FEMA funding shortfall/ Mayorkas warns of FEMA crisis/ Hurricane Helene disaster relief/ FEMA funds during hurricane season/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned that FEMA is running low on funds as it tackles the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. The agency can meet immediate needs but may not have enough to last through the hurricane season. President Biden and Congress may need to approve supplemental funding as FEMA supports recovery efforts in the Southeast.
Mayorkas Warns of FEMA Funding Shortage Amid Hurricane Helene Recovery: Quick Looks
- FEMA Funding Concerns: Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said FEMA’s current funds may not last through the remainder of hurricane season, despite immediate needs being met.
- Hurricane Helene Impact: The storm has killed more than 160 people and left significant damage across the Southeast, particularly in Florida, North Carolina, and Georgia.
- Congressional Action Needed: Mayorkas, along with President Biden, emphasized the need for Congress to approve supplemental funding to sustain disaster relief efforts.
- Congress’s Role: Despite a recent $20 billion boost to FEMA’s disaster relief fund, Mayorkas suggests more funds may be necessary. Congress may need to reconvene in October to address these concerns.
Mayorkas Warns FEMA Funds Are Running Low Amid Hurricane Season
Deep Look
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas sounded the alarm on Wednesday, warning that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is facing a critical funding shortfall as the nation continues to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. While FEMA has been able to meet the immediate needs of those affected by the storm, Mayorkas expressed concern that the agency may not have sufficient funds to last through the entire hurricane season, which typically runs until the end of November.
Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Mayorkas highlighted the urgency of the situation. “We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have, but we are expecting another hurricane,” Mayorkas said. “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”
FEMA’s Current Challenges
FEMA is currently working with state and local officials across several Southeastern states to assess damage from Hurricane Helene, which has left a path of destruction and claimed more than 160 lives. The storm, which initially struck Florida last week, brought severe flooding and damaged critical infrastructure as it tore through the region.
FEMA has been delivering much-needed supplies, such as water, food, and generators, while also coordinating recovery efforts with state governments. However, the scope of the disaster, coupled with the possibility of another storm, has raised questions about how long FEMA’s disaster relief fund can sustain operations without additional financial support.
Congressional Action on the Horizon
While Congress recently replenished FEMA’s disaster relief fund with $20 billion as part of a short-term government spending bill, Mayorkas’ comments suggest that the allocation may not be enough to cover the agency’s needs through the remainder of the hurricane season. The short-term spending bill, which funds the government through December 20, also gives FEMA the flexibility to draw on the funds more quickly, but further support may be necessary.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have also been actively involved in the response. As both leaders toured hurricane-ravaged areas in North and South Carolina, as well as Georgia, Biden echoed Mayorkas’ concerns about the potential need for Congress to approve additional funding. The president and other officials have called on lawmakers to consider a supplemental spending bill to provide FEMA with the resources it needs to continue its recovery efforts.
Mayorkas did not specify how much additional funding FEMA may require, but the urgency of his message indicates that time is of the essence. With lawmakers currently focused on campaigning ahead of the November election, there is a possibility that Congress may need to reconvene in October to address the shortfall. A bipartisan group of senators from hurricane-affected states has already urged their leadership to act swiftly in providing more resources.
FEMA’s Response So Far
FEMA spokesperson Frank Matranga said more than 150,000 households have already registered for assistance, a number expected to grow rapidly in the coming days. The storm caused significant damage, particularly in North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, where at least 57 people died in and around Asheville, a popular tourist destination known for its art scene and outdoor activities.
“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said during a press conference, underscoring the severity of the storm’s impact. In response, FEMA has been working around the clock to deliver critical supplies and assist in recovery efforts.
Despite these efforts, Mayorkas’ warning signals that FEMA may soon face challenges in maintaining its operations without an infusion of additional funding. Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, coupled with the potential for more storms in the coming months, presents a significant test for the agency and for Congress, which must decide how to respond.
Outlook for the Rest of Hurricane Season
Hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to November 30, tends to see its most active months in September and October. As a result, FEMA’s ability to respond to future storms will depend on how quickly Congress can act to shore up its financial resources.
With hurricane recovery efforts ongoing and the potential for additional storms looming, the agency’s capacity to respond effectively remains in question. Mayorkas’ remarks have added a sense of urgency to discussions in Washington about the need for further action.
Biden, in a brief statement, affirmed his administration’s commitment to helping affected communities but acknowledged the challenges ahead. “We need to jumpstart this recovery process,” he said. “People are scared to death, and we need to make sure we’re doing everything we can to help them recover.”
The coming weeks will reveal whether FEMA’s funding is adequate to meet the challenges of the remainder of the hurricane season or whether more support from Congress will be necessary to keep recovery efforts on track.
