother Nature always has a few tricks up her sleeve.
All this talk about the consequences of not having FEMA.
Yeah.
Makes me think about history.
OK.
Are there examples where not having a strong federal response
led to major problems?
Unfortunately, there are.
One that comes to mind right away.
Is Hurricane Katrina in 2005?
I remember that.
FEMA got a lot of criticism for how they handled that disaster.
What happened?
Especially in the first few days.
Yeah.
Aid was slow to arrive.
Oh, no.
There was confusion about evacuation orders.
And the federal, state, and local agencies
weren't working together well.
Oh, wow.
The consequences were devastating.
Yeah.
So many lives lost.
Right.
And the impact on those communities is still felt today.
It's a reminder that even with FEMA.
Yeah.
Things can still go wrong.
OK.
It shows how important it is to have an agency that's
well-funded, well-staffed, and prepared to respond.
Ready to go?
FEMA has learned from Katrina and other events.
They have.
But we can't forget that any organization can get overwhelmed.
Especially with the disaster that big.
It's a constant process of getting better and adapting.
It is.
So we can't just assume that because we have FEMA,
everything will be fine.
Right.
We have to support them.
Hold them accountable.
And make sure they have the resources they need.
To do their job.
To function effectively.
And that includes supporting policies
that address the root causes of climate change.
Yes.
Which is making these extreme weather events more common.
More common, more intense.
It's about being proactive.
Proactive.
And having a holistic approach to disaster preparedness.
Exactly.
It's about recognizing that we're all in this together.
We are.
We can't just wait for the next disaster to hit.
No, we have to be active.
We have to work together to create a safer and more resilient
future.
For ourselves.
And for future generations.
That's a powerful message.
It is.
And on that note, I think it's time to wrap up this discussion.
OK.
About disaster preparedness and the future of FEMA.
Sounds good.
We've covered a lot of complex topics.
We have.
And I've learned a lot.
Me too.
It's always interesting to explore these issues.
Yeah.
And see the different perspectives.
And I hope our listeners have a better understanding now.
I hope so too.
Of how important FEMA is.
And what could happen if it disappeared.
It would be a big loss.
And I hope they'll keep thinking about these things.
Yeah.
And talking about.
So we have more conversation.
And how we can work together.
To create a safer and more resilient future for everyone.
Because as we've talked about.
Yes.
It's not just about FEMA.
Right.
It's about all of us.
Well said.
We're back.
And this conversation has really got me thinking.
Yeah.
That's easy to just assume FEMA's always going to be there.
Right.
But when you really consider what could happen without them.
Mm-hmm.
It's a little scary.
It is.
It's like they say.
Yeah.
You don't know what you got till it's gone.
Exactly.
And if we lost FEMA.
That would be a hard lesson to learn.
For sure.
It's like a fire extinguisher.
OK.
You hope you never need it.
Right.
But you're sure glad it's there.
If you do.
I see what you mean.
But even if we all agree that FEMA's important.
Yeah.
There's still the question of how to make it better.
Of course.
No systems perfect.
Exactly.
There's always room for improvement.
Right.
And one area where I think FEMA could do a lot better.
OK.
Is working with communities.
Mm-hmm.
Especially the most vulnerable ones.
Yeah.
Can you talk more about that?
Sure.
We know that disasters hit certain groups harder than others.
Right.
Low income families.
Communities of color.
Uh-huh.
The elderly.
People with disabilities.
They often face more challenges.
Yeah.
And getting help and recovering.
Exactly.
So it's about making sure everyone has a fair chance
to bounce back.
Right.
No matter their background or situation.
That's the goal.
FEMA needs to focus on building trust
with these communities.
OK.
Understanding their specific needs.
Mm-hmm.
And making sure their programs and services
are tailored to those needs.
It's about making equity and inclusion
a core part of disaster response.
Yeah.
But one size fits all approach.
Just won't work here.
No.
It won't.
And it's not just about responding after a disaster.
Right.
It's also about trying to prevent them in the first place.
Excellent.
FEMA should be involved in helping communities
become more resilient.
Helping them identify risks.
Mm-hmm.
Develop strategies to reduce those risks.
Right.
And rebuild stronger after disaster hits.
So it's about shifting from just reacting.
Yeah.
To being more proactive and preventative.
Exactly.
It's about investing in preparedness and resilience
beforehand.
Right.
Rather than just cleaning up the mess afterward.
That makes a lot more sense in the long run.
It does.
But it also requires a big change in how we think.
Yeah.
Both as individuals and as a government.
We need to stop thinking of disasters as random events.
Right.
Things we can't control.
We need to acknowledge that our actions.
Especially climate change.
Are making these events more frequent and intense.
And we need to take responsibility.
For making our communities more resilient.
It's about giving people the tools and knowledge
they need to protect themselves.
Absolutely.
We all have a part to play in creating a safer future.
We do.
Well, I think that's a great place to end our discussion.
Sounds good.
About disaster preparedness and the future of FEMA.
It's been a good conversation.
We've explored a lot of complicated issues today.
We have.
And I've learned a lot.
I don't know about you.
Me too.
It's always interesting to delve into these topics
and hear different viewpoints.
I hope our listeners have a better understanding now.
I hope so too.
Of how important FEMA is.
It's crucial.
And what could happen if it wasn't there?
We don't want to find out.
And I hope they'll keep thinking and talking
about these issues.
Yeah, these conversations are important.
And how we can all work together to create a safer
and more resilient future for everyone.
Because it's not just about FEMA.
It's about all of us.
Well said.
That's all the time we have for today.
Thanks for listening.
And thanks for having me.
And be sure to tune in next time for another insightful episode
of Meteorology Matters.
And remember, knowledge is power.
Yes.
The more we know about the risks we face,
the better prepared we'll be to handle them.
Wise words.
Until next time.
Stay safe.
Stay informed.
And stay curious.