Plus, putting AI in EM
Even fewer storms are now predicted in this “below normal” 2026 hurricane season, Cameron Hamilton is sworn-in as FEMA administrator, a new research report highlights over 1,000 uses of AI in emergency management, plus the FEMA Corps program is back and now accepting applicants. It’s all in this week’s Disaster Management Digest.
Sleepy 2026 Storm Season: As we reported earlier in the year, 2026 is shaping up to be a slow year for forecasted hurricane activity, with an updated NOAA estimate further dropping the number of anticipated storms. The predicted number of named storms has been adjusted from between eight and 14 storms down to between seven and 13, predicted hurricanes down to two to six, and the chance of below-normal activity from 55% in May to 75% now. We can thank a strong El Niño for these tranquil waters and hurricane hindering circumstances, which have only seen two named tropical storms, Arthur and Bertha, so far in 2026. And while it never hurts to be prepared for the worst, seasoned hurricane forecasters say this El Niño has only gotten stronger and stronger with each passing month. You can read the full NOAA release here. If August has no named tropical storms or hurricanes in the Atlantic, it would mark only the fourth time since 1961.
FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton. Courtesy, FEMA
Cameron Hamilton Appointed FEMA Administrator: FEMA has had a rough 2025 and 2026, seeing a revolving door of 4 different acting administrators over the course of the last 18 months including one Cameron Hamilton, who was reintroduced and officially sworn in as FEMA Administrator last week. Hamilton was initially dismissed from his position after congressional testimony in May of 2025 where he spoke up about the necessity of FEMA after many critiques were leveled at the agency from the Trump administration, stating, “I do not believe it is in the best interest of the American people to eliminate the Federal Emergency Management Agency.” Months later this former Navy SEAL’s nerves of steel, along with 20 years of relevant experience in leadership, public service, and emergency management have secured him the position to put America back together again after disasters strike. Hamilton’s professionalism and proficiency, and FEMA’s streamlining were points of focus in last week’s FEMA Bulletin, a sign that a sense of normalcy may be returning to the agency.
AI Adoption in EM: In a world where AI is knocking down barriers and leaping over hurdles faster than we can comprehend, many industries and decision makers are left wondering how to actually adopt and implement these purported life-changing technologies when the marketplace has become so crowded. Enter The Markle Foundation, which commissioned an AI adoption landscape assessment from RAND as a part of its wider AI for Disasters and Emergencies (AIDE) Initiative, to actualize the AI revolution and place it firmly in the hands of today’s emergency managers. The authors found 1,179 AI-enabled products that could see application in the emergency management (EM) world, but found that many products have very niche applications that would need to stack with other products. One in five actually required another product to function, and many are dependent on companies with pre-existing AI-centric workflows and dedicated AI specialists. Other concerns abound, such as completely opaque pricing structures and both legal and cyber privacy risks. It would appear AI adoption may require some guiderails, which the report is also happy to provide recommendations for.
FEMA Corps Resumes: The FEMA Corps program is back online and accepting applications as of late July, after being refocused to align with the agency’s new core mission under the Trump administration. Future emergency managers can apply for the program, which is accepting 10 team leaders and 80 team members to serve from February to November 2027. Graduates receive weekly stipends and living allowances while deployed to a project and are eligible to receive education awards upon completion that can be used for tuition or student loans. To learn more, visit AmeriCorps NCCC.
LMA Newsletter of 8-17-26
