FEMA funding and aid may be uncertain ahead of hurricane season, but Houston-area emergency management officials say they are prepared for the disasters and will seek assistance from the state for recovery efforts if necessary.

FOX 26 Rashi Vats provides a 2 p.m. update on top local, state, and federal stories for Thursday, May 22, 2025.

According to WeatherBELL’s forecast, the areas most vulnerable this season are the East Coast and Florida. That’s where we could see an above-average ACE, Accumulated Cyclone Energy, which is a measure of the intensity and duration of storms. On the other hand, Bastardi is forecasting a below-average ACE for the Bay of Campeche and coastal Mexico.

CenterPoint Energy announced Thursday that its infrastructure is now more resilient ahead of the 2025 hurricane season, which starts June 1. CenterPoint's improvements, which make up the second phase of the company's Greater Houston Resiliency Initiative,

A recent internal FEMA review found the agency “is not ready” for the June 1 start to hurricane season, due to the uncertainty around the agency’s future, lack of coordination with states and other federal agencies, and low morale among officials. Experts and government officials have warned that these cuts could cost human lives.

Weeks ahead of hurricane season, National Weather Service in Houston remains short-staffed due to Trump's hiring freeze and Musk's downsizing.

A number of Houston homes remain damaged a year after the derecho, with residents facing slow recovery and rising risks as hurricane season begins.