{"id":2572848,"date":"2026-02-24T07:10:01","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T12:10:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fema-strained-by-dhs-shutdown-during-winter-storms\/"},"modified":"2026-02-24T07:15:41","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T12:15:41","slug":"fema-strained-by-dhs-shutdown-during-winter-storms","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/fema-strained-by-dhs-shutdown-during-winter-storms\/","title":{"rendered":"FEMA strained by DHS shutdown during winter storms"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">16<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Ffema-strained-by-dhs-shutdown-during-winter-storms%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2572848&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>heavy winter storms across the Northeast, wiht significant accumulations in places like Rhode Island, New York City, and philadelphia, are heightening urgency in Washington over Homeland Security funding as a partial DHS shutdown continues. The weather is adding stress too FEMA, which is operating under tighter resource constraints: travel for FEMA and othre DHS agencies is paused except for life-saving needs, and non-essential recovery work has been put on hold despite ongoing storms and emergencies. About 300 FEMA personnel preparing to deploy were reportedly told to stand down, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/supreme-court-rejects-challenge-to-biden-wealth-tax-plan\/\" title=\"Supreme Court dismisses challenge to Biden&#039;s &#039;wealth tax&#039; proposal\">reflecting broader efforts<\/a> to conserve resources during the funding lapse. The agency\u2019s Disaster Relief Fund remains available (roughly $7 billion as of December), but ongoing recovery projects and new initiatives are largely stalled without Congress\u2019 funding.<\/p>\n<p> governors in several states\u2014New York,New Jersey,Connecticut,and Massachusetts\u2014have declared emergencies,restricting non-essential travel and underscoring the pressure on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/low-morale-from-seattle-police-department-harms-public-safety-mayor-announces-2-million-recruitment-plan\/\" title=\"\u2018Low Morale\u2019 From Seattle Police Department Harms Public Safety, Mayor Announces  Million Recruitment Plan\">emergency response systems<\/a>.While life-saving missions continue, experts warn that staffing reductions and stricter approvals could slow deployments and hinder recovery as the next storm season approaches. The article notes that federal help for winter storms is typically more limited than for hurricanes or wildfires, and that rapid snowmelt could later trigger flooding, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/big-day-for-the-commonwealth-virginia-governor-youngkin-scoops-wizards-and-capitals-from-dc\/\" title=\"Virginia Governor Youngkin scores major wins for the Commonwealth, snatching Wizards and Capitals from DC\">requiring careful planning<\/a> and coordination at the federal level.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Winter storms collide with shutdown fight, putting pressure on FEMA<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2514335\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>Heavy snow, grounded flights, and school closures <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/infrastructure\/4467175\/winter-storm-hernando-brings-blizzard-conditions-dumps-snow-new-york-city\/\">across the Northeast<\/a> are adding urgency to Washington&rsquo;s fight over <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/senate\/4457612\/dhs-shutdown-congress-skips-town-without-deal-ice\/\">Homeland Security funding<\/a>, with the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/fema\/\">Federal Emergency Management Agency<\/a> facing new operational strain as a partial shutdown drags on.<\/p>\n<p>The latest winter storm has <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/energy-and-environment\/4466655\/east-coast-blizzard-weekend-european-american-disparity\/\">dumped more than 30 inches of snow<\/a> in some areas, with at least five states reporting totals of more than 2 feet. Providence, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/rhode-island\/\" id=\"1518\">Rhode Island<\/a>, is experiencing its largest snowstorm on record, while <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york-city\/\" id=\"286\">New York City<\/a> and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/philadelphia\/\" id=\"901\">Philadelphia<\/a> are seeing their heaviest snowfall in years.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4464249\/houses-votes-bills-donald-trump-mike-johnson\/\">House returns with several efforts to rebuke Trump policies waiting<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4468561\/republican-house-cartels-death-mexico-kingpin\/\">Republicans make new House push on cartels after death of Mexico kingpin<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4468509\/tony-gonzales-calls-resign-bow-out-2026-race-staffer-affair\/\">Pressure mounts on Tony Gonzales to step down over sexually explicit messages to late staffer<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>As the partial DHS shutdown stretches on amid a funding standoff in Congress, internal agency directives <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4463197\/trump-administration-halts-fema-deployment-shutdown\/\">have paused disaster-response travel nationwide,<\/a> according to agency communications and people familiar with the decision, leaving hundreds of FEMA personnel awaiting deployment even as severe weather unfolds. The stop-travel order took effect Feb. 18 and applies to DHS-funded travel for the duration of the funding lapse, according to internal messages.<\/p>\n<p>The decision came as roughly 300 FEMA personnel were preparing for deployment before being told to stand down, according to reports.<\/p>\n<p>The travel restrictions stem from broader DHS efforts to conserve resources during the funding lapse. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dhs.gov\/news\/2026\/02\/22\/1-week-democrats-shutdown-dhs-implements-emergency-measures-conserve-resources-and\">In a Feb. 22 statement, <\/a>the agency said it would take steps to manage operations ahead of a potential shutdown.<\/p>\n<p>Under FEMA&rsquo;s emergency operating status, the agency has shifted to bare-minimum, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/houthis-raid-a-un-facility-in-yemens-capital-staff-safe\/\" title=\"Houthis raid a UN facility in Yemen&#039;s capital, staff safe\">life-saving operations<\/a>, according to internal guidance. Beginning Feb. 22, FEMA halted non-essential activities, paused most non-emergency recovery work, and limited travel and deployments to active disasters where there is an immediate threat to life, public health, or safety. Funding for ongoing recovery projects, long-term planning, and new initiatives has largely been put on hold until monetary support is restored.