|
|
| (6 intermediate revisions by one other user not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | {{Organization |
| | |OrganizationName=Federal Emergency Management Agency |
| | |OrganizationType=Executive Departments |
| | |Mission=To support citizens and first responders to ensure that, as a nation, we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. FEMA aims to lead America to prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from disasters with a focus on resilience. |
| | |ParentOrganization=Department of Homeland Security |
| | |TopOrganization=Department of Homeland Security |
| | |CreationLegislation=Executive Order 12127 by President Jimmy Carter (1979) |
| | |Employees=13000 |
| | |Budget=$25.3 billion (Fiscal Year 2023) |
| | |OrganizationExecutive=Administrator |
| | |Services=Disaster response; Emergency management; Hazard mitigation; Preparedness programs; Public assistance |
| | |HeadquartersLocation=38.88543, -77.01871 |
| | |HeadquartersAddress=500 C Street SW, Washington, DC 20472 |
| | |Website=https://www.fema.gov |
| | }} |
| {{Short description|United States disaster response agency}} | | {{Short description|United States disaster response agency}} |
| {{Redirect|FEMA}}
| | |
| {{Use mdy dates|date=June 2022}}
| | |
| {{Infobox government agency | | {{Infobox government agency |
| | name = Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) | | | name = Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) |
| Line 66: |
Line 81: |
|
| |
|
| ===FEMA under Department of Homeland Security (2003–present)=== | | ===FEMA under Department of Homeland Security (2003–present)=== |
| [[File:Appropriations Act of 2004.jpg|thumb|President [[George W. Bush]] signs the [[Homeland Security Appropriations Act]] of 2004.]] | | [[File:Appropriations Act of 2004.jpg|thumb|President George W. Bush signs the [[Homeland Security Appropriations Act]] of 2004.]] |
|
| |
|
| Following the [[September 11 attacks|attacks of September 11, 2001]], Congress passed the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]], which created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. FEMA was absorbed into DHS effective March 1, 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Should FEMA Remain Part Of Homeland Security?|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100012612|access-date=2021-09-21|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 2,600 full-time employees. It became Federal Emergency Management Agency again on March 31, 2007, but remained in DHS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006|url=https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/Post_Katrina_Emergency_Management_Reform_Act_pdf.pdf|access-date=2024-09-26|website=doi.gov|language=en}}</ref> | | Following the [[September 11 attacks|attacks of September 11, 2001]], Congress passed the [[Homeland Security Act of 2002]], which created the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to better coordinate among the different federal agencies that deal with law enforcement, disaster preparedness and recovery, border protection and civil defense. FEMA was absorbed into DHS effective March 1, 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Should FEMA Remain Part Of Homeland Security?|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=100012612|access-date=2021-09-21|website=NPR.org|language=en}}</ref> As a result, FEMA became part of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate of Department of Homeland Security, employing more than 2,600 full-time employees. It became Federal Emergency Management Agency again on March 31, 2007, but remained in DHS.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006|url=https://www.doi.gov/sites/doi.gov/files/uploads/Post_Katrina_Emergency_Management_Reform_Act_pdf.pdf|access-date=2024-09-26|website=doi.gov|language=en}}</ref> |
| Line 197: |
Line 212: |
| ===Donations management=== | | ===Donations management=== |
| FEMA has led a [[Public-Private Partnership]] in creating a National Donations Management Program making it easier for corporations or individuals not previously engaged to make offers of free assistance to States and the Federal Government in times of disaster. The program is a partnership among FEMA, relief agencies, corporations/corporate associations and participating state governments.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} | | FEMA has led a [[Public-Private Partnership]] in creating a National Donations Management Program making it easier for corporations or individuals not previously engaged to make offers of free assistance to States and the Federal Government in times of disaster. The program is a partnership among FEMA, relief agencies, corporations/corporate associations and participating state governments.{{citation needed|date=December 2021}} |
|
| |
| ==Criticisms==
| |
| {{See also|Criticism of the United States government#Criticism of agencies}}
| |
|
| |
| ===Hurricane Andrew===
| |
| {{see also|Hurricane Andrew}}
| |
| In August 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck the [[Florida]] and [[Louisiana]] coasts with 165 mph (265 km/h) sustained winds. FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Andrew, summed up by the famous exclamation, "Where in the hell is the cavalry on this one?" by Kate Hale, emergency management director for [[Miami-Dade County, Florida]]. FEMA and the federal government at large were accused of not responding fast enough to house, feed and sustain the approximately 250,000 [[Homelessness in the United States|people left homeless]] in the affected areas. Within five days the federal government and neighboring states had dispatched 20,000 [[National Guard (United States)|National Guard]] and active duty troops to South Dade County to set up temporary housing. This event and FEMA's performance was reviewed by the National Academy of Public Administration in its February 1993 report "Coping With Catastrophe" which identified several basic paradigms in Emergency Management and FEMA administration that were causes of the failed response.
