Dark clouds gathered ominously over new resident Buddy Anthony’s recently acquired property. His sanctuary became his Ford F-250 parked beneath the proximity of a carport. Tragically, Mother Nature showed her ruthless side: an incoming twister wrought havoc on the brick household and partially lifted the parked truck, causing severe damage. Miraculously, Buddy emerged unscathed, yet the aftermath meant he was left with no option but to switch his trusty vehicle for a secondhand model, which ultimately became his makeshift home as he anxiously awaited a major disaster declaration that could release federal funding for the beleaguered victims.
Sadly, this agonizing wait has become a dreadfully standard practice for disaster survivors. According to new conclusions derived from long-term data, the wait time to receive aid from the federal government has seen a worrying trend of increase. From the 90s to the early 2000s, obtaining a presidential disaster declaration following a governor’s request hardly took more than a fortnight. This unfolded under the watch of leadership from both main political parties during the last ten years, where the wait subsequently increased to roughly three weeks on an average.
Shocking as it may seem, the waiting period these days easily exceeds a month, keeping in view the experiential average since the start of the current presidential term. These protracted waiting times imply not just added suffering for the victims, who must continue to wait for living allowances, temporary lodging and aids for home reconstruction.
The hesitation in the disaster pronouncement is no less than a barricade for local bodies too, whose rescue endeavors may be hindered by the uncertainty of federal reimbursement for cleanup activities and the rebuilding of infrastructure. Unfortunately for those relying heavily on authorities for support post disasters, American citizens, accounting for about 75% of the populace, firmly believe in a significant role for the U.S. government in disaster restoration.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency does typically engage with the communities affected by disasters in the initial stages to strategize their initial amelioration measures. However, the provision of direct payments to individuals, non-profit organizations and local governing bodies must wait for the disaster to be officially declared ‘major’ by the President.
‘Major’ disaster declarations are used solely for the catastrophic instances that exceed the capabilities of state and local authorities to manage autonomously. This opens the gateway for the federal aid. Unsurprisingly, the frequency and intensity of these disasters has seen a noticeable uptick owing to climate change, predominantly resulting from burning hazardous fuels such as petroleum, coal and oil.
When their abodes are ravaged by such catastrophic events, some people find refuge in shelters arranged by local churches or non-profit organizations in the chaotic aftermath of the disaster. While others are left with no choice but to swing by a hotel if they have the means, or turn to friends or family for temporary housing.
There exist a few brave hearts who choose to stay back in their devastated domiciles, a decision that could expose them to potential risks. If the damaged properties are not repaired correctly, mold can develop, undermining their efforts to rebuild and recover.
Post the Tylertown disaster, faith-based groups played a pivotal role in serving meals and covering houses with tarps, wherein the local residents also banded together, wielding power saws to clear the remnants of tree destruction. Federal aid delays, however, tend to stymie local recovery.
Unlike individual assistance programs that provide immediate monetary relief, FEMA’s public assistance programs function on a repayment model, reimbursing amounts to governing bodies only after the due obligations are settled and given that they have strictly adhered to stipulated guidelines for hiring and documentation.
Unfortunately, this process can become a lengthy affair, extending into months or even years. So, while a delay in a presidential disaster declaration may seem to have minimal impact on the time by which a local government ultimately receives its dues, the delayed decisions often come at a price.
Such procrastinations breed uncertainty and force economy-minded local officials to halt their restoration activities or restrict them to a smaller scale. The delays in federal recognition of the disaster can exert undue pressure on local authorities, compelling them to prioritize among the requisite reparations, like prioritizing the fixing of washed-out roads and culverts over other imperative projects.
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