WASHINGTON (AP) — The Federal Emergency Administration Company can meet speedy wants however doesn’t have sufficient funding to make it by the hurricane season, Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas advised reporters Wednesday.
The company is being stretched as it really works with states to evaluate harm from Hurricane Helene and delivers meals, water, mills and different vital provides. The storm struck Florida final week, then plowed by a number of states within the Southeast, flooding cities and killing greater than 160 folks.
Mayorkas was not particular about how a lot extra cash the company may have, however his remarks on Air Power One underscored considerations voiced by President Joe Biden and a few lawmakers earlier this week that Congress could must cross a supplemental spending invoice this fall to assist states with restoration efforts.
“We are meeting the immediate needs with the money that we have. We are expecting another hurricane hitting,” Mayorkas mentioned. “FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season.”
Hurricane season runs June 1 to Nov. 30, however most hurricanes sometimes happen in September and October.
Congress not too long ago replenished a key supply of FEMA’s response efforts, offering $20 billion for the company’s catastrophe reduction fund as a part of a short-term authorities spending invoice to fund the federal government by Dec. 20. The invoice additionally gave FEMA flexibility to attract on the cash extra rapidly as wanted.
Each chambers of Congress are scheduled, nonetheless, to be of their residence states and districts till after the election, as lawmakers deal with campaigning.
Home Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., gave no trace he was contemplating altering that schedule throughout a speech Tuesday. He mentioned that Congress simply supplied FEMA with the funds it wants to reply and that lawmakers would be sure that these assets are appropriately allotted.
A bipartisan group of Senators from affected states wrote their management this week saying it’s clear Congress should act to satisfy constituents’ wants. They mentioned which will even require Congress to return again in October, forward of the election.
Mayorkas made his feedback as Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris fanned out throughout the Southeast to witness the harm from the hurricane and search to exhibit dedication and competence in serving to devastated communities. Biden is heading to North and South Carolina, whereas Harris goes to Georgia.
Greater than 150,000 households have registered for help with FEMA, and that quantity is anticipated to rise quickly within the coming days, mentioned Frank Matranga, an company consultant.
The devastation was particularly extreme within the Blue Ridge Mountains, the place at the very least 57 folks died in and round Asheville, North Carolina, a tourism haven identified for its artwork galleries, breweries and out of doors actions.
“Communities were wiped off the map,” North Carolina’s governor, Roy Cooper, mentioned at a information convention Tuesday.
