U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas' phrases have come again to hang-out him as video from earlier this yr touting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA’s) preparedness earlier than Hurricane Helene uncovered shortcomings in the group.
Mayorkas this week warned that FEMA was working out of funds as hurricane season continued to slam the southeastern United States. The group has sufficient funds to cope with the aftermath of Helene however wouldn't have sufficient to “make it through the season.”
This warning stands in stark distinction to earlier feedback Mayorkas made in the summer season assuring that FEMA would be capable to deal with upcoming climate crises.
“FEMA is tremendously prepared,” Mayorkas assured reporters in a video from July. “This is what we do, this is what they do, and the key here … is to also make sure the communities who are potentially impacted are prepared as well.”
LAWMAKERS OUTRAGED OVER FEMA FUNDING CONCERNS
“And it’s not just hurricanes and wildfires – also extreme heat, which certainly some parts of the United States are experiencing,” he added. Mayorkas burdened that FEMA has “exercised these muscles, regrettably, year after year” attributable to the “increasing frequency and gravity of weather events.”
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 throughout a briefing at the White House in Washington, D.C. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
However, Mayorkas did argue that FEMA’s catastrophe reduction fund remained in a precarious place and wanted contemporary funding from Congress forward of an anticipated heavy hurricane season. In July, he anticipated working out by “mid-August.”
Mayorkas burdened the have to be prepared for the “consequences” of more and more extreme climate occasions as local weather change continues to exacerbate disasters reminiscent of hurricanes and wildfires.
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ‘FAILED TO ACT’ IN HURRICANE HELENE AFTERMATH: REP. CORY MILLS
Hurricane Helene devastated elements of the East Coast final week. Floodwaters and mudslides nearly totally worn out some communities reminiscent of Asheville, North Carolina, the place residents have remained with out electrical energy and cell service whereas going through water, fuel and meals shortages.
Cars sit submerged in a flooded space at a used tire vendor after Hurricane Helene in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on Sept. 27, 2024. (Ken Ruinard/USA Today Network by way of Reuters)
“They're afraid. People are getting on edge,” retired Asheville, North Carolina, Police Officer Steve Antle informed Fox News Digital. “They've already had people doing some minor looting in the area. Because there's no power … so it's just a free-for-all at this point. There are no traffic signals. There are not enough police officers.”
FEMA arrived in Western North Carolina on Monday after President Biden permitted federal sources, however some residents as of Thursday mentioned they nonetheless had not seen any federal officers.
GEOGRAPHIC TERRITORY OF HURRICANE DISASTER IS ‘GIGANTIC’: REP JARED MOSKOWITZ
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., informed Fox News host Sean Hannity that no FEMA rep had visited elements of South Carolina however had acquired assurances they'd after he raised the difficulty with them.
Flood harm at a bridge throughout Mill Creek in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 30, 2024 in Old Fort, North Carolina. The White House has permitted catastrophe declarations in North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, releasing up federal emergency administration cash and sources for these states. ( Sean Rayford/Getty Images)
“You know where I’m going to look to get money to help with this disaster?” Graham mentioned. “There’s a couple hundred billion dollars in the Inflation Reduction Act … that hasn’t been spent.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Why don’t we take money from the Inflation Reduction Act and apply it to this disaster?” Graham requested. “That’s what I’ll be trying to do.”
Fox News Digital’s Audrey Conklin and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
