Ex-FEMA officials say it’s unclear how the response differs from FEMA’s typical role in disasters, which is to support states through coordination and funding.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has been exerting more direct control over the agency, which President Trump has talked about "getting rid of."

Asked shortly after the disaster whether he still intended to phase out the Federal Emergency Management Agency, President Trump said it wasn’t the right time to talk about it.