Avast, me hearties! Biden's landlubber FEMA chief be a-squawkin' 'bout a lack o' doubloons for relief after the fires in Maui. And now, California be bracin' fer a fearsome storm!
2023-08-20
Arr, me hearties! The fair maiden Deanne Criswell, a swashbucklin' FEMA Administrator, be warnin' us of dire tidings. She claims that the treasure for disaster relief be runnin' scarce come mid-September, due to the infernal wildfires in Hawaii and the fearsome storm in California. Aye, we be in troubled waters indeed!
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell has issued a warning that the agency's disaster relief fund may face a shortage by mid-September. This announcement comes as Maui continues to recover from devastating wildfires and southern California prepares for its first tropical storm in 84 years. Criswell stated that they anticipate a funding shortage and will push recovery projects to the next fiscal year to ensure enough money is available for immediate lifesaving needs. The administration is also working with Congress to support recovery projects for this year and the next fiscal year. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy suggested a short-term extension of last year's spending priorities to avoid a government shutdown. Criswell is set to travel with President Biden to Maui, where the wildfires claimed the lives of at least 114 people, with over 1,000 still unaccounted for. Criswell assured that the federal government will support the local vision for rebuilding the historic town of Lahaina. President Biden has faced criticism for not addressing the wildfires sooner, but Criswell defended his response, stating that he directed her to assess the damage and ensure all necessary resources were provided. Criswell also addressed Hurricane Hilary, which was downgraded to a tropical storm and poses a significant flood risk in southwestern US states. She advised people to listen to local officials and take the storm seriously, while also advocating for increased investment in mitigation projects due to the increasing frequency of severe weather events.