Top US disaster agency official David Richardson resigns

David Richardson has resigned from his position as acting head of FEMA after serving only six months, during which he faced significant criticism for the agency's response to catastrophic Texas floods that killed over 130 people in July. His departure follows controversial moments including being inaccessible during the early flood crisis and telling a congressional committee that FEMA's response was exemplary despite reported problems. Richardson will be replaced by current FEMA chief of staff Karen Evans effective December 1st, while the Trump administration continues broader efforts to restructure the agency, potentially reducing its role in favor of greater state responsibility for disaster management.