After nearly a year of harsh criticism in the wake of Hurricane Maria, FEMA published its internal audit of the agency’s response to the 2017 hurricane season, concluding that its efforts and planning were insufficient and in need of critical updates.
Why it matters: The agency’s failure to adequately plan for a major hurricane strike on Puerto Rico may have contributed to scores of deaths and the suffering of island residents. In addition, FEMA’s shortcomings may have exacerbated economic damage and contributed to the depopulation of the island in the wake of the storm.
