Governors say FEMA is no longer reliable for disaster aid

Multiple governors say they're being increasingly pushed to scrounge for disaster recovery money without the support they traditionally rely on from the federal government.Why it matters: The president has the sole power to issue disaster declarations, but states are finding emergencies that would usually qualify for federal assistance are being slow-walked or denied in recent months.Driving the news: President Trump announced Sunday that he had signed a major disaster declaration to help free up federal resources for Kerr County, Texas, after devastating floods killed at least 120 people. Yet, other state leaders say they were denied or are still waiting for additional help.In April, the Trump administration denied a request submitted by former Washington Gov. Jay Inslee after a bomb cyclone ripped through the state in November. The administration then denied an appeal of its decision in late June. In response, Gov. Bob Ferguson posted on X that there are "very clear criteria to qualify" for disaster recovery funds, and that "Washington's application met all of them."The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein's request for an extension of federal assistance for Hurricane Helene recovery in May, after stating the request was "not warranted."Additionally, the administration initially denied an April request from Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders to declare a series of destructive storms and tornadoes in March a major disaster, before reversing the decision upon appeal in May.West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey said Tuesday that he is pushing for the Trump administration to grant a disaster declaration for two counties in his state after flash flooding from heavy rain killed at least nine people in mid-June. By the numbers: Since February, Trump denied six out of 10 major-disaster requests from Democrat-run states, while approving 14 out of 15 requests from Republican governors, according to an investigation from NPR affiliate KUOW.A FEMA spokesperson did not immediately respond to Axios' request for details on why certain major disaster declarations were denied.What they're saying: Gov. Stein said that while his state has a "sophisticated" emergency response team, only the federal government has the resources to successfully react to a major disaster."It doesn't make sense for each state to have a fully staffed Emergency Response Team," Stein told CNBC Thursday morning. "Because they may not have a storm for five years or 10 years, but we know the country will. So let's have that expertise in the federal government."Go deeper: These states could suffer the most without FEMA

Comments

World news

Independent

Trump asks the President of Liberia, where English is the official language, where he learned to speak it ‘so beautifully’

about 1 hour ago

Who is Francesca Albanese – Italian human rights lawyer sanctioned by US?

Independent

Comments

Similar News

BoE governