U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) is investigating the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA’s) preparation and response strategies, as well as its capacity to provide relief for disaster victims of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
In his capacity as chairman of the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over FEMA, Rep. Graves and a committee colleague sent an Oct. 11 letter to FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell regarding “troubling media reports” about how FEMA has failed to rise to the challenge and adequately respond to the hurricanes.
“One of the most troubling media reports has been from residents in North Carolina who have voiced complaints with the federal response to Hurricane Helene, and in particular criticized FEMA’s reaction pace to the storm,” they wrote. “The New York Times reported that individuals in rural areas of North Carolina affected by the storm are skeptical of FEMA’s ability to provide assistance and feel that they have been left to fend for themselves.”
Rep. Graves and his colleague requested that Criswell provide them with requested documents and information by Oct. 25, including details about FEMA’s implementation of a Serious Needs Assistance program, which would provide individuals with cash payments of $750; the number, locations, and functions of FEMA personnel deployed for Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton; and information about shelters, distribution centers, and other resources for disaster victims, including locations and number of people served.
They also want Criswell to provide a detailed timeline and summary of the federal response to Hurricane Helene, beginning from pre-positioning prior to the disaster to the present, including “details on which federal agencies and departments were activated, what assets and resources were deployed and where, and which Emergency Support Functions were activated,” according to their letter, which includes several other information requests.
“The committee remains concerned by reports detailing FEMA’s slow response and ability to provide aid to victims, as well as FEMA’s interactions with non-federal efforts to assist Americans in need,” wrote Rep. Graves and his colleague.