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New Biden administration rules aim to unsnarl FEMA relief for disaster victims

Jan 23, 2024
The rules include up-front housing vouchers and broader access to flexible, critical-needs payments in the aftermath of a disaster.
Two years after the largest wildfire in New Mexico’s history, hundreds of victims are still waiting on FEMA payouts. Updates to FEMA’s regulations are meant to cut through red tape.
Mario Tama/Getty Images

How aid is getting to earthquake-affected Turkey and Syria

Inside the partnerships getting essential aid and care to those impacted by the recent earthquake.
Mehmet Kacmaz/Getty Images

How did disaster aid get tangled up in the fight over the debt ceiling?

Sep 22, 2021
There are more disasters than Congress budgets for. And the federal fiscal year coincides with peak hurricane and wildfire season.
Important legislation is often slated for around the end of the fiscal year — which coincides with the worst period for hurricanes and wildfires.
Drew Angerer via Getty Images

Lack of housing leaves fire survivors searching for solutions

Dec 17, 2018
In the aftermath of the Paradise wildfire, RVs and motels have become housing alternatives for displaced residents.
Kelley Conner stands outside the used RV she bought after the Camp Fire destroyed her home in Magalia, just north of Paradise, California.
Ben Bradford/Marketplace

Strong demand for cleanup crews in North Carolina

Oct 18, 2018
After recent storms, residents are still struggling to get back to normal amid mountains of debris.
“This is heart wrenching, you know?” says Randy Campbell, who with his crew clears debris after disasters. “We just come in and help clean it up and make some money doing it.”
Andy Uhler/Marketplace

Strong demand for cleanup crews in North Carolina

Oct 18, 2018
After recent storms, residents are still struggling to get back to normal amid mountains of debris.
“This is heart wrenching, you know?” says Randy Campbell, who with his crew clears debris after disasters. “We just come in and help clean it up and make some money doing it.”
Andy Uhler/Marketplace

Tariffs on imported materials could push up post-disaster costs

Sep 13, 2018
Hurricane Florence, currently tearing along the Southeast coast of the U.S. could bring wind gusts of 80 mph. The governor of North Carolina said that “tens of thousands of structures are expected to be flooded.” The post-storm costs could be high as communities buy up the drywall, lumber, and steel to rebuild. The price of […]
Waves created by Hurricane Florence are seen along Cherry Grove Fishing Pier on September 14, 2018 in North Myrtle Beach, United States. 
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

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What happens when the government declares a state of emergency?

Sep 13, 2018
How declaring a state of emergency allows states to prepare for natural disasters.
In this NOAA satellite handout image, shows Hurricane Florence it just makes landfall off the coast of the U.S. in the Atlantic Ocean on Sept.13, 2018.
NOAA via Getty Images

How states unlock money to meet hurricane expenses

Sep 13, 2018
Hurricane Florence is expected to make landfall later this week.
A motorist drives through heavy rain before the approaching Hurricane Harvey hits Corpus Christi, Texas, on Friday.
MARK RALSTON/AFP/Getty Images

Hurricane Florence is a big test for FEMA. Is it ready?

Sep 11, 2018
Hurricane Florence is expected to hit several states along the Eastern Seaboard, including North and South Carolina, and Virginia, on Thursday. More than a million people have been ordered to evacuate. Federal agencies are scrambling to coordinate the relief supplies that are probably needed in the days ahead. This will be the Federal Emergency Management […]
 Contractors apply a FEMA tarp to a home damaged by Hurricane Maria and without electricity on Dec. 20, 2017 in Morovis, Puerto Rico. 
Mario Tama/Getty Images