Trump Scales Back Emergency Funds as Hurricane Season Starts

Two weeks before the 2020 Election Day, Donald Trump visited western North Carolina, where Tropical Storm Helene had caused significant damage and frustration with the government was high. Trump promised to improve crisis response if elected, acknowledging the lessons from the hurricane’s destruction on September 27.

Despite winning the election and returning to power, the Trump Administration is not prioritizing the rebuilding of the devastated region in Appalachia. Federal assistance for the area is being reduced, shifting more financial responsibility to the states for future storms as the hurricane season begins.

Trump’s decision to decrease government funding for recovery efforts in North Carolina, where the estimated cost is around $60 billion, deviates from past practices during major crises. The President’s approach of burdening Governors with more responsibility is concerning, especially with hurricane season looming and federal readiness in question.

Trump’s tendency to make grand promises during campaigns and then reduce support once in office is a recurring theme. The President’s actions indicate a shift away from fully funding disaster recovery efforts, leaving states like North Carolina to bear more of the financial burden.

Although FEMA will continue to provide on-the-ground support, the federal government’s reduced financial commitment for cleanup operations is a departure from previous disaster response protocols. While the federal reimbursement rate will still be higher than normal at 90%, Governor Stein had advocated for maintaining a 100% level for an extended period to aid recovery.

The Trump Administration’s decision reflects a broader trend of shifting responsibilities away from the federal government. Trump has shown skepticism towards FEMA, even considering its elimination, and has initiated efforts to reduce the agency’s role in disaster management.

State governors have faced challenges in securing federal emergency declarations under the new approach, highlighting the potential shortcomings of relying on state resources for disaster recovery. As hurricane season approaches, the implications of this shift in federal support may become more apparent to all involved.