Congressional and National Updates
Congress remains unlikely to replenish FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund any time soon. While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle recognize the urgent need to do so – FEMA is projected to run out of reserves early next month – the congressional schedule and a host of other pressing matters makes a quick replenishment of the fund improbable.
Meanwhile, the recent demands expressed by the House Freedom Caucus – which suggest the high likelihood of a government shutdown – make replenishment even less likely.
The White House released a request for a supplemental spending bill that included $12 billion in funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund. No funds were requested for HUD’s long-term recovery programs.
The Brookings Institution released a report on the need to consolidate and streamline federal disaster recovery programs and agencies, arguing that the current patchwork of federal agencies requires improved interagency coordination and reforms for FEMA.
The Government Accountability Office released a report requesting that HUD develop greater data collection guidance to support analysis of block grant funds, including funds associated with the agency’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
The National Governors Association’s Public Health and Disaster Response Task Force held a meeting at this year’s National Governors Association annual convening. The prospect of permanently authorizing the CDBG-DR program – a goal supported by NLIHC’s Disaster Housing Recovery Coalition’s (DHRC) – was not discussed.
Disaster Updates
Maui Wildfires
The number of those missing following the wildfires that tore through portions of Maui has ballooned to more than 1,000. Authorities are urging those who may have lost loved ones to donate DNA samples in order to help identify bodies. Currently, the death toll stands at 115.
The fires destroyed 2,200 buildings – 86% of which were residential – mostly in the City of Lahaina. In total, 10 square miles of Maui’s 735-square-mile surface area burnt during the fires.
According to Maui County, there are currently 11 hotel shelters housing those whose homes were damaged or destroyed. In addition, there are 28 meal distribution sites, three social service sites, and two water distribution sites currently operational, along with various medical, logistical, and supply distribution areas.
Hawaii emergency managers faced significant public scrutiny in the aftermath of the fires, specifically regarding the lack of evacuation warnings issued before the disaster spiraled out of control. Road closures complicated the evacuation. Some closures were established due to the fires themselves, while others were put in place because of power lines brought down by high winds.
President Biden toured impacted areas of Maui on August 21 and promised to provide federal assistance for local authorities and families.
Maui has become accustomed to wildfires. A blaze in 2018 destroyed over a dozen homes, after which authorities warned that a repeat scenario could be even more destructive.
A list of resources to assist survivors of the Maui fire is available here.
Tropical Storm Hillary
In a meteorologically rare event, a tropical cyclone originating in the Pacific Ocean impacted portions of southern California, Arizona, and Nevada on August 20 and 21. Tropical Storm Hilary impacted communities across the region, leading to catastrophic flooding and mudslides in mountainous and desert areas. Several non-profits are operating assistance programs.
For those experiencing homelessness in the region, the risk from catastrophic flooding was severe. Housing and community mutual aid organizations worked to move those living on the street into emergency shelters and hotel rooms in advance of the storm. However, many viewed the preparations as incomplete, leaving those who might be affected unaware or unprepared for the storm.
Mutual aid groups shouldered the difficult job of providing direct assistance to many of Los Angeles’s homeless residents in advance of Tropical Storm Hilary, despite receiving little assistance from city authorities.
For many survivors of Hurricane Ian, persistent extreme heat is proving to be a second disaster, especially for individuals vulnerable to heat-related health impacts, such as individuals with disabilities and older residents.
Several people were reported missing in the mountains east of Los Angeles in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Hilary.
Washington State Wildfires
More than 200 homes have been destroyed by wildfires in areas outside of Spokane in eastern Washington State. The fires, which as of late last week had killed two people, remain active at varying levels of containment.
Firefighters made some progress over the course of last week, allowing highways to reopen across the region.
The town of Medical Lake was significantly impacted by the wildfires, leading to the displacement of 5,000 residents. Many are returning to find their homes destroyed.
The wildfires were fueling air quality advisories across the Pacific Northwest.
Tropical Storm Harold
Severe rainfall raised concerns of catastrophic flooding in the southern portion of Texas as Tropical Storm Harold roared ashore on August 22. The storm dissipated over Texas on August 23.
The storm triggered flash floods and power outages and threatened to create multiple tornados as it plowed through the region. Damage assessments are ongoing.
Northeast Floods
After catastrophic flooding, many Vermonters are making hard choices about where and whether to rebuild.
Vermont’s lone landfill is struggling to handle the surge in flood debris as debris removal efforts shift into full swing in many parts of the state thanks to FEMA Public Assistance. Currently, the landfill is at capacity but is keeping pace.
FEMA announced that it would be shipping manufactured housing units to areas affected by flooding to serve as temporary homes for those whose homes were destroyed during the disaster. Authorities estimate that up to 250 housing units needed extreme repairs following the floods. Displaced families are receiving rental assistance funds from FEMA, but many still have nowhere to turn given the lack of housing stock. The manufactured homes should be set up by mid-to-late September.
Some families impacted by flooding are still waiting on federal assistance to begin repairing their flood damaged homes.