| |
|
| |
| FEMA had previously been criticized for its response to [[Hurricane Hugo]], which hit [[South Carolina]] in September 1989, and many of the same issues that plagued the agency during Hurricane Andrew were also evident during the response to [[Hurricane Katrina]] in 2005.
| |
|
| |
| Additionally, upon incorporation into DHS, FEMA was legally dissolved and a new Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate was established in DHS to replace it. Following enactment of the [[Post-Katrina Emergency Management Reform Act of 2006]] FEMA was reestablished as an entity within DHS, on March 31, 2007.
| |
|
| |
| ===Southern Florida hurricanes===
| |
| South Florida newspaper ''[[Sun-Sentinel]]'' has an extensive list of documented criticisms of FEMA during the four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004.<ref name="ss-overview">{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-femacoverage,0,6697347.storygallery?coll=sfla-news-utility|title=Sun-Sentinel Investigation: FEMA|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=February 20, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070220220845/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-femacoverage,0,6697347.storygallery?coll=sfla-news-utility|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| |
| Some of the criticisms include:
| |
| * When [[Hurricane Frances]] hit [[South Florida]] on [[Labor Day]] weekend (over 100 miles north of Miami-Dade County), 9,800 Miami-Dade applicants were approved by FEMA for $21 million in storm claims for new furniture; clothes; thousands of new televisions, microwaves and refrigerators; cars; dental bills; and a funeral even though the Medical Examiner recorded no deaths from Frances. A U.S. Senate committee and the inspector general of the [[Department of Homeland Security]] found that FEMA inappropriately declared Miami-Dade county a disaster area and then awarded millions, often without verifying storm damage or a need for assistance.<ref name="ss-thunderstorm">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|first2=Megan|last2=O'Matz|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10oct10,0,4751704.story|title=FEMA Gave $21 Million in Miami-Dade, Where Storms Were 'Like a Severe Thunderstorm'|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=October 10, 2004|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=June 25, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080625022705/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10oct10,0,4751704.story|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="ss-homestead">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema08jun08,0,1732468.story|title=Homestead Women Sentenced to Probation for Cheating FEMA|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=June 8, 2005|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=August 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817071049/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema08jun08,0,1732468.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| |
| * FEMA used hurricane aid money to pay funeral expenses for at least 203 Floridians whose deaths were not caused by the 2004 hurricanes, the state's coroners have concluded. Ten of the people whose funerals were paid for were not in Florida at the time of their deaths.<ref name="ss-funerals">{{cite news|first1=Sally|last1=Kestin|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10aug10,0,2326863.story|title=FEMA Paid for at Least 203 Funerals Not Related to 2004 Hurricanes|work=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=August 10, 2005|access-date=April 18, 2007|archive-date=June 28, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628201251/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/sfl-fema10aug10,0,2326863.story|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| The rising sea levels, global temperatures, and increase of flooding and severe storms has called for a change within the procedure of flood insurance. The communities that are directly impacted by these changes include coastal communities and waterfront homes. The procedural design of flood insurance is done through [[FEMA]]’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) [[National Flood Insurance Program]]. Previously the Insurance Program created in 1968 was constructed around the "100-year floodplain" which is the "area that would be inundated by the [[100-year flood]], better thought of as an area that has a one percent or greater chance of experiencing a flood in any single year",<ref>{{Cite web |title=Q. 16, Short EAF (Part 1) 100 Year Flood Plain - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation |url=https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/90565.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=www.dec.ny.gov}}</ref> and large subsidies for coastal homes, especially in [[Florida]]. However, in 2019, major changes were made, and the new program called Risk Rating 2.0 was introduced, which prices a house on its individual flood risk.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Flavelle |first=Christopher |date=2021-09-24 |title=The Cost of Insuring Expensive Waterfront Homes Is About to Skyrocket |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/24/climate/federal-flood-insurance-cost.html |access-date=2023-02-17 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> It will account for the distance one's house is from a flood source, the types and frequency of flooding, and characteristics of the cost to rebuild. This new program will greatly impact states like Florida that have intense risk of hurricanes and [[sea level rise]]. Through the initial program, the homes on the coast were mostly being subsidized at the cost of the homeowners more inland, and more likely lower-income and people of color.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} However, as previously stated, with Risk Rating 2.0, homeowners in higher risk areas of greater flooding will be paying for that risk through insurance, and with that may come with re-evaluating the longevity of one's place on the coasts of Florida. On the other hand, with FEMA's program as a national program, we{{Who|date=May 2022}} see different impacts in places like New England.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 10, 2021 |title=FEMA's flood insurance system, prices changing |url=https://www.newscentermaine.com/article/tech/science/environment/femas-flood-insurance-system-prices-changing/97-75693fbc-a012-4649-af4c-2a9003e8edb0 |access-date=2023-02-17 |website=newscentermaine.com |language=en-US}}</ref> It has been indicated that states like Maine will be greatly impacted positively by the new program. The bays, inlets, and coves are proved to be good protective measures for most waterfront properties. In addition to Maine, states like Iowa and Nebraska will see impacts to their flood insurance policies. It is stated that almost 50% of Nebraskans and 40% of Iowans will see a decrease in their policies.<ref>[https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/how-fema-e2-80-99s-new-flood-insurance-rules-affect-nebraska-iowa/ar-AAQzeKf "How FEMA’s New Flood Insurance Rules Affect Nebraska, Iowa." n.d. Www.msn.com. Accessed November 18, 2021.]</ref> Overall we{{Who|date=May 2022}} see many different types of complications to this new set-up, such as retirees on fixed incomes, long-term mortgages, and depreciation of household value. As this program is relatively new, impacts of the program will continue to be seen in the following years.
| |
|
| |
| ===Hurricane Katrina===
| |
| [[File:Katrina-14451.jpg|thumb|Evacuees taking shelter at the [[Astrodome]] in [[Houston, Texas]]]]
| |
| {{see also|Criticism of the government response to Hurricane Katrina}}
| |
| FEMA received intense criticism for its response to the [[Hurricane Katrina]] disaster in August 2005. FEMA had pre-positioned response personnel in the Gulf Coast region. However, many could not render direct assistance and were able to report only on the dire situation along the Gulf Coast, especially from New Orleans. Within three days, a large contingent of [[United States National Guard|National Guard]] and [[active duty]] troops were deployed to the region.
| |
|
| |
| The enormous number of evacuees simply overwhelmed rescue personnel. The situation was compounded by flood waters in the city that hampered transportation and poor communication among the federal government, state, and local entities. FEMA was widely criticized for what is seen as a slow initial response to the disaster and an inability to effectively manage, care for, and move those who were trying to leave the city.
| |
|
| |
| Then-FEMA Director [[Michael D. Brown]] was criticized personally for a slow response and an apparent disconnection with the situation. Brown would eventually be relieved of command of the Katrina disaster and soon thereafter resigned.
| |
|
| |
| According to the [[U.S. House of Representatives]] Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina:<ref>[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/execsummary.pdf "Executive Summary, Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211115815/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/execsummary.pdf |date=February 11, 2012 }}. February 15, 2006. [[U.S. Government Printing Office]]. Retrieved June 11, 2007.</ref>
| |
| *"The Secretary [[Department of Homeland Security]] should have designated the Principal Federal Official on Saturday, two days prior to landfall, from the roster of PFOs who had successfully completed the required training, unlike then FEMA Director Michael Brown. Considerable confusion was caused by the Secretary's PFO decisions."
| |
| *"DHS and FEMA lacked adequate trained and experienced staff for the Katrina response."
| |
| *"The readiness of FEMA's national emergency response teams was inadequate and reduced the effectiveness of the federal response."
| |
| *"Long-standing weaknesses and the magnitude of the disaster overwhelmed FEMA's ability to provide emergency shelter and temporary housing."
| |
| *"FEMA logistics and contracting systems did not support a targeted, massive, and sustained provision of commodities."
| |
| *"Before Katrina, FEMA suffered from a lack of sufficiently trained procurement professionals."
| |
|
| |
| [[File:FEMA - 14850 - Photograph by Win Henderson taken on 09-05-2005 in Louisiana.jpg|thumb|A DMAT member assures a rescued man that the trip to the airport will be safe.]]
| |
| Other failings were also noted. The Committee devoted an entire section of the report to listing the actions of FEMA.<ref name=repreport>[http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fema.pdf "FEMA, Select Bipartisan Committee to Investigate the Preparation for and Response to Hurricane Katrina"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302124745/http://www.gpoaccess.gov/katrinareport/fema.pdf |date=March 2, 2012 }}. February 15, 2006. [[U.S. Government Printing Office]]. Retrieved June 11, 2007.</ref> Their conclusion was:
| |
|
| |
| <blockquote>For years emergency management professionals have been warning that FEMA's preparedness has eroded. Many believe this erosion is a result of the separation of the preparedness function from FEMA, the drain of long-term professional staff along with their institutional knowledge and expertise, and the inadequate readiness of FEMA's national emergency response teams. The combination of these staffing, training, and organizational structures made FEMA's inadequate performance in the face of a
| |
| disaster the size of Katrina all but inevitable.<ref name=repreport/></blockquote>
| |
|
| |
| Pursuant to a temporary restraining order issued by Hon. [[Stanwood Duval|Stanwood R. Duval]], United States District Court Judge, Eastern District of Louisiana as a result of the [[McWaters v. FEMA]] class-action, February 7, 2006, was set as the deadline for the official end of any further coverage of temporary housing costs for Katrina victims.<ref name="Duval-2005">{{cite web |last=Duval|first=Stanwood R. Jr.|author2=United States District Court|author3=Eastern District of Louisiana|date=December 12, 2005 |url=http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/05-5488order.pdf|title="Order of December 12, 2005" (Rec. Doc. No. 63) |quotation="Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488) |website=USCourts.gov|access-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070307150128/http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/05-5488order.pdf|archive-date=March 7, 2007|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Duval-2006">{{cite web|last=Duval|first=Stanwood R. Jr.|author2=United States District Court |author3=Eastern District of Louisiana|url=http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/order011206.pdf|title="Modified Order of January 12, 2006" (Ref. Doc. No. 74)|quotation="Beatrice B. Mcwaters, et al. v. Federal Emergency Management Section 'K' (3)" (No. 05-5488)|website=USCourts.gov|access-date=April 18, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070415094442/http://www.laed.uscourts.gov/GENERAL/Notices/order011206.pdf|archive-date=April 15, 2007|df=mdy}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| After the February 7 deadline, Katrina victims were left to their own devices either to find permanent housing for the long term or to continue in social welfare programs set up by other organizations. There were many Katrina [[Internally displaced person|evacuees]] living in temporary shelters or [[FEMA trailer|trailer parks set up by FEMA]] and other relief organizations in the first months after the disaster hit, but much more were still unable to find housing.
| |
|
| |
| In July 2007, ice that had been ordered for Katrina victims but had never been used and kept in storage facilities, at a cost of $12.5 million, was melted down.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/fema-to-melt-ice-stored-since-katrina/ "FEMA To Melt Ice Stored Since Katrina"] . [[CBS News]].</ref>
| |
|
| |
| In June 2008, a CNN investigation found that FEMA gave away about $85 million in household goods meant for Hurricane Katrina victims to 16 other states.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/06/11/fema.giveaway/index.html FEMA Gives Away $85 Million of Supplies for Katrina Victims"]. [[CNN]].</ref>
| |
|
| |
| ===Buffalo snowstorm===
| |
| FEMA came under attack for their response to the [[October Surprise Storm]] in [[Buffalo, New York]], on October 13, 2006. As FEMA legally cannot interfere with state business unless asked, FEMA responded that as per procedure, the governor of the state of New York, [[George Pataki]], had not asked for FEMA's assistance. FEMA Headquarters had been in constant contact with State congressional offices providing them with the latest information available. Claims state that FEMA officials did not arrive until October 16, three days after the storm hit. The [[snowstorm]] damage by this time included downed power wires, downed trees, and caused structural damage to homes and businesses.<ref>[http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=30859 "FEMA Replies to Unjustified Claims Regarding FEMA's Response To Early Snowstorm In Western New York"]. Federal Emergency Management Agency. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120128032323/http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease.fema?id=30859 |date=January 28, 2012}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| ===Dumas, Arkansas, tornadoes===
| |
| Many people of [[Dumas, Arkansas]], especially victims of [[tornadoes]] on February 24, 2007, criticized FEMA's response in not supplying the number of new trailers they needed, and sending only a set of used trailers, lower than the needed quantity. Following the storm, [[United States Senate|U.S Senator]] [[Mark Pryor]] had criticized FEMA's response to the recovery and cleanup efforts.<ref>[https://www.usatoday.com/weather/storms/tornados/2007-03-08-fema-response_n.htm "Ark. Pols Blast FEMA for Tornado Response"]. ''[[USA Today]]''.</ref>
| |
|
| |
| ===California wildfires===
| |
| {{see also|2007 California wildfires}}
| |
