Just in time for hurricane season! The “President’s Council” to assess FEMA, released on Wednesday, shifts major responsibility for disaster management to the states. The last time I looked, hurricanes and tornados did not respect state borders. To be fair, however, the report notes the lack of “national standards” for rescue and recovery.
The report says that direct payments to states would help the agency in its coordinating role.as the states take on the responsibilities. FEMA was created because states when faced with natural disasters, couldn’t coordinate responses. Congressional action will be required to make some of the changes. Considering its track record, that isn’t good.
Gone will be payouts to persons who have suffered loss and added is the elimination of a federal flood insurance program, to be replaced by insurance company programs. That should make certain political contributors happy. Also gone are the community resilience programs because we all know there is no such thing as climate change. One problem with major disasters is that community groups, including our churches, are not equipped to handle the magnitude of responses necessary.
Prayer for the Day
God who lies beyond our vision, open the eyes of our hearts,
And move us beyond the limits of our senses;
Christ who calls us to serve you in this world,
Expand our sight to see need all around us; ,
Holy Spirit who empowers us to be all we can be,
Be with us this day and always.
We ask this in the name of him who gives us life,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
FEMA should be prioritizing projects that protect the largest number of people and the largest number of homes, and not the homes that are worth the most.
Madison Sloan, Director of Texas Appleseed
Americans are facing increasingly frequent and severe weather that’s devastating homes, roads and crops, and the FEMA Review Council’s recommendations don’t meet this reality. The proposed changes would leave communities without the necessary funding, information and access to insurance to stay prepared and safe when disasters strike.
Will McDow, Environmental Defense Fund
The human mind may devise many plans, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will be established.
Proverbs 19: 21