Sarah Labowitz
@sarahlabo.bsky.social
I study adaptation through climate disasters at @carnegieendow and find ways to tell stories at @UNTOLD
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
Hurricane Katrina was a “before-and-after moment” for emergency management in the U.S., says @sarahlabo.bsky.social. The Trump administration’s cuts to FEMA are setting 2025 up to be another.
Sarah explained on @kcrw.com: www.kcrw.com/news/shows/p...
Sarah explained on @kcrw.com: www.kcrw.com/news/shows/p...
20 years after Katrina, FEMA is under threat | Press Play
President Trump has said he wants to get rid of FEMA and shift relief responsibility to the states. FEMA employees say this leaves the U.S. unprepared for the next Hurricane Katrina.
www.kcrw.com
August 27, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Hurricane Katrina was a “before-and-after moment” for emergency management in the U.S., says @sarahlabo.bsky.social. The Trump administration’s cuts to FEMA are setting 2025 up to be another.
Sarah explained on @kcrw.com: www.kcrw.com/news/shows/p...
Sarah explained on @kcrw.com: www.kcrw.com/news/shows/p...
Thanks for having me on to talk about #disasters and FEMA @pbsnews.org! www.youtube.com/live/6Vp2LAZ...
PBS News Hour live episode, Aug. 8, 2025
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
www.youtube.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:29 PM
Thanks for having me on to talk about #disasters and FEMA @pbsnews.org! www.youtube.com/live/6Vp2LAZ...
I wrote about the relationship between the state and #FEMA in Texas and how much we rely on federal help to recover from disasters @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/opinion/texa...
Opinion: Texas Relies on FEMA More Than State Leaders Care to Admit
The Trump administration wants to “rebrand” the agency to emphasize states’ roles in disaster response. But Texas’s history shows just how much it relies on federal funding.
www.texasmonthly.com
July 30, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I wrote about the relationship between the state and #FEMA in Texas and how much we rely on federal help to recover from disasters @texasmonthly.bsky.social www.texasmonthly.com/opinion/texa...
Talking with @texasnewsdude.bsky.social at noon central today (Wed 7/30) about #flooding in Texas www.tpr.org/people/david... @texasstandard.bsky.social
David Martin Davies
David Martin Davies can be reached at dmdavies@tpr.org and on Twitter at @DavidMartinDavi
www.tpr.org
July 30, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Talking with @texasnewsdude.bsky.social at noon central today (Wed 7/30) about #flooding in Texas www.tpr.org/people/david... @texasstandard.bsky.social
Acting #FEMA Administrator Richardson said today that the response in Texas was nearly perfect (we'll see). But what about all the other places that are waiting and waiting for FEMA to show up? I talked to Mayor @caraspencer.bsky.social in STL to find out. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Trump has turned FEMA itself into a disaster
The Trump administration is mired in delays for deciding on governors’ requests for FEMA help.
www.washingtonpost.com
July 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Acting #FEMA Administrator Richardson said today that the response in Texas was nearly perfect (we'll see). But what about all the other places that are waiting and waiting for FEMA to show up? I talked to Mayor @caraspencer.bsky.social in STL to find out. www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
🧵President Trump and his administration frame disaster recovery as a question of state-level self-sufficiency. But does that reflect the reality? Some of our Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics scholars provide some clarity.
June 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
🧵President Trump and his administration frame disaster recovery as a question of state-level self-sufficiency. But does that reflect the reality? Some of our Sustainability, Climate, and Geopolitics scholars provide some clarity.
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
Even in states with big economies – like Texas and Florida – rebuilding after a disaster without federal assistance is functionally impossible. @sarahlabo.bsky.social breaks it down: youtube.com/shorts/fTR5D...
Disaster Recovery: Can States Pick Up the Tab?
YouTube video by Carnegie Explains
youtube.com
June 30, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Even in states with big economies – like Texas and Florida – rebuilding after a disaster without federal assistance is functionally impossible. @sarahlabo.bsky.social breaks it down: youtube.com/shorts/fTR5D...
Hurricane season is off to a rocky start. For some disasters, the admin is taking *months* to approve governors' requests for disaster declarations that activate federal help. Average number of outstanding requests in the 2 weeks before hurricane season for the last decade: 4. This year? 13.
June 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Hurricane season is off to a rocky start. For some disasters, the admin is taking *months* to approve governors' requests for disaster declarations that activate federal help. Average number of outstanding requests in the 2 weeks before hurricane season for the last decade: 4. This year? 13.
