The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) struggled to respond to deadly floods in Texas Hill Country due to its acting administrator, David Richardson, being inaccessible during the crisis. A policy instituted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem requires approval from her for any expenditure over $100,000, making it challenging for FEMA officials to deploy resources quickly.
According to eight current and former officials with knowledge of the situation, Richardson was unreachable for about 24 hours after the disaster struck, despite being on vacation with his sons. The agency’s typical posture is to provide resources before state and local governments even have to ask for help, as minutes can cost lives.
FEMA’s urban search-and-rescue teams took nearly four days to arrive in Texas, limiting access to high-level resources and expertly trained crews during a critical window when responders were still searching for missing people. The delays may have put lives at risk.
Richardson, a former Marine Corps artillery officer, has been criticized for his limited accessibility during emergencies. Former administrators and officials say he rarely uses government communication and top-security phones, preferring to stay in his office and have limited face-to-face interactions with employees.
The agency’s leadership is currently under scrutiny due to its response to the Texas floods, which serves as a warning for states less equipped to handle catastrophes. Disaster experts emphasize that hesitation can be a national vulnerability, and effective leadership is crucial during crises.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2025/09/24/fema-administrator-david-richardson-texas-floods