“States and cities along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts are heading into hurricane season with an extraordinary level of uncertainty, unable to gauge how significant cuts at vital federal agencies will affect weather forecasts, emergency response, and long-term recovery.”
— The New York Times, May 22, 2025
A changing political climate
The 2025 hurricane season arrives at a time of unprecedented instability within federal emergency infrastructure. This year began with sweeping budget cuts across numerous U.S. government agencies in an effort to eliminate what has been deemed “wasteful spending.” Among the most impacted is FEMA, the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
These cuts, combined with leadership turnover, have left federal disaster response plans in disarray just as the Atlantic hurricane season begins on 1 June. The Department of Government Efficiency’s restructuring efforts have disrupted normal preparedness cycles, creating widespread confusion for state and local agencies.
“There’s no plan in writing for how FEMA intends to respond during this disaster season,” said Trina Sheets, executive director of the National Emergency Management Association. “Things seem to be changing on a daily basis. But there’s no roadmap for states to follow or to be able to plan for.”
At the start of the 2024 hurricane season, FEMA had over 6,500 trained personnel on standby. As of late May 2025, that number has dropped to under 2,000, according to agency records, a concerning decline just weeks ahead of peak storm activity.
“The newly appointed head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency acknowledged in private meetings that with two weeks to go until hurricane season, the agency doesn’t yet have a fully formed disaster-response plan.”
— Wall Street Journal, May 15, 2025
Forecast for 2025: An above-average season
Amid institutional uncertainty, weather forecasts point to an intense season. On 22 May 2025, NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) released its official outlook:
- 60% chance of an above-normal season
- 13 to 19 named storms
- 6 to 10 hurricanes
- 3 to 5 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)
For context, a typical season has 14 named storms and 7 hurricanes. Every year since 2015 has exceeded that average.
“In my 30 years at the National Weather Service, we've never had more advanced models and warning systems in place to monitor the weather,” said NWS Director Ken Graham.
“This outlook is a call to action: be prepared. Take proactive steps now to plan and gather supplies to ensure you're ready before a storm threatens.”
However, emergency managers worry that staffing and funding cuts at NOAA and other forecasting agencies could compromise the precision of weather models this year.
“Having an accurate forecast is one of the most critical pieces of information for effective warning and alerting of populations,” said David Merrick, Director of the Emergency Management and Homeland Security Program at Florida State University.
What the cuts mean for disaster response
Reduced FEMA resources and forecasting capacity affect far more than hurricane relief. Tornadoes, wildfires, droughts, heatwaves, and floods often strike simultaneously across the country. With fewer trained personnel, slower response times are inevitable.
Search and rescue, power restoration, and communications are all at risk of delays, placing more pressure on states, municipalities, and individuals to take initiative.
Federal agencies are not the only ones facing difficult questions. With reduced federal coordination, state governments may bear greater financial and logistical burdens during recovery efforts, all while residents face delayed aid and unclear guidance.
Be prepared: Satellite voice, text and data solutions
As Ken Graham emphasized, preparation is vital, and communications are one of the first casualties in any natural disaster.
Cell towers can be knocked out for days or even weeks, especially as maintenance teams grapple with stretched resources. Power outages disrupt everything from alerts to coordination. That’s why reliable communications technology is essential, especially when federal support may be slow to materialize.
Satellite phones and two-way radios
Satellite phones offer unmatched reliability during disasters. Powered by global constellations like the Iridium network, they work independently of ground-based infrastructure. Even when mobile networks are down, satellite voice, SMS, and GPS remain active.
Devices like the Iridium 9575 Extreme provide push-to-talk functionality, enabling group-wide communication in real time. They can be mounted in vehicles, deployed at fixed stations, or carried in the field, making them a trusted tool for emergency responders and municipal teams alike.
Satellite internet for remote connectivity
Maintaining data connectivity is just as important. The Cobham BGAN Explorer 510 is a compact, ruggedized satellite terminal offering speeds of up to 464 kbps. Paired with the Explorer Connect app, your smartphone transforms into a satellite phone, allowing voice calls and internet access virtually anywhere on Earth (excluding the polar regions).
This makes it a critical solution for mobile command units, relief teams, and remote workforces in disaster zones.
Contact the Cellhire USA team to learn more about satellite solutions designed to keep your teams connected.
Fixed wireless broadband with the Cellhire RE600
Even when mobile coverage returns, many sites are left without fiber or copper connectivity for weeks. That’s where Cellhire’s new RE600 Fixed Wireless Router steps in.
Housed in a ruggedized, portable case, the RE600 offers secure, high-speed 5G connectivity ideal for:
- Mobile command centers
- Disaster recovery sites
- Temporary work locations
- Emergency shelter hubs
Setup takes minutes. Simply scan the QR code for wireless access or plug in via one of two Ethernet ports. The device supports:
- Wi-Fi 6 with 4×4 MIMO (up to 64 connections)
- WPA3 encryption, VPN compatibility, and IP passthrough
- Dual SIMs for automatic failover between mobile networks
It’s the go-to broadband solution when wired internet isn’t an option.
Predictability is no longer predictable
Between budget cuts, leadership changes, and increasingly volatile weather patterns, one thing is certain: unpredictability.
Relying on historical response times or federal coordination is no longer a safe strategy. Sound preparation now depends on self-reliant technology, solutions that function regardless of power outages, network failures, or infrastructure loss.
Satellite communications and fixed wireless are exactly that: resilient, portable, and dependable in any disaster.
Prepare now, not later
The 2025 hurricane season may be one of the most challenging in recent memory. With uncertainty across every layer of disaster response, the burden of preparation shifts more than ever to individuals, communities, and private organizations.
Make sure you're ready. Explore Cellhire’s range of satellite and fixed wireless communications designed to keep you connected when it matters most.
Talk to our team at Cellhire USA today. Let us help you prepare with the solutions that work when nothing else does.
