Heavy snow, grounded flights, and school closures across the Northeast are adding urgency to Washington’s fight over Homeland Security funding, with the Federal Emergency Management Agency facing new operational strain as a partial shutdown drags on.
The latest winter storm has dumped more than 30 inches of snow in some areas, with at least five states reporting totals of more than 2 feet. Providence, Rhode Island, is experiencing its largest snowstorm on record, while New York City and Philadelphia are seeing their heaviest snowfall in years.
As the partial DHS shutdown stretches on amid a funding standoff in Congress, internal agency directives have paused disaster-response travel nationwide, according to agency communications and people familiar with the decision, leaving hundreds of FEMA personnel awaiting deployment even as severe weather unfolds. The stop-travel order took effect Feb. 18 and applies to DHS-funded travel for the duration of the funding lapse, according to internal messages.
The decision came as roughly 300 FEMA personnel were preparing for deployment before being told to stand down, according to reports.
The travel restrictions stem from broader DHS efforts to conserve resources during the funding lapse. In a Feb. 22 statement, the agency said it would take steps to manage operations ahead of a potential shutdown.
Under FEMA’s emergency operating status, the agency has shifted to bare-minimum, life-saving operations, according to internal guidance. Beginning Feb. 22, FEMA halted non-essential activities, paused most non-emergency recovery work, and limited travel and deployments to active disasters where there is an immediate threat to life, public health, or safety. Funding for ongoing recovery projects, long-term planning, and new initiatives has largely been put on hold until monetary support is restored.
Funding for emergency declarations and disaster response remains available through FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, a separate account unaffected by the DHS funding lapse. The fund held roughly $7 billion as of December.
“The Disaster Relief Fund allows FEMA to work no matter if there’s a shutdown or not,” a former FEMA official told the Washington Examiner, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the situation candidly. “But when you say nobody can travel, even for active disasters, that really hampers operations.”
“Any new disasters, they can’t travel like they normally would to work with state and local governments,” the official added. “That’s going to have a big impact.”
FEMA did not directly respond to a request for comment from the Washington Examiner about the travel restrictions or how the shutdown could affect operations.
FEMA coordinates federal disaster response and oversees relief funding. While states and local governments typically handle the early stages of winter storm response, prolonged recovery efforts often depend on federal support once local resources are stretched.
The shutdown fight comes as FEMA has already been navigating workforce reductions. Earlier this year, the agency stopped renewing contracts for CORE employees, term-limited staff who often hold senior disaster-response roles.
The former FEMA official said additional cuts in recent weeks have left the agency increasingly thin at a time when emergency managers are preparing for unpredictable events.
“The roles are very slim as to the people with real experience in disaster response,” the official said. “It’s that no-notice event that worries people. If something happens suddenly, you need experienced staff ready to move.”
While life-saving missions continue, three current FEMA employees tell the Washington Examiner added approval requirements and travel restrictions are slowing deployments and delaying recovery work.
“It’s not an ideal situation, and this upcoming storm season in the summer could be brutal for those of us left,” said a FEMA employee speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation.
Winter storms present a different challenge than hurricanes or wildfires, and FEMA’s role is often more limited. States and localities generally handle snow removal and immediate response, with federal assistance coming later if damage escalates or secondary issues emerge.
“We always said ‘no dough for snow states,’” the former FEMA official said, noting that communities in northern regions are typically prepared for winter weather. Still, the official said FEMA can assist with warming shelters, generators, and mission assignments if conditions worsen.
The larger concern, the former official said, may come after the snow stops falling.
“With this much snow, the next question is what happens when it melts,” the former official said. “Normally, FEMA would already be looking ahead at flooding risks and planning for what comes next.”
As temperatures rise, rapid snowmelt can trigger flooding, requiring federal coordination and advance planning. FEMA typically monitors snowpack and flooding potential early, but staffing and operational limits could complicate that work.
“If communities aren’t able to get started in their recovery work,” the official said, “that will really hamper it.”
Governors in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Massachusetts declared states of emergency ahead of the storm, restricting non-essential travel and underscoring the growing pressure on emergency response systems.
The timing could reshape the politics of the shutdown fight. Lawmakers remain locked in a funding standoff, but visible weather emergencies often increase scrutiny of federal preparedness and the real-world consequences of budget battles.
TRUMP ADMINISTRATION HALTS FEMA DEPLOYMENT OF AID WORKERS DURING DHS SHUTDOWN
Those with experience within the agency say FEMA’s workforce continues to prioritize immediate response needs, even under constraints.
“Emergency managers are going to do whatever it takes,” the former official said. “But they’re doing it with fewer people.”
