A Discussion with James Stroud on FEMA, the Katrina Declaration, and Dealing with Future Natural Disasters

01

Background

Will Duhl: To start, you have a background in math and statistics. What drew you to FEMA, and could you provide some background on your role there?

James Stroud

Yeah, sure. I got my bachelor's and master's in applied math and statistics, and I initially started at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab, doing all sorts of modeling and simulation stuff, mainly Department of Defense work. During COVID, seeing what was happening in the world, I felt like I could make better use of my skills and do something meaningful for humanity. I didn't think contributing to the war machine was good for the world, so I started looking for any job where I could use my math and statistics skills to do some net good. FEMA was the first place that took me. I've been there almost 5 years now, and it's been really great.

Will Duhl: Great, and what do you do there? What kind of projects do you work on?

James Stroud

We do a lot of work that informs logistics decisions. I focus heavily on individual assistance, which helps people whose homes are hit by hurricanes and other disasters. The biggest thing my team does occurs right when a disaster is about to hit or has just occurred: we use a model to forecast how many people will apply for assistance. That helps inform key operational decisions like: Do we need surge staffing at call centers to ensure people get help? How many inspectors do we need to send to the field to assess damage quickly so survivors get their money on time? How many temporary housing units do we need ready if people need to relocate?

We also conduct policy analysis, asking questions like: "We implemented this policy a couple of years ago: is it working as expected? Are there gaps or potential improvements?" Overall, we handle a pretty broad mix of tasks and support active operations during disasters. Sometimes leadership will reach out and say, "Hey, this number looks weird, what's going on here?" We then have to figure out if the number is actually unusual and why. We get all sorts of interesting, unpredictable requests.

02

The Katrina Declaration

Will Duhl: In August of 2025, you joined over 190 current and former staff members in signing the Katrina Declaration. Could you explain what that is and what concerns compelled you to speak out publicly like that?

James Stroud

Sure. The Katrina Declaration was essentially a letter of dissent against the administration's handling of FEMA, outlining a whole list of critical issues. For instance, Kristi Noem instituted a policy where any expenditure over $100,000 required her personal sign-off, which created a massive bureaucratic bottleneck that brought some operations to a halt. We also lacked a Senate-confirmed administrator for FEMA during that time, and still don't.

That poses a major risk during complex, large-scale disasters that require strong leadership and swift coordination. These are high-stakes, fast-moving situations, so you need someone who truly knows what they're doing.

Those were two of my biggest concerns, but the declaration covered six core areas highlighting how the administration was essentially crippling FEMA in ways that could cost lives. A group of employees drafted the letter to Congress, and I signed my name because we needed real employees to stand behind it to compel leadership to pay attention. Following that, we were placed on paid administrative leave for over eight months, and I only returned to work within the last couple of months.

03

Life after speaking out

Will Duhl: Now that you're back, what is the current atmosphere among staff and administrators?

James Stroud

That's a good question. It's definitely tough. There is heavy turnover across the board: both in upper management due to the chaotic nature of this administration, and among lower-level staff who find the environment too difficult to sustain. A lot of people are deeply disappointed by the agency's direction.

The current situation has caused immense stress for staff who truly believe in that purpose. While employees are remarkably resilient and doing their best to help people, they are working against powerful opposing forces.

Will Duhl: Reports indicate that about a third of FEMA's career workforce has departed over the last year. How has this loss impacted FEMA's ability to help those in need and function as it needs to?

James Stroud

Fortunately, that capacity hasn't been fully tested yet. Last summer was a relatively quiet hurricane season, and we haven't faced a massive disaster that would push our resources to the limit and fully expose the damage done to the agency.

04

A ticking time bomb

Will Duhl: Do you think an event like that will happen anytime soon?

James Stroud

It's a ticking time bomb. We are heading into peak hurricane season now, so it could happen this year, and we still have two more hurricane seasons under this administration. You never know when the next major storm will hit.

I think operations are going to be extremely difficult with significantly less manpower because conditions get chaotic quickly. Burnout is a major factor when staff are working weekends and 12-hour-plus shifts during peak periods. Without enough personnel to distribute the workload, it takes a heavy toll on employees, which ultimately harms disaster survivors who are already experiencing the worst days of their lives. Overall, it's a dangerous situation.

Will Duhl: Given these issues, how do you see FEMA and its role or impact changing in the next few years?

James Stroud

If a major disaster strikes, I anticipate processing times and the timeline for delivering assistance will be drastically delayed. I'm hopeful that a future administration would quickly correct course, initiate a major hiring surge, and roll back these damaging changes, but for now, it's tough.

05

What the data says about urban flooding

Will Duhl: StormreadyNYC is focused on urban flooding, specifically in New York City, so I was wondering, because you're big on data and statistics, what are the statistics saying about future flooding in cities, and what should cities like New York be doing to prepare themselves?

James Stroud

The data clearly shows a trend toward more frequent and severe weather events over time, which directly increases the risk of catastrophic flooding. Rising global temperatures lead to rising sea levels and more frequent flood events, so the overall trends are concerning.

As for what cities can do, any aggressive effort to fight climate change is a win-win. The recent rapid increase in solar energy adoption is very encouraging and demonstrates that we can pivot faster than many thought possible.

Will Duhl: Do you have any ideas about federal policy that you would like to see implemented in the near future that you think could help with extreme weather?

James Stroud

One of the central points of the Katrina Declaration was that the administration had halted significant funding for hazard mitigation: things like elevating homes on stilts that prevent damage before a disaster occurs. They have partially reversed course and reopened some mitigation funding, but that remains a critical investment.

It makes complete financial sense, and on a personal level, preventing a family's home from being destroyed is invaluable. Expanding hazard mitigation is key. While it's not my specific area of expertise, the evidence supporting it is clear.

06

Advice for young people

Will Duhl: For people like me, for the youth who care about climate change and our future, what sort of fields or projects do you think are the most valuable for us to pursue in the future?

James Stroud

That's a great question. I think it comes down to following what you are passionate about, because that passion is what drives effectiveness. You will make the biggest impact in a field you care deeply about, so I recommend pursuing your specific interests rather than following a generic template. Beyond choosing a relevant career path, getting involved in community organizing, climate activism, and advocating for strong environmental policies and leaders who prioritize climate justice is hugely important. There are many ways to contribute: both professionally through your career and personally through advocacy. Both avenues are essential.