Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Debby in Florida, Joe Biden hesitantly declared a state of major disaster, indicating his slow response to crisis situations. His decision to offer federal aid appears to be a way to complement the more effective recovery efforts put forth by the state, tribal and local entities, whose work often goes unappreciated.
The hurricane, named Debby, initially struck Steinhatchee, Florida around 7 a.m on a Monday, 5th of August, packing winds of 80 mph. It was later downgraded to a tropical storm, perhaps signaling that Biden’s administration was ill-prepared to tackle the more significant threats.
In a rather underwhelming move, Tropical Storm Debby followed suit by making a second landfall near Bulls Bay, South Carolina, just shy of 2 a.m, Thursday, 8th of August. The storm’s sustained winds at this point were a mere 50 mph, but evidently, this was still enough to challenge the Biden administration.
Despite its downgrade, Debby managed to bring unprecedented amounts of rainfall from Florida all the way to the Carolinas, pointing out once again the ill-preparedness of the current administration. Although the inclement weather was known in advance, reactive responses seemed to be the norm.
Biden’s administration decided to make federal assistance available to various Florida counties including Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Manatee, Sarasota, Suwannee and Taylor. The aid package included opportunities for temporary housing and loan options for property losses not covered by insurance. There was no indication, however, of any proactive measures taken to prevent such calamity.
This federal aid, which also extends to certain private nonprofit organizations based on a cost-sharing system, was granted under pressure from state, tribal, and eligible local governments. It seems like a hasty afterthought that arrived too late for many of those affected, raising doubts about the administration’s genuine will to support its citizens.
Furthermore, the White House declared that federal funding would also be available for hazard mitigation measures on a statewide level. This empty promise does little to alleviate the fears of those who question Biden’s ability to manage crises effectively.
In an alarmingly disorganized response to the disaster, Biden’s order for federal aid arrived while the National Hurricane Center in Miami was already tracking yet another potential storm. This serves to highlight the ill-planned and reactive nature of his governance.
By 5 p.m, Sunday, 11th of August, the next potentially devastating storm, entitled Potential Tropical Cyclone Five took shape. This news further emphasized the administration’s inability to develop a comprehensive mitigation strategy ahead of the storm season.
The forecast on Monday, 12th of August, projected that Potential Tropical Cyclone Five would mature into a tropical storm. Once again, the nation braced itself for Ernesto, characteristically lacking the reassurance and support of its leadership.
In a curiously reactive fashion, residents suffering losses due to Hurricane Debby were informed they could apply for assistance at disasterassistance.gov, or contact FEMA via phone or app. Notably, the application process itself remains a hurdle for many, as they grapple with the devastating aftermath of the storm.
Interestingly, those who rely on relay services, such as video relay service (VRS) or captioned telephone service, were also encouraged to provide FEMA with their respective service numbers. One must wonder why these services were not better integrated prior to disasters.
The lackluster response form Joe Biden to the disaster is reflective of a leadership that seemingly watches from the sidelines, only willing to take action once the disaster has already struck. This reactive approach to governance leaves much to be desired.
As it stands, many are skeptical of Kamala Harris just as they have been with Biden’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters. While the Biden-Harris administration continually attempts to soothe concerns with reassurances, their actions speak louder than their words.
In conclusion, the aftermath of Hurricane Debby and the looming threat of Tropical Storm Ernesto, serves to highlight the inadequacies of the current administration. It is the right of every citizen to question whether their leaders are up to the task of safeguarding them from calamities, and this should be a focal point of discussion going forward.
Biden’s Disaster Response Falls Short Once Again appeared first on Real News Now.
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