The nation’s top agency for response and recovery work has endured significant upheaval since Trump’s return to the White House, and now Atlantic hurricane season is underway.

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.

An official from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said he meant the comment as a joke.