ALBANY, Ga. (WALB) - U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock said he is pushing to get answers from Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on FEMA’s ability to respond to potential hurricanes in Georgia this storm season. FEMA is the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The senator provided a letter, dated June 5, that he sent to Noem. In the letter, Warnock asked for answers after a leaked internal assessment revealed that FEMA was not prepared for the current hurricane season. Warnock said this came as the federal government was trying to make cuts to FEMA’s budget.

Warnock wrote in a press release, “We have seen the devastation and the impact of hurricanes and big storms in Georgia, time and time again. We need to know if the administration is taking this seriously.”

Hurricane Helene hit Georgia and other southeastern states less than a year ago in September of 2024. Officials said Helene caused more than $6.46 billion in damage to Georgia agriculture. The senator said that the hurricane left more than a million Georgians without power, required 300 boil water advisories, damaged over 200,000 homes and left thousands displaced.

To read Senator Warnock’s full letter to Secretary Noem, click here.

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