As Hurricane Season Begins, FEMA Stands Ready to Support States, Territories Facing Potential Storms

Individuals and Communities Encouraged to Take Steps to Prepare

WASHINGTON - Today, Senior Official Performing the Duties of the FEMA Administrator Robert J. Fenton Jr. and Senior Counselor to the DHS Secretary Cameron Hamilton met with the Director of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Hurricane Center, Dr. Michael Brennan, to discuss preparedness efforts and how communities can stay safe as hurricane season officially begins. This effort is part of FEMA's broader commitment to help states, local governments, Tribal Nations and territories prepare to quickly respond to, and recover from extreme weather events this season.

"We're ready for hurricane season," said Robert J. Fenton Jr., FEMA Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator. "This is something we do every year. It's in our DNA, and everything we do builds upon getting ready for hurricane season. But, we're only one piece of that team, and the most important piece is local and state governments and, really, the American people. They need to be ready for this too."

Readiness begins long before hurricane season. FEMA runs regular exercises with governors, local officials and tribal leaders to test hurricane scenarios, enabling capability gaps to be identified and addressed. Over the past year, FEMA has trained more than a million state, local, tribal and territorial first responders, emergency managers and local leaders. Trainings focus on how to protect people and infrastructure and respond quickly and effectively to large-scale events including hurricanes, FIFA World Cup 2026™ and the yearlong Freedom 250 events. In addition to these regular exercises and training opportunities, the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Administrator and FEMA's Regional Administrators met with Emergency Management Directors from all hurricane-prone states, territories and Tribal Nations last week. During this call, the agency's senior leadership discussed FEMA's role in emergency management and emphasized how states and territories can prepare themselves. By bringing emergency managers together with FEMA Regional offices, this session enabled open coordination across the region to address needs and discuss response plans.

During hurricane season, FEMA strategically pre-positions personnel and critical supplies ahead of forecasted storms. Resources available for quick deployment include more than 300,000 generators, more than 7 million meals, 3 million liters of water and additional commodities like blankets and supplies for infants and toddlers to support affected communities, at the request of states, Tribal Nations and territories.

Now is the Time to Act

Beyond the planning and coordination between the federal government and state, local, tribal and territorial governments, every individual and family has a role to play. The best time to prepare is before an emergency or disaster strikes. Consider taking these steps to make sure you and your family are protected during the 2026 hurricane season:

Make Sure You Have Enough of the Right Kind of Insurance

• Insurance is one of the best ways to start recovery after a storm. Take some time to review your homeowners, renters and business insurance policies so you understand what kind of damages they will cover.
• Standard homeowners and renters insurance do not cover flooding. You can get flood coverage from your insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program at floodsmart.gov. Because flood insurance requires a 30-day waiting period, homeowners are encouraged to begin the process now.

Understand Your Hurricane Risks and Your Evacuation Zone

• On the coast, hurricane hazards can include storm surge, flooding, high winds or even tornadoes.
• Hurricanes can create hazards far inland, including heavy rain, flooding and winds.
• Visit Ready.gov to learn more about staying safe before, during and after a hurricane and for checklists to help you build a kit for every member of your family.
• You may need to evacuate quickly due to a hurricane, so it's important to know the route you'll take to safety. This information can make it easier to plan and respond if you are ordered to evacuate.
• Check your state or local government websites to sign up for alerts. You can also download the free FEMA App to get weather alerts and updates for up to five different U.S. locations.

Know What to Have to Stay Safe

• After a hurricane, first responders may not be able to reach your area for several days. Have enough supplies for your household, including food, water and other supplies to last for at least a week. Be sure to include any medication, cleaning and pet supplies. Visit Ready.gov/kit for a printable list you can take to the store when stocking up.
• Every family is unique, so consider your everyday needs when making a kit.
• Make sure you have a plan to keep your family connected during and after a hurricane. Visit Ready.gov/plan and use the easy, shareable "Make a Plan" fillable form with your family and loved ones.

Know Where to Get Good Information

• Listen to updates from your local television and radio stations and heed warnings from local emergency management, fire and police departments. The search function on FEMA's Search Your Location page can help you find local emergency management departments so you can sign up for alerts.
• Make sure your mobile phone's wireless emergency alert function is active. Follow local emergency management and other local officials so you can receive alerts if something happens.
• You can also download the free FEMA App to get weather alerts and updates for up to five different U.S. locations.