A spokesperson said that David Richardson, acting administrator of FEMA as of early May, was joking. During the briefing, staff weren't so sure.

Homeland Security officials say FEMA head David Richardson was joking when he said he wasn't aware of the annual U.S. hurricane season, which began on June 1.

A report suggests the administrator was unaware that the US has a hurricane season, although the DHS said it was meant as a joke