| FEMA came under intense criticism when it was revealed that a press conference on the [[October 2007 California wildfires]] was staged. Deputy Administrator [[Harvey E. Johnson Jr.|Harvey E. Johnson]] was answering questions from FEMA employees who were posing as reporters. Many of these questions were "softball" questions (i.e., "Are you happy with FEMA's response so far?"), intentionally asked in a way that would evoke a positive response giving the impression that FEMA was doing everything right. In this way, any scrutiny from real reporters (many of whom were given only a 15-minute notice) would have been avoided. Fox News, MSNBC, and other media outlets aired the staged press briefing live.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/26/fema-softball-presser/|title=FEMA Stages Press Conference: Staff Pose As Journalists And Ask 'Softball' Questions|website=ThinkProgress.org|access-date=April 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522034446/http://thinkprogress.org/2007/10/26/fema-softball-presser/|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Real reporters were notified only 15 minutes in advance and were able to call into only a conference line, which was set to "listen-only" mode. The only people there were primarily FEMA public affairs employees.<ref>Ripley, Amanda (October 28, 2007). [https://web.archive.org/web/20071030121734/http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1677166,00.html "Why FEMA Fakes It with the Press"]. ''[[Time (magazine)|Time]]''.</ref>
| |
|
| |
| ===Hurricane Maria===
| |
| {{see also|Hurricane Maria}}
| |
| In September 2017, Hurricane Maria struck [[Dominica]] and [[Puerto Rico]] with 175 mph (280 km/h) sustained winds. Maria was the fifth-strongest storm to ever strike the United States with stronger winds than those brought by [[Hurricane Irma|Irma]] and similar rain brought to Houston by Hurricane Harvey.<ref name="widener.edu">[https://0-web-b-ebscohost-com.libcat.widener.edu/ehost/detail/detail?vid=10&sid=48530d06-14e6-4d07-87ef-e59946b8c2c0%40sessionmgr102&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#AN=125386172&db=bsh] {{dead link|date=October 2018}}</ref>
| |
| Despite FEMA's preemptive efforts in Puerto Rico, the island was still devastated beyond expectation. The agency had prepared some provisions for displaced residents before the storm struck, including: roughly 124 FEMA staff members being positioned on the island, food, water, and bedding.<ref name="widener.edu"/> However, people reported the FEMA food packages were unhealthy snacks such as the confectionery [[Skittles (confectionery)|Skittles]].<ref name="skittles">{{cite news|title=Are Hurricane Maria Survivors Getting 'Skittle Meals' From The Government?|url=http://www.snopes.com/2017/10/16/hurricane-maria-skittle-meals/|access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Snopes.com|date=October 16, 2017}}</ref> FEMA was widely criticized for its response to Maria, as the island quickly fell into a humanitarian crisis.<ref name="humanitarian crisis">{{cite news|last1=Walsh|first1=Deirdre|title=Ryan says Puerto Rico will get aid, calls situation 'a humanitarian crisis'|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/09/26/politics/paul-ryan-puerto-rico-humanitarian-crisis/index.html|access-date=October 17, 2017|website=Cnn.com|date=September 26, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Maria 2017 - yet to authorize">{{cite news|last1=Campbell|first1=Alexia Fernandez|title=FEMA has yet to authorize full disaster help for Puerto Rico |url=https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/10/3/16400510/fema-puerto-rico-hurricane?yptr=yahoo|access-date=October 17, 2017 |website=Vox.com|date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| The island also experienced a massive loss of power as a result of flood and wind damage sustained during Maria. In the beginning of October 2017, Lieutenant General [[Todd T. Semonite|Todd Semonite]], chief and commanding general of the United States Army Corps of Engineers, explained the extent of and necessity of aid for this power crisis. Semonite described some specifics of the outage to reporters, explaining that the island requires "2,700 [[Watt#Megawatt|megawatt]]s of electricity to operate and at last count had 376 megawatts available." This translates to about 14 percent of the grid being functional.<ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/fema-administrator-puerto-ricos-politics-lack-of-unity-hindering-hurricane-response/2017/10/09/f1711996-ad10-11e7-9e58-e6288544af98_story.html|title=FEMA administrator: Puerto Rico's politics, lack of unity, hindering hurricane response |first1=Joel |last1=Achenbach|first2=Arelis R.|last2=Hernández|date=October 9, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2017 |via=www.WashingtonPost.com}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| FEMA Administrator [[Brock Long|William "Brock" Long]] told reporters in a briefing following the storm that Puerto Rico politics had hindered the ability of the federal government to send aid. He explained that political divisions had prevented unity for leaders in this time of crisis, describing that their issue was "even worse" than the mainland United States' issue between Democrats and Republicans. Residents, in some cases, were required to fill out paperwork in English rather than Spanish with little to no hope of receiving the aid they had requested.<ref name="auto"/>
| |
|
| |
