Fact Check: FEMA Calls Went Unanswered After Floods Because Noem Did Not Renew Contracts
What We Know
In the aftermath of severe flooding in Central Texas, it was reported that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) failed to answer a significant number of calls to its disaster assistance line. Specifically, documents indicate that nearly two-thirds of calls went unanswered on July 6, 2025, due to a lapse in contracts for call center staffing. This lapse occurred after Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, did not renew contracts with four call center companies until July 10, five days after the contracts expired on July 5 (New York Times, TechDirt).
On July 6, FEMA received 2,363 calls but only managed to answer 846, which is approximately 35.8% of the calls. The situation worsened on July 7, when FEMA received 16,419 calls but answered only 2,613, or around 15.9% (New York Times, Truthout). The lack of responsiveness has been attributed to the termination of hundreds of contractors who were essential for managing the call volume during the disaster (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that FEMA calls went unanswered due to Noem's failure to renew contracts is supported by multiple credible sources. The New York Times, a reputable news outlet, reported that the agency's inability to respond effectively was directly linked to the firing of contractors after their contracts expired (New York Times). This aligns with additional reports from TechDirt and Truthout, which also confirmed that the contracts were not renewed in a timely manner, leading to a significant drop in call response rates (TechDirt, Truthout).
Noem has publicly denied these reports, labeling them as "fake news" and asserting that FEMA's response was adequate despite the documented evidence of missed calls (HuffPost, USA Today). However, the critical assessment of her statements reveals a disconnect between her claims and the documented realities of FEMA's performance during the crisis. Experts in disaster management have expressed concern over the implications of such failures, emphasizing the importance of timely communication and assistance for disaster survivors (New York Times).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this issue is generally high, as they include established news organizations and expert commentary. However, it is important to note that Noem's administration may have a vested interest in downplaying the severity of the situation, which could introduce bias into her public statements (Politico, Rolling Stone).
Conclusion
The claim that FEMA calls went unanswered after the floods due to Kristi Noem's failure to renew contracts is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources clearly indicates that the lack of timely contract renewal led to a significant decline in FEMA's ability to respond to calls from flood victims. This situation highlights the critical need for effective management and timely decision-making in disaster response scenarios.
Sources
- FEMA Didn't Answer Thousands of Calls From Flood ...
- DHS Lets Contract Expire During A Flood, Leading To ...
- Kristi Noem Calls Reports Of FEMA Flood Failures 'Fake News ...
- Noem denies reports FEMA didn't answer flood survivor calls
- Noem fights criticism of FEMA management in Texas flood ...
- FEMA Missed Thousands of Texas Flood Victims’ Calls After ...
- Docs Show FEMA Calls Went Unanswered. Kristi Noem ...
- FEMA didn't answer thousands of calls from flood survivors ...
