FEMA Restarts $1 Billion Disaster Prevention Program After Court Order

The Federal Emergency Management Agency has restarted a disaster prevention program it shut down last year, following a federal court ruling that found the cancellation was unlawful. The agency is now accepting applications for $1 billion in grants to help communities prepare for natural disasters.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Wednesday it is bringing back a disaster prevention initiative that was shut down last year, after facing court challenges over the program’s termination.

Federal District Judge Richard Stearns determined in December that the Trump administration illegally ended the FEMA grant initiative, which was created to help states and local communities prepare for natural disasters before they strike.

Earlier this month, Judge Stearns directed the agency to take additional actions to fully reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program.

“Through this funding opportunity, FEMA is making $1 billion in federal funding available to states, local governments, territories and Tribal Nations, empowering them to take decisive, proactive steps to protect their communities from potential disasters like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes,” FEMA said in a statement on Wednesday.

The agency, which operates under the Department of Homeland Security, had announced in April of last year that it would discontinue the program, describing it as wasteful, ineffective and politicized.

Since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, FEMA has experienced substantial workforce reductions.

The organization’s primary responsibility involves assisting communities before, during and following disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and flooding. The agency deploys emergency responders, relief supplies and specialized equipment to affected regions.

Democratic members of Congress have voiced criticism toward the Trump administration and former Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing them of deliberately delaying FEMA grant distributions.