local
FEMA official who 'teleported to Waffle House' steps down
By Dieter Mouchkatine at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories
· 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 Barton Creek News
The departure of Gregg Phillips from his FEMA post may have implications for disaster response efforts in the Barton Creek area. As a community prone to flash flooding and severe weather events, residents rely on effective emergency management to ensure public safety. With Phillips' exit, it remains to be seen how FEMA's leadership change will impact the agency's ability to respond to local disasters. The Austin area has experienced its share of devastating floods and wildfires in recent years, and a seamless transition at FEMA is crucial to maintaining the community's trust in the agency's capabilities. As the search for Phillips' replacement begins, Barton Creek residents will be watching closely to see how the new leadership will prioritize the needs of local communities and support the work of emergency responders in the area.
About this story
Original reporting by KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories . Barton Creek 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 .
For the complete original report, visit KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: June 26, 2026 ·
Source: KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories ·
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 Stories and curated for Barton Creek News readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Dieter Mouchkatine at KXAN (NBC Austin) - All Stories. To learn more about how Barton Creek News selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from Barton Creek News, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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