Spreading out disaster risk across a big and rich country makes so much more sense than concentrating the risk in a few states. Our latest on the start of hurricane season, with @leonardom-d.bsky.social & Debbra Goh carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Trump’s Plan to Push FEMA’s Role to the States Will Be a Fiscal Disaster
Many states are not equipped to handle their own recovery without federal help.
carnegieendowment.org
June 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Spreading out disaster risk across a big and rich country makes so much more sense than concentrating the risk in a few states. Our latest on the start of hurricane season, with @leonardom-d.bsky.social & Debbra Goh carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Mystery and intrigue are no way to prepare for a disaster. States need an on ramp for major changes in funding and responsibility for disaster recovery. wapo.st/45RTx2B
Trump says governors should be able to handle disasters without FEMA
In remarks to reporters, the president said the administration plans to “wean” states off FEMA assistance after hurricane season ends.
wapo.st
June 11, 2025 at 1:00 AM
Mystery and intrigue are no way to prepare for a disaster. States need an on ramp for major changes in funding and responsibility for disaster recovery. wapo.st/45RTx2B
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
The Trump administration’s cuts to critical FEMA programs have left communities – even in red counties – struggling to pick up the pieces.
@sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in on support for one cancelled program for @nytimes.com:
@sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in on support for one cancelled program for @nytimes.com:
June 9, 2025 at 4:05 PM
The Trump administration’s cuts to critical FEMA programs have left communities – even in red counties – struggling to pick up the pieces.
@sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in on support for one cancelled program for @nytimes.com:
@sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in on support for one cancelled program for @nytimes.com:
Investing in creatives to be creative is the work of “narrative.”
In spaces I’m in, “narrative” is abstract. It’s reports, trainings, prescriptions for what narrative “should” be - everything except creating compelling content about characters & events that people want to read/watch/consume.
In spaces I’m in, “narrative” is abstract. It’s reports, trainings, prescriptions for what narrative “should” be - everything except creating compelling content about characters & events that people want to read/watch/consume.
June 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Investing in creatives to be creative is the work of “narrative.”
In spaces I’m in, “narrative” is abstract. It’s reports, trainings, prescriptions for what narrative “should” be - everything except creating compelling content about characters & events that people want to read/watch/consume.
In spaces I’m in, “narrative” is abstract. It’s reports, trainings, prescriptions for what narrative “should” be - everything except creating compelling content about characters & events that people want to read/watch/consume.
The team at E&E interviewed *so many* people for this story, every one of them worried and confused about how we're going to respond to disasters this summer www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
Chaos at FEMA, NOAA as hurricane season starts
Faltering forecasts, fired experts and whipsawing policy changes are raising questions about how the Trump administration will respond to disasters this
www.eenews.net
June 2, 2025 at 11:55 PM
The team at E&E interviewed *so many* people for this story, every one of them worried and confused about how we're going to respond to disasters this summer www.eenews.net/articles/cha...
@arunadsouza.bsky.social gives Vincent Valdez all of his flowers in this portrait 🌸🌺🌼. If you don’t know Vincent’s gorgeous work that holds a mirror up to all of us, this is a great place to start. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/a...
A ‘Chicano Hieronymus Bosch’ Has an Unflinching Vision of America
www.nytimes.com
May 24, 2025 at 12:27 PM
@arunadsouza.bsky.social gives Vincent Valdez all of his flowers in this portrait 🌸🌺🌼. If you don’t know Vincent’s gorgeous work that holds a mirror up to all of us, this is a great place to start. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/23/a...
Helping these women finally get back on the field has been the highlight of 2025 so far. Good things come from supporting women’s sports ⚽️💕🌈 www.khou.com/video/news/l...
Afghan women’s soccer team holds first U.S. practice in Houston after fleeing from the Taliban
After moving around a bit, Sodaba Khinjani and some of her teammates finally settled in Houston in June 2023.
www.khou.com
May 19, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Helping these women finally get back on the field has been the highlight of 2025 so far. Good things come from supporting women’s sports ⚽️💕🌈 www.khou.com/video/news/l...
Lots of talk about TX and FL and their capacity to meet disaster needs as FEMA seeks to push responsibility for response and recovery to the state level. Since 2015, FEMA sent $6.6B to Texas for disasters and $13.2B to FL.
