FEMA is laying the groundwork for significant changes in its approach to disaster management, instructing states to prepare for handling disasters independently. The agency aims to decentralize its operations, potentially reducing central oversight from Washington, D.C., and realigning regional offices. This shift follows warnings from FEMA officials about the expectation for states to face disasters without federal aid, coupled with a push from the Trump administration to transfer disaster relief responsibilities from the federal government to the states. As debates around disaster aid delays intensify, this move may also influence voter sentiment in upcoming elections.