FEMA

A Miami Herald investigation reveals that in Florida, it’s difficult for the public to identify flood-prone neighborhoods and nearly impossible for prospective buyers to find the history of individual homes.

The abrupt change came the day after Cameron Hamilton, a former Navy SEAL who held the job for the last few months, testified on Capitol Hill that he did not agree with proposals to dismantle an organization that helps plan for natural disasters and distributes financial assistance.

To help homes survive more intense disasters, FEMA has been developing recommendations for stronger building codes. The Trump Administration has pulled them back.

President Trump has pledged to reform FEMA, while suggesting it should be done away with. Two Floridians who used to lead the agency told WLRN they support the process — but caution federal emergency management is needed. Few states have as much at stake as Florida.

Many undocumented people are not eligible for federal financial disaster aid and several remain fearful even when help is offered.

Fort Myers Beach loses flood insurance discounts after a problematic rebuild from Hurricane Ian.

Castor also emphasized the need to modernize wastewater systems and the power grid in the wake of recent storms.

Fla. Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Deanne Criswell, and a former FEMA supervisor for violating Floridians' civil rights after hurricanes.

The Biden administration has approved more than $2.3 billion for those affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Studies show the system for distributing the funds deepens historical divides.

An onslaught of conspiracy theories followed Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Although many of the claims originate online, targeting FEMA has real-world consequences, including deterring storm victims from seeking federal aid and endangering the agency’s employees on the ground.

Disaster relief often becomes political because so many people are affected — and because there is a lot of media coverage surrounding hurricanes, floods and other major weather events. Additionally, relief requires a lot of money and coordination by high-profile elected officials.

Fewer than 10 percent of the agency’s disaster workers are available to respond to Hurricane Milton and other calamities.