In a meeting with FEMA staff, David Richardson said he was unaware the United States had a hurricane season. Two staff members said it was unclear if he was serious, but the agency said he was joking.

President Donald Trump’s acting Federal Emergency Management Agency chief reportedly told staff he did not know that the United States has a hurricane season, but officials claim the statement was simply a joke.

With hurricane season underway, Houston area officials said they are watching closely as federal budget cuts target key programs that have long supported the region's disaster recovery. Since January,