The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has not renewed a $200,000 tornado-tracking tool provided by FEMA, causing rescuers to operate without the tool. This left responders with a less precise picture of where to search first. The company's contract expired in February, and FEMA's request to renew it is still moving through Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's approval process. This disruption echoes problems experienced during last July's deadly floods, which hampered FEMA's ability to pre-position search-and-rescue teams and share data with state partners. FEMA insiders have warned that Noem’s policies are hampering operations and preventing billions of dollars in contracts and grants from being stalled at the agency.