ruins and millions in urgent need of aid. In such a crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would typically deploy supplies, financial relief, and emergency assistance within hours. But what if FEMA no longer existed, and states had to handle disasters alone?
With former President Donald Trump questioning FEMA’s future and proposing that states take over disaster recovery efforts, the debate over disaster management is more relevant than ever. Climate change is driving more frequent and severe catastrophes, raising concerns about whether states could cope without federal assistance.
Role of FEMA in Disaster Relief
FEMA was established in 1979 to coordinate national disaster response efforts, but the federal government has been involved in relief efforts since the 1800s. The agency steps in only after a state requests an emergency declaration, and the president approves it. This ensures FEMA’s resources are directed toward crises that exceed a state’s capacity to manage alone.
Rather than taking over state operations, FEMA acts as a crucial support system, mobilizing federal resources and financial aid to speed up recovery. During disasters, FEMA:
Coordinates Federal Assistance: In Hurricane Ian’s aftermath in 2022, FEMA worked with the U.S. Coast Guard, the Department of Defense, and search-and-rescue teams to conduct rescues, restore power, and distribute water and millions of meals.
Provides Financial Relief: In 2024 alone, FEMA provided over $1.04 billion in aid for Hurricane Milton victims, $416.1 million for Hurricane Helene, and $112.6 million for Hurricane Debby.
Delivers Essential Supplies: The agency works with nonprofits like the Red Cross and state officials to supply emergency shelters with cots, blankets, and hygiene kits while also distributing food, water, and medical aid.
FEMA also administers the National Flood Insurance Program, funds disaster preparedness training, and helps states develop emergency response plans.
What Disaster Recovery Looks Like Without FEMA
In August 2023, wildfires tore through Maui, Hawaii, leaving thousands homeless. FEMA quickly stepped in, providing emergency grants for food and essential supplies, arranging hotel rooms and rental assistance, and leasing homes through its Direct Housing Program an effort that cost $295 million but helped over 1,200 families begin rebuilding their lives. The agency even funded temporary schools for displaced students.
Without FEMA, Hawaii, a small island state with limited resources, would have struggled to mount a comparable response. The same applies to larger states that face overwhelming disasters.
When a historic winter storm crippled Texas in 2021, FEMA coordinated the delivery of water, fuel, generators, and blankets and awarded $2.8 million in emergency grants within days. Without federal aid, the crisis could have been even more devastating.
Which States Would Struggle the Most?
Without FEMA, states prone to frequent natural disasters like Louisiana and Florida would bear the heaviest financial burden, as repeated disasters would strain their budgets. Smaller, rural, and less wealthy states would also struggle, lacking the logistical infrastructure and financial resources needed for large-scale relief efforts.
“States don’t have that capability built to handle a disaster every single year,” said Lynn Budd, director of the Wyoming Office of Homeland Security. FEMA allows states to avoid costly investments in permanent disaster response infrastructure.
While states might attempt regional cooperation, these models have limitations. The National Guard could distribute supplies, but it is not designed to provide rapid financial relief, temporary housing, or long-term recovery aid. Without FEMA, poorer states would have to rely on nonprofits and community organizations, which lack the resources to provide large-scale assistance.
Even if Congress allocated funds after a disaster, aid would be delayed due to political gridlock, leaving states in limbo. Wealthier states might recover faster, but poorer communities would suffer prolonged hardship.
FEMA has faced criticism over bureaucracy and response times, but its role remains essential. As climate change fuels increasingly destructive disasters, the question isn’t just whether states can manage without FEMA—it’s whether they can afford to. The next time disaster strikes, would your state be prepared to recover without federal help?