April 7, 2026

Homeland Security Secretary Promises Reforms to FEMA Amid Hurricane Helene Recovery

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin visited Chimney Rock, North Carolina, to discuss reforms to FEMA's approach to disaster recovery after Hurricane Helene.
Mullin aims to shift FEMA's role from primary responder to supporting state and local governments with funding and resources.
He announced efforts to clear a backlog of home buyout requests and rescinded a previous policy that hindered FEMA's response.
Local leaders described the devastation from Hurricane Helene as a 'thousand-year storm', highlighting ongoing challenges in recovery efforts.