<\/p>\n<p>Funding for emergency declarations and disaster response remains available through FEMA&rsquo;s Disaster Relief Fund, a separate account unaffected by the DHS funding lapse. The fund <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"http:\/\/fema.gov\/about\/reports-and-data\/disaster-relief-fund-monthly-reports\">held roughly $7 billion<\/a> as of December.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The Disaster Relief Fund allows FEMA to work no matter if there&rsquo;s a shutdown or not,&rdquo; a former FEMA official told the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em>, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the situation candidly. &ldquo;But when you say nobody can travel, even for active disasters, that really hampers operations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Any new disasters, they can&rsquo;t travel like they normally would to work with state and local governments,&rdquo; the official added. &ldquo;That&rsquo;s going to have a big impact.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>FEMA did not directly respond to a request for comment from the <em>Washington Examiner<\/em> about the travel restrictions or how the shutdown could affect operations.<\/p>\n<p>FEMA coordinates federal disaster response and oversees relief funding. While states and local governments typically handle the early stages of winter storm response, prolonged recovery efforts often depend on federal support once local resources are stretched.<\/p>\n<p>The shutdown fight comes as FEMA <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3780854\/fema-employees-trump-risk-hurricane-katrina\/\">has already been navigating workforce reductions.<\/a> Earlier this year, the agency stopped renewing contracts for CORE employees, term-limited staff who often hold senior disaster-response roles.<\/p>\n<p>The former FEMA official said additional cuts in recent weeks have left the agency increasingly thin at a time when emergency managers are preparing for unpredictable events.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The roles are very slim as to the people with real experience in disaster response,&rdquo; the official said. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s that no-notice event that worries people. If something happens suddenly, you need experienced staff ready to move.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>While life-saving missions continue, three current FEMA employees tell the <em>Washington Examiner <\/em>added approval requirements and travel restrictions are slowing deployments and delaying recovery work.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s not an ideal situation, and this upcoming storm season in the summer could be brutal for those of us left,&rdquo; said a FEMA employee speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Winter storms present a different challenge than hurricanes or wildfires, and FEMA&rsquo;s role is often more limited. States and <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >localities generally handle snow removal<\/a> and immediate response, with federal assistance coming later if damage escalates or secondary issues emerge.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;We always said &lsquo;no dough for snow states,&rsquo;&rdquo; the former FEMA official said, noting that communities in northern regions are typically prepared for winter weather. Still, the official said FEMA can assist with warming shelters, generators, and mission assignments if conditions worsen.<\/p>\n<p>The larger concern, the former official said, may come after the snow stops falling.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;With this much snow, the next question is what happens when it melts,&rdquo; the former official said. &ldquo;Normally, FEMA would already be looking ahead at flooding risks and planning for what comes next.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>As temperatures rise, rapid snowmelt can trigger flooding, requiring federal coordination and advance planning. FEMA typically monitors snowpack and flooding potential early, but staffing and operational limits could complicate that work.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;If communities aren&rsquo;t able to get started in their recovery work,&rdquo; the official said, &ldquo;that will really hamper it.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Governors in <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-york\/\" id=\"61\">New York<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/new-jersey\/\" id=\"1065\">New Jersey<\/a>, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/connecticut\/\" id=\"32\">Connecticut<\/a>, and <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/massachusetts\/\" id=\"344\">Massachusetts<\/a> declared states of emergency ahead of the storm, restricting non-essential travel and underscoring the growing pressure on emergency response systems.<\/p>\n<p>The timing could reshape the politics of the shutdown fight. Lawmakers remain locked in a funding standoff, but visible weather emergencies often increase scrutiny of federal preparedness and the real-world consequences of budget battles.<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/4463197\/trump-administration-halts-fema-deployment-shutdown\/\"><strong>TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HALTS FEMA DEPLOYMENT OF AID WORKERS DURING DHS SHUTDOWN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>Those with experience within the agency say FEMA&rsquo;s workforce continues to prioritize immediate response needs, even under constraints.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Emergency managers are going to do whatever it takes,&rdquo; the former official said. &ldquo;But they&rsquo;re doing it with fewer people.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Snowstorms strain DHS funding fight, pressuring FEMA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2657,"featured_media":2572849,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26054746562815.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[7492,18818,5123],"class_list":["post-2572848","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-dhs","tag-fema","tag-shutdown"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/AP26054746562815.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2657"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2572848"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572848\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2572852,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2572848\/revisions\/2572852"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2572849"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2572848"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2572848"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2572848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}