2 days ago
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Trump plans to phase out FEMA. Here's what it could mean if you live in a floodplain
President Donald Trump announced plans June 10 to phase out FEMA, according to a report from Reuters.
Here's what we know about FEMA:
FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency in the U.S.
On June 10, Trump said he plans to start "phasing out" FEMA after the hurricane season, according to the Reuters report. The president noted states would receive less federal aid to respond to natural disasters.
"We're going to give out less money," Trump said. "We're going to give it out directly. It'll be from thepresident's office. We'll have somebody here, could be Homeland Security."
FEMA currently oversees the distribution of financial aid to states following a president's declaration of a disaster.
State governors are being encouraged to work together in response to natural disasters, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. She believes that FEMA "fundamentally needs to go away as itexists."
"We're building communication and mutual aid agreements among states … so that they can stand on their own two feet with the federal government coming in catastrophic circumstances with funding," Noem said.
The hurricane season officially started in the U.S. on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.
This season is expected to generate as many as 10 hurricanes, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast last month.
FEMA exists to help people "before, during and after disasters," according to
The agency's core values can be found at: 'We Are FEMA' or Publication One (Pub 1).
Story continues after photo gallery.
President Jimmy Carter officially created FEMA in 1979 through an executive order, according to FEMA became part of the Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003, and has roots dating back to 1803.
FEMA may help pay for costs insurance doesn't cover up to a maximum award amount. In 2025, the maximum amounts are $43,600 for "housing assistance" and $43,600 for "other needs," according to FEMA.
Flooding causes more destruction in the United States than any other form of severe weather. It can happen anywhere, whether you live in a coastal Florida city or in the Midwest.
In the past 10 years, damage from flooding has averaged $46 billion per year, according to a report by the Congressional Budget Office, which estimates the cost will increase by as much as a third in 2050 because of climate change.
It's unclear exactly how Trump's plan to end FEMA would impact the Midwest. But the decision to give out fewer federal dollars could affect the amount of money struggling homeowners receive and how quickly that money is dispersed after a severe weather event.
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How much risk you have for flooding depends on where you live and how often floods occur. To understand your risk, it's recommended you learn whether you live in a floodplain.
Visit to find out how often floods happen in your area. Use tools, maps and past claims data to understand your flood risk and make informed decisions to stay safe.
To see if your home is situated on a floodplain, visit and enter your address at:
