The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently short-staffed, even as a Category 5 hurricane approaches the United States.
As of Monday, only 1,217 FEMA employees were available to respond to Hurricane Milton and other disasters, less than 10% of the agency’s workforce. According to In the New York Times. As of October 2017, FEMA staffing levels were twice as high as they are today, despite three major hurricanes earlier that season: Harvey, Maria, and Irma.
Hurricane Milton, currently heading toward Florida, strengthened into a Category 5 storm on Monday. The eye of the storm is expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area on Wednesday, Associated Press reported.
Hurricane Helen, a Category 4 storm, made landfall in Florida on September 26, causing severe damage to parts of the Southeast. The death toll from the hurricane reached 227 on Saturday. According to To AP.
Asheville, North Carolina – September 28: On September 28, 2024, heavy rains from Hurricane Helen caused record flooding and damage in Asheville, North Carolina. Hurricane Helen made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend on Thursday night with winds of up to 160 mph and storm surge, killing at least 42 people in multiple states. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)
Federal aid to Hurricane Helen survivors now exceeds $210 million, FEMA announced in a press release on Monday. FEMA has “prepositioned resources to support local and state response efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton” and is “well prepared to respond to the storm’s potential impacts.” said.
FEMA has recently faced criticism over its effectiveness in providing relief to areas affected by Hurricane Helen. Lara Trump said Sunday that federal funds going to hurricane victims are limited, after former President Donald Trump claimed Saturday that Hurricane Helen victims were only given $750. criticized. FEMA is also facing backlash for previously listing “equity” as one of the top goals in its 2022-2026 strategic plan in the storm’s aftermath.
The Biden administration’s Federal Communications Commission will enable Elon Musk’s satellite internet constellation, Starlink, to provide high-speed broadband internet service to rural businesses and homes in December 20238. Despite denying the $85 million award, FEMA trusts Starlink to restore internet access. During the power outage caused by Hurricane Helen.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Wednesday expressed concern that FEMA does not have enough funds to get through hurricane season. FEMA has spent about $1 billion on immigrant assistance programs over the past two fiscal years. (Related: Republican senator challenges NBC host over FEMA ‘misinformation’ on immigration funding)
FEMA did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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