The acting head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency told employees Monday that he did not know the United States has a hurricane season, according to two people who heard the remarks and said it was unclear if he was serious.

The official, David Richardson, has served in the Marines and worked in the Department of Homeland Security’s Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. After he joined FEMA in May, some FEMA workers expressed concern about his lack of experience in emergency management. The remark, coming a day after the start of the Atlantic hurricane season, could deepen those concerns.

The two people who described the comment asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees FEMA, said i

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