Tornadoes: Agencies Promote Resilience but Actions Needed to Improve Access to FEMA Assistance

Strategic Insights -

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a report highlighting the importance of improving access to FEMA assistance for tribes in the wake of tornadoes. According to the GAO, tornadoes claim more lives annually in the U.S. than hurricanes and earthquakes combined. In 2024, there were more than 2,100 tornadoes in the U.S., the highest annual total on record dating back to 1950. The GAO analysis found that while FEMA helps tornado survivors and communities through various programs, tribal governments face significant barriers in accessing these resources.

Key Takeaways:

  • The President approved 94 major disaster declarations involving tornadoes, in fiscal years 2019 through 2024, with FEMA obligating $2.8 billion for Public Assistance and the Individuals and Households Program as of December 2024.
  • Only states and territories are eligible to receive Emergency Management Performance Grant awards directly from FEMA, while Tribes can only access these funds through states.
  • From fiscal years 2014 through 2023, 17 states did not distribute any Emergency Management Performance Grant awards to Tribes within their state.
  • FEMA submitted a legislative proposal to Congress outlining solutions to enable Tribes to more easily access funding, but Congress has not yet acted.
  • The GAO recommends that Congress consider creating a new program or amending an existing program to provide grants directly to Tribal governments for building emergency management capacity.
  • The GAO also recommends that FEMA identify Tribal Nations' needs for emergency management capacity building and outline steps to address any findings.

Statistics:

  • 2,143 tornadoes occurred in the U.S. in 2024, the highest annual total on record dating back to 1950 (Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA).
  • FEMA has obligated $2.8 billion for Public Assistance and the Individuals and Households Program as of December 2024 (Source: FEMA).
  • 17 states did not distribute any Emergency Management Performance Grant awards to Tribes within their state from fiscal years 2014 through 2023 (Source: GAO analysis).

Sources:

  • Government Accountability Office, GAO-25-107384: Tornadoes: Agencies Promote Resilience but Actions Needed to Improve Access to FEMA Assistance (August 2025)
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA: Tornado Data
  • Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA: Fiscal Year 2024 Obligations for Public Assistance and the Individuals and Households Program.