Don’t Kill FEMA. Fix It.

My state of Vermont is still recovering from two catastrophic floods in the past two years. That’s why I agree with President Trump that the Federal Emergency Management Agency is broken and needs serious reform if it is to meet local communities’ long-term recovery needs.

But to do away with it completely would be a disaster for red and blue states alike.

On Friday, while visiting victims of September’s Hurricane Helene in North Carolina, Mr. Trump said he was considering “getting rid of FEMA.” He now reportedly plans to sign an executive order as a step toward reshaping FEMA, which could eliminate the agency.

FEMA helps communities before, during and after disasters. The agency’s immediate disaster response — in the midst of a flood, a wildfire, tornado or other disaster — is crucial. FEMA helps Americans in times of chaos and crisis, and does it well. It is at work in Southern California helping people to recover from the devastating fires, something the president surely saw during his recent visit.

In July 2023, Vermont experienced torrential rain, which led to catastrophic flooding and landslides. Homes, farms and businesses were destroyed. Roads, rail lines, dams, bridges, wastewater plants and the post office of our capital city, Montpelier, were washed out. In July 2024, exactly one year later to the day, Vermont was again hit with brutal flooding.

FEMA’s emergency response was critical in the immediate aftermath of both floods. Emergency relief workers, in coordination with a volunteer network and state and local leaders, surged into our communities. Together, they rescued people trapped in their homes, provided displaced Vermonters with water, food, supplies and temporary shelter, and went door to door to start the recovery process. We were grateful for President Joe Biden’s quick assistance, and the immediate attention and visit to Vermont of the FEMA administrator, Deanne Criswell.

What needs to change is the agency’s long-term recovery process, which kicks in months after the floodwaters recede. There is far too much delay and bureaucracy. Disaster victims in Vermont feel it, as do disaster victims in North Carolina. More control, leadership and resources must be given to local governments to ensure that disaster recovery efforts are implemented in a timely way.