Baldwin County EMA concerned about FEMA's uncertain future as hurricane season approaches
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WKRG) — September 2020, the slow-motion disaster that was Hurricane Sally came ashore and just sat on Baldwin County.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency was an integral part of that recovery. But, changes at FEMA have left a climate of uncertainty at the Baldwin County Emergency Management Agency.
'There is an awful lot of talk about what they will do and how they will interpret the public assistance guidance,' said Baldwin County EMA Director Tom Tyler.
The Trump administration has indicated that it wants to slash funding for FEMA or even abolish the entire agency and let the states pay for their disasters.
'A very super large event would necessarily exceed the state's capacity to respond, and we would need additional help,' said Tyler.
Getting through the initial storm is not in question, according to Tyler.
'I don't worry about people pulling together and our agencies working together. I think we are as well prepared this year as we have ever been.'
It's the calm and recovery after a major storm or disaster that is uncertain.
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'Putting things back the way they used to be is a very essential part of what we want to do, and that will present challenges for sure,' said Tyler.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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