| Brigadier General [[José J. Reyes|Jose Reyes]] of the [[Puerto Rico National Guard]] discussed a strategy to quicken the arrival of resources via the Port of Ponce, located on the southern coast of Puerto Rico.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/details/ports/12501/Puerto_Rico_port:PONCE|title=Port of PONCE (PR PSE) details – Departures, Expected Arrivals and Port Calls – AIS Marine Traffic|website=MarineTraffic.com|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref> Reyes also attributed the delay in these services to the unprecedented series of storms that demanded attention from the agency within a short period of time. Regarding this, General Reyes told reporters " We were not even getting back on our feet after Irma, then suddenly we got hit by Maria." He also addressed the disparities between aid sent to mainland disaster-stricken areas and Puerto Rico, explaining that in areas such as Florida and Texas, who had recently struck with similar damages, transportation of resources is relatively simpler. This is because they are able to utilize infrastructure to transport aid. Transporting similar resources to Puerto Rico has proved to be more difficult, as they must travel across the ocean, either in aircraft or in ships.<ref name="auto"/> Long also mentioned that Puerto Rico's international airport was not able to operate at full capacity, which posed an additional obstacle for federal aid imports.
| |
|
| |
| Long resigned on March 8, 2019, following criticism of his handling of Hurricane Maria and an ethical complaint over misuse of official vehicles, costing $151,000.<ref name ="Bloomberg-Long-Resignation">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Jennifer |last2=Flavelle |first2=Christopher |date=February 13, 2019 |title=FEMA Chief Brock Long Leaving Agency He Led Through Deadly Storms |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/fema-chief-brock-long-said-to-be-planning-to-leave-agency |work=Bloomberg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191017224452/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-02-13/fema-chief-brock-long-said-to-be-planning-to-leave-agency |archive-date=October 17, 2019 |access-date=May 3, 2020 |quote=Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen said that Long would have to reimburse the government for the cost of the vehicles and staff involved in the trips, many of which were between Washington and his home in North Carolina. The report puts that cost at $151,000.}}</ref> Homeland Security Secretary [[Kirstjen Nielsen]] said that Long would have to reimburse the government for the cost of the vehicles and staff involved in the trips, many of which were between Washington and his home in [[North Carolina]]. Nielsen submitted her own resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security less than a month later on April 7, 2019.<ref name="cbs-neilsen-resignation">{{cite news |last=Reid |first=Paula |date=April 8, 2019 |title=DHS Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen speaks for first time since resignation announcement |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kirstjen-nielsen-resigning-dhs-secretary-expected-to-offer-resignation-today-live-updates-2019-04-07/ |work=CBS News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200417135257/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kirstjen-nielsen-resigning-dhs-secretary-expected-to-offer-resignation-today-live-updates-2019-04-07/ |archive-date=April 17, 2020 }}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| ===Hurricane Harvey===
| |
| {{see also|Hurricane Harvey}}
| |
| Hurricane Harvey made landfall in late August 2017 as a [[Saffir–Simpson scale#Category 4|Category 4]] Hurricane with 130 mph (215 km/h) sustained winds. The Hurricane predominantly affected southeast [[Texas]]; however, its effects were felt as far as Arkansas, [[Kentucky]], and [[Tennessee]] in the form of flash flooding.<ref name="auto1">{{cite news|title=Historic Hurricane Harvey's Recap|url=https://weather.com/storms/hurricane/news/tropical-storm-harvey-forecast-texas-louisiana-arkansas|access-date=December 2, 2017|website=Weather.com|date=September 2, 2017}}</ref> Harvey slowly progressed around southeast Texas, where it produced heavy precipitation over the region. This caused heavy flooding in residential areas such as [[Colorado City, Texas|Colorado City]], [[Liberty, Texas|Liberty]], and [[Montgomery, Texas]].<ref name="auto1"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fema.gov/disaster/4332|title=Texas Hurricane Harvey (DR-4332) – FEMA.gov|website=Fema.gov|access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| Harvey was the first of a [[2017 Atlantic hurricane season#Hurricane Jose|series of hurricanes]] and tropical storms to affect the United States between August and September 2017. The effects of these storms included extreme flooding, damage from high speed winds, structural damage, and humanitarian concerns regarding the availability of basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2017/10/10/weather/hurricane-nate-maria-irma-harvey-impact-look-back-trnd/index.html|title=A look at four storms from one brutal hurricane season|first=AJ|last=Willingham|website=Cnn.com|date=October 10, 2017 |access-date=December 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unocha.org/hurricane-season-2017|title=Hurricane Season 2017 – OCHA|website=UNOCHA.org|date=September 20, 2017|access-date=December 16, 2017|archive-date=December 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171215164707/http://www.unocha.org/hurricane-season-2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| Some recipients were forced to wait up to two months before receiving aid from FEMA, as technical complications held up both their application for it and the processing of said applications. Some residents were denied Federal Aid and have to dispute their denial in efforts to rebuild and repair properties without taking a considerably large financial loss.
| |
|
| |
| === Coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) ===
| |
| {{see also|COVID-19 pandemic in the United States}}
| |
|
| |
| In early April 2020, the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that the [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] was "quietly" seizing medical supplies from states and hospitals, citing hospital and clinic officials catering to seven states. These officials stated that the administration has not informed them how they can otherwise get access to their ordered supplies. A FEMA representative said the agency, working with the [[United States Department of Health and Human Services|Department of Health and Human Services]] and the [[United States Department of Defense|Department of Defense]], has developed a system for identifying needed supplies from vendors and distributing them equitably. The federal government also seized an order for thermometers meant for Florida, an order for masks from the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, and an order for testing supplies meant for the [[PeaceHealth]] hospital system in Washington, [[Oregon]] and [[Alaska]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Levey |first1=Noam |title=Hospitals say feds are seizing masks and other coronavirus supplies without a word |url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-04-07/hospitals-washington-seize-coronavirus-supplies |access-date=April 27, 2020 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=April 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200504153309/https://www.latimes.com/politics/story/2020-04-07/hospitals-washington-seize-coronavirus-supplies |archive-date=May 4, 2020}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| On April 24, [[San Francisco]] Mayor [[London Breed]] said "We've had situations when things we've ordered that have gone through Customs were confiscated by FEMA to be diverted to other locations. We know everyone is dealing with a serious challenge. Through Customs, we've had situations where those items have been taken and put out on the market for the highest bidder, putting cities against cities and states against states."<ref name="SF-PPE-diverted">{{cite news |last=Pereira |first=Alyssa |date=April 24, 2020 |title=Breed says SF's PPE orders have been diverted to France and 'confiscated' by FEMA |url=https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/Breed-SF-PPE-orders-diverted-to-france-FEMA-15224831.php |url-status=live |work=SFGate |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200426123242/https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/Breed-SF-PPE-orders-diverted-to-france-FEMA-15224831.php |archive-date=April 26, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020 }}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| [[Massachusetts]] Secretary of [[Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services|Health and Human Services]] Marylou Sudders cited a shipment of 3 million masks that the state had negotiated to buy from [[BJ's Wholesale Club]], until the federal government impounded them from the [[Port of New York and New Jersey]] on March 18. A further order from [[MSC Industrial Direct|MSC Industrial Supply]] for 400 masks to be delivered on March 20 was also claimed by the federal government using [[force majeure]].<ref name="BGlobe-Mar27">{{cite news |last1=Stout |first1=Matt |last2=McGrane |first2=Victoria |date=March 27, 2020 |title=In state's intense chase for protective equipment, coronavirus isn't the only rival — the feds are, too |url=https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/27/nation/states-intense-chase-protective-equipment-coronavirus-isnt-only-rival/ |url-status=live |work=The Boston Globe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418043613/https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/03/27/nation/states-intense-chase-protective-equipment-coronavirus-isnt-only-rival/ |archive-date=April 18, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref> Massachusetts Governor [[Charlie Baker]] reached out to the [[New England Patriots]] professional American football team, who used the team plane "AirKraft" to bring approximately 1.2 million N95 masks from China to Boston.<ref name="WWLP-NE-Patriots">{{cite news |last=Asiamah |first=Nancy |date=Apr 3, 2020 |title=3 million masks ordered by Massachusetts were seized at Port of NY in March |url=https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/3-million-masks-ordered-by-massachusetts-seized-at-port-of-ny-in-march/ |url-status=live |work=WWLP 22 News |location=Boston, Massachusetts |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412104110/https://www.wwlp.com/news/massachusetts/3-million-masks-ordered-by-massachusetts-seized-at-port-of-ny-in-march/ |archive-date=April 12, 2020 |access-date=April 27, 2020}}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| In late April, reports of the actions taken by FEMA in Massachusetts prompted [[Maryland]] [[Governor of Maryland|Governor]] [[Larry Hogan]] to deploy the [[Maryland Army National Guard|Maryland National Guard]] and task them with guarding a shipment of 500,000 COVID-19 testing kits purchased from [[South Korea]]n company LabGenomics by the [[Government of Maryland]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Shapiro |first=Ariel |title=Maryland Gov. Hogan Takes Extraordinary Steps To Keep Feds From Confiscating COVID Tests |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/arielshapiro/2020/04/30/maryland-gov-hogan-takes-extraordinary-steps-to-keep-feds-from-confiscating-covid-tests-trump/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Czachor |first=Emily |date=2020-04-30 |title=National Guard protecting Maryland's coronavirus tests in undisclosed location so federal government can't seize them |url=https://www.newsweek.com/national-guard-protecting-marylands-coronavirus-tests-undisclosed-location-so-federal-government-1501309 |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Newsweek |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Governor Larry Hogan - Official Website for the Governor of Maryland |url=http://governor.maryland.gov/ |access-date=2022-07-14 |website=Governor of Maryland |language=en}}</ref> The tests were subsequently held in an "undisclosed location," under the continued supervision of the Maryland National Guard.
| |
|
| |
| The state of [[Colorado]] was set to purchase 500 ventilators before Federal Emergency Management Agency swooped in and bought them first. [[Donald Trump|President Trump]] announced on [[Twitter]] that the federal government would be sending 100 ventilators to Colorado at the request of [[Cory Gardner|Senator Cory Gardner]].<ref name="DP-CO-500-Vent">{{cite news |last=Wingerter |first=Justin |date=April 8, 2020 |title=Feds sending 100 ventilators to Colorado, Trump says |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/08/colorado-coronavirus-ventilators-trump-gardner/ |url-status=live |work=The Denver Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200422210957/https://www.denverpost.com/2020/04/08/colorado-coronavirus-ventilators-trump-gardner/ |archive-date=April 22, 2020 |access-date=May 6, 2020 |quote=FEMA bought 500 ventilators out from under state, governor said last week}}</ref> The incident caused Colorado [[Jared Polis|Governor Polis]] to make future supply purchases in secret.<ref name="CBS-Den-Polis">{{cite news |last=Morfitt |first=Karen |date=May 1, 2020 |title='It's A Global Free For All': Gov. Polis Says He's Making Coronavirus Supply Purchases In Secret |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/05/01/colorado-polis-coronavirus-secret-supply-purchases/ |url-status=dead |work=CBS4 Denver |location=Denver, Colorado |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200503050452/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2020/05/01/colorado-polis-coronavirus-secret-supply-purchases/ |archive-date=May 3, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |quote=Last month the governor made claims that FEMA swooped in to obtain ventilators he thought were coming to Colorado. He says now they’re careful to keep all purchases under wraps. }}</ref>
| |
|
| |
| In late April, 5,000,000 masks meant for hospitals of the [[Veterans Health Administration]] were seized by FEMA and redirected to the [[Strategic National Stockpile]], stated Richard Stone, Executive in Charge, Veterans Health Administration.<ref name="FEMA-seizure">{{cite news |last=Papenfuss |first=Mary |date=April 25, 2020 |title=FEMA Reportedly Took The 5 Million Masks Ordered For Veterans To Send To Stockpile |url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fema-hijacks-masks-for-veterans-hospitals_n_5ea4c72dc5b6805f9ece2bc3 |url-status=live |work=Huffington Post |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200505030145/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/fema-hijacks-masks-for-veterans-hospitals_n_5ea4c72dc5b6805f9ece2bc3 |archive-date=May 5, 2020 |access-date=May 5, 2020 |quote=FEMA instructed vendors with protective equipment ordered by the Veterans Administration to send the shipments instead to the stockpile.}}</ref> After an appeal from Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilkie to FEMA, the agency provided the VA with 500,000 masks.<ref name="FEMA-seizure" />
| |
|
| |
|
| ==Federalism and FEMA== | | ==Federalism and FEMA== |