local
FEMA official who 'teleported to Waffle House' steps down
By Dieter Mouchkatine at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News
· June 26, 2026
· 1 min read
Gregg Phillips, a top FEMA official who made headlines for claiming he teleported to a Waffle House in Georgia, is leaving his post for "personal reasons," a FEMA spokesperson confirmed to KXAN.
Why this matters in Westlake News
The departure of Gregg Phillips from his FEMA post may have implications for local emergency management efforts in West Lake Hills and the broader Travis County area. As a community prone to flash flooding and severe weather events, residents rely on effective coordination between federal, state, and local agencies to respond to disasters. Phillips' unorthodox comments had already raised questions about his leadership and judgment, potentially undermining confidence in FEMA's ability to support local recovery efforts. With his exit, local officials will be watching to see how FEMA's regional operations are affected and whether the agency's commitment to supporting Travis County's emergency management needs remains unchanged. The timing of Phillips' departure is also notable, given the region's history of severe weather events during the spring and summer months, when the ability to respond quickly and effectively is crucial.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News . Westlake News surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gregg Phillips, a top FEMA official who made headlines for claiming he teleported to a Waffle House in Georgia, is leaving his post for "personal reasons," a FEMA spokesperson confirmed to KXAN.
When was this published? This article was first published on June 26, 2026 by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News and curated for Westlake News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dieter Mouchkatine at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All News. To learn more about how Westlake News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Westlake News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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