Partnership for Public Service statement on the 20th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina

August 25, 2025

WASHINGTON – The nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service today released the following statement from President and CEO Max Stier reflecting on the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the state of federal readiness to assist in disasters today:

“The sad reality is that two decades after one of the worst natural disasters in our nation’s history, FEMA is even less ready today to respond to a major catastrophe than it was after Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

“Back then, the writing had been on the wall. In our first Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, in 2003, FEMA ranked at the very bottom of federal agencies, which its leader unfortunately dismissed as grumbling from some disgruntled staff rather than a clear sign of the deep structural problems in the agency. Two years later, those problems came into stark focus as FEMA failed to provide communities the support they needed after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Katrina.

“Today, the administration seems determined to unlearn any lessons from that experience and discard any progress made in the intervening 20 years. FEMA has certainly not been without faults but the staggering loss of critical talent, the choice of ill-equipped leaders, the unhelpful intervention of DHS leadership, the president’s clear public disdain for the agency and the lack of a clear plan for where essential post-disaster assistance will come from all leave the agency far worse off and communities destined to be harmed.

“Congress should exercise its oversight authority to ensure that FEMA and the administration are following the laws passed after Katrina and investing in the agency to prevent history repeating itself and Americans unnecessarily suffering as a consequence.”

During the past 24 years, the nonpartisan, nonprofit Partnership for Public Service has been dedicated to building a better government and a stronger democracy. We work across administrations to help transform the way government works by providing agencies with the data insights they need to succeed, developing effective leaders, inspiring the next generation to public service, facilitating smooth presidential transitions and recognizing exceptional federal employees. 

Visit ourpublicservice.org, follow us @PublicService and subscribe today to get the latest federal news, information on upcoming Partnership programs and events, and more. 

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