WP EXCLUSIVE
As Texas flooded, key staff say FEMA’s leader could not be reached

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s acting administrator, David Richardson, is often inaccessible, several current and former officials say, raising concerns within the agency.

September 24, 2025 at 2:50 p.m. EDT Yesterday at 2:50 p.m. EDT


Federal Emergency Management Agency acting administrator David Richardson testifies July 23 on Capitol Hill before a House Transportation subcommittee. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

By Brianna Sacks

On a Friday morning in July, shortly after deadly Independence Day floods swept through parts of Texas Hill Country packed with camps full of young children, the Federal Emergency Management Agency scrambled to coordinate a response. The next afternoon, teams readied search-and-rescue crews, imagery and other emergency equipment. Then their hustling hit a roadblock.

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By Brianna Sacks
Brianna Sacks explores how climate change is transforming the United States through catastrophic events. She deploys to disaster zones for intense, on-the-ground reporting, as well as does investigative, accountabiliy, and enterprise reporting on how disasters impact all facets of life.