With Congress allocating over $100 billion in emergency aid to address the significant damage caused by recent disasters, a government spending bill was finally agreed upon after a hectic week of negotiations. The funding is a response to the aftermath of hurricanes Helene and Milton, which ravaged the southeastern United States this fall. However, the allocation is not limited to these two storms, as President Joe Biden signed the bill on Saturday to keep the federal government funded through March 14.
The initial disaster relief funding faced hurdles earlier in the week when President-elect Donald Trump introduced new demands that derailed a compromise and risked a pre-Christmas federal shutdown. Ultimately, a scaled-back version of the bill was approved by Congress on Saturday after Republicans distanced themselves from Trump’s primary request.
Here’s an overview of the provisions in the bill for disaster relief and where the funds are designated:
How much money is allocated to FEMA in the legislation?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) disaster relief fund serves as the nation’s emergency fund. It allows the government to reimburse states and local governments for expenses like debris removal post-disasters and overtime pay for emergency responders. Additionally, the fund includes aid for affected individuals, ranging from $750 for disaster survivors to $42,500 for uninsured homeowners to aid in rebuilding.
Esther Manheimer, the mayor of Asheville, a city in the North Carolina mountains severely impacted by Hurricane Helene, expressed gratitude for the additional disaster relief funds. Residents in Asheville faced challenges such as water contamination post-disaster, with numerous businesses closing permanently or struggling to survive. Manheimer highlighted the long road to recovery ahead, pointing out the enduring economic repercussions left by the hurricanes.
Following hurricanes Helene and Milton, FEMA’s disaster relief fund was nearly depleted, with only $5 billion remaining. The Biden administration initially requested $40 billion for the fund, but the bill that passed allotted $29 billion. Stan Gimont, a senior adviser for community recovery at Hagerty Consulting, emphasized that this is not the final funding for the relief fund, noting that additional allocations are likely during the full-year appropriation process.
What other provisions are included in the bill?
The bill also designates around $21 billion for disaster assistance to aid farmers. North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler welcomed the agricultural support but noted that specialty crops like sweet potatoes and Christmas trees are typically not covered by federal programs. He highlighted the importance of scrutinizing the details of the bill to understand the specific coverage provided.
Furthermore, funds are allocated for the reconstruction of damaged roads and highways, amounting to $8 billion.
Around $14.6 billion is set to be allocated for disaster relief in the United States, with a significant portion designated for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grants intended to aid communities in their recovery efforts. This funding is crucial for homeowners who lack sufficient insurance coverage to rebuild in the aftermath of disasters. Additionally, $2.2 billion has been allocated for providing low-interest loans to businesses, nonprofits, and homeowners seeking to reconstruct post-disaster.
The allocation of funds is not solely limited to aiding local residents, as portions are also earmarked for various other purposes. For example, resources have been allocated to support the military in addressing the impact of hurricanes and typhoons. Moreover, funding has been designated for the procurement of a new hurricane hunter aircraft, essential for hurricane research, as well as for assisting NASA in restoring facilities damaged by hurricanes.
The appropriation of funds is not exclusive to recovery efforts following Hurricanes Helene and Milton; it extends to cover a broader spectrum of disasters. Specific allocations include $1.5 billion designated for aiding recovery from the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s recorded history, the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire, and for the reconstruction of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. Additionally, a substantial portion of the fund is aimed at addressing major disasters that have occurred in recent years, encompassing events such as droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos, and smoke exposure.
It is emphasized that the process of disaster recovery is often protracted, necessitating ongoing financial support for past occurrences while also preparing for future calamities. Highlighting the aftermath of the significant Maui fire, which ravaged the town of Lahaina in Hawaii, it is evident that recovery efforts can extend well beyond the immediate aftermath of a disaster, with clean-up operations alone continuing into late summer 2024.
Reporting by Loller from Nashville, Tennessee underscores the importance of sustained financial backing to facilitate comprehensive disaster recovery efforts and preparedness for future eventualities.
