As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida, the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) capability to deal with major disasters has caused concern.
The agency’s ability to fund its responses to natural disasters came to the forefront last week when Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said FEMA “does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season” in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which killed more than 200 people across six states and caused extensive damage.
Addressing claims that FEMA does not have enough money to help with the fallout from Hurricane Helene, a specially dedicated page on the FEMA website set up to tackle misinformation reads: “FEMA has enough money right now for immediate response and recovery needs. If you were affected by Helene, do not hesitate to apply for disaster assistance as there is a variety of help available for different needs.”
What Is Happening With FEMA Funding?
Mayorkas has asked Congress to meet to pass additional funding for FEMA as a matter of urgency, especially given the quick succession of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. Congress recently granted $20 billion for the agency’s disaster relief fund as part of a short-term government spending bill to fund FEMA through December 20.
Speaking to MSNBC, Mayorkas said, despite having “the funding we need to meet the challenge of Hurricane Helene and the challenge of Hurricane Milton,” the agency is “operating on a continuing resolution that is not stable funding for the long haul, and therefore we need a real budget and not a band aid.”
Vehicles fill the road as they drive to the East on I-75 from the West coast of Florida before the arrival of Hurricane Milton on October 8, 2024 in Big Cypress. Thousands of people are on the move as they try to find safety before the storm’s arrival.
Joe Raedle/GETTY
President Joe Biden has also urged Congress to convene over FEMA funding. In a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Leaders Chuck Schumer, Mitch McConnell, and Hakeem Jeffries, the president said that, “while FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund has the resources it requires right now to meet immediate needs, the fund does face a shortfall at the end of the year.”
“Without additional funding, FEMA would be required to forego longer-term recovery activities in favor of meeting urgent needs,” Biden added.
However, Johnson rejected calls for Congress to return before the November 5 presidential election. He told Fox Business: “We’ll be back in session immediately after the election.”
“Congress will provide. We will help people in these disaster-prone areas,” Johnson said. “It’s an appropriate role for the federal government, and you’ll have bipartisan support for that, and it’ll all happen in due time, and we’ll get that job done. There shouldn’t be any concern about that.”
Staffing and Resources
In terms of staffing and resources needed to meet the needs of those impacted by recent and upcoming disasters, FEMA reports that it is actively engaged in responding to 111 significant disasters and 16 emergency declarations at present.
Its daily operations briefing said 9 percent of its disaster-response personnel are available for Milton. A report by the New York Times published this week said that just one federal coordinating officer—the person responsible for directing a disaster response—was available as of Monday, October 7.
On Tuesday, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell said that the agency is equipped to address the needs of residents affected by Milton. She added that FEMA has staffing alternatives, which include reallocating personnel from its long-term recovery offices to meet any urgent requirements.
Mayorkas made similar comments. “We can meet the needs of Hurricane Helene survivors and the individuals who will be in need as a result of the devastating Hurricane Milton,” he told MSNBC.
Mayorkas said the agency has been directed by Biden to “not only dedicate the FEMA resources, the resources of the Department of Homeland Security, but the resources of the entire federal government, and that is indeed what we are doing.”
In terms of resources dedicated especially to the upcoming Hurricane Milton, FEMA has deployed:
- 7 FEMA Incident Management Assistance Teams
- 8 FEMA Urban Search & Rescue and Swift Water Rescue Teams
- 3 U.S. Coast Guard Swift Water Rescue Teams
- 4 Health Care System Assessment Teams
- 5 Disaster Medical Assistance Teams.
The agency has also confirmed that it is prepared with 20 million meals and 40 million liters of water.