May 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Lots of talk about TX and FL and their capacity to meet disaster needs as FEMA seeks to push responsibility for response and recovery to the state level. Since 2015, FEMA sent $6.6B to Texas for disasters and $13.2B to FL.
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
“The U.S. federal disaster aid system, including FEMA, needs to change to deliver on a national security imperative and meet a moment.”
For notes on how it could change, read the latest from @sarahlabo.bsky.social and @leonardom-d.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
For notes on how it could change, read the latest from @sarahlabo.bsky.social and @leonardom-d.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
FEMA Needs to Change. A New Bill in Congress Shows Promise.
With hurricane season rapidly approaching, Congress and the administration need to work together to overhaul the U.S. disaster aid recovery system—not gut it.
carnegieendowment.org
May 9, 2025 at 8:45 PM
“The U.S. federal disaster aid system, including FEMA, needs to change to deliver on a national security imperative and meet a moment.”
For notes on how it could change, read the latest from @sarahlabo.bsky.social and @leonardom-d.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
For notes on how it could change, read the latest from @sarahlabo.bsky.social and @leonardom-d.bsky.social: carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
Hurricane season is just around the corner. But FEMA, already under intense scrutiny from the Trump administration, just lost its acting administrator. @sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in for @washingtonpost.com 👇
Full article here: buff.ly/4of5Lma
Full article here: buff.ly/4of5Lma
May 9, 2025 at 3:12 PM
Hurricane season is just around the corner. But FEMA, already under intense scrutiny from the Trump administration, just lost its acting administrator. @sarahlabo.bsky.social weighed in for @washingtonpost.com 👇
Full article here: buff.ly/4of5Lma
Full article here: buff.ly/4of5Lma
I have to know: is AOC on Ravelry (i.e. the best social network)?? #knitsky
Thank you, I’ll have plenty! I used to crochet a long time ago and just started knitting a few weeks ago.
It’s been a great way to stop doomscrolling and reflect 😌
I’ve finished a Sophie scarf and have started a sweater. (I’m waiting for more purple yarn & am casting on a new cardigan as I wait 🫣)
It’s been a great way to stop doomscrolling and reflect 😌
I’ve finished a Sophie scarf and have started a sweater. (I’m waiting for more purple yarn & am casting on a new cardigan as I wait 🫣)
April 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
I have to know: is AOC on Ravelry (i.e. the best social network)?? #knitsky
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
On April 28, the White House and DHS announced the FEMA Review Council “charged with streamlining operations and ensuring FEMA delivers rapid, efficient, and mission-focused relief to Americans in need.”
www.fox13news.com/news/mayor-c...
www.fox13news.com/news/mayor-c...
Mayor Castor to serve on Trump's FEMA Review Council
President Donald Trump has tapped Tampa Mayor Jane Castor to serve on the new FEMA Review Council, federal officials announced Monday.
www.fox13news.com
April 29, 2025 at 9:02 PM
On April 28, the White House and DHS announced the FEMA Review Council “charged with streamlining operations and ensuring FEMA delivers rapid, efficient, and mission-focused relief to Americans in need.”
www.fox13news.com/news/mayor-c...
www.fox13news.com/news/mayor-c...
Ag got $33.2B in the Dec 20th CR, so this is mostly programming the funds that they received last year (For context, HUD rushed to release their allocations in January). www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...
www.usda.gov
April 25, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Ag got $33.2B in the Dec 20th CR, so this is mostly programming the funds that they received last year (For context, HUD rushed to release their allocations in January). www.usda.gov/about-usda/n...
Reposted by Sarah Labowitz
Trump just denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA relief from Hurricane Helene, calling it “unwarranted.”
FEMA will stop 100% cost-share in Helene recovery • NC Newsline
"I am extremely disappointed and urge the President to reconsider FEMA’s bad decision, even for 90 days," Gov. Josh Stein said.
ncnewsline.com
April 12, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Trump just denied North Carolina’s request for FEMA relief from Hurricane Helene, calling it “unwarranted.”
The news has been flying fast and furious on FEMA. @tomwarrickac.bsky.social rounds up the highlights...
Very concerning report in the WaPo last night (following reporting by Politico and CNN) that the Trump administration is working to strip FEMA of its disaster recovery:
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Trump officials working to strip FEMA’s role in disaster recovery by Oct. 1
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi L. Noem and others are weighing whether to strip FEMA of some of its key functions, such as helping rebuild after disasters.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
The news has been flying fast and furious on FEMA. @tomwarrickac.bsky.social rounds up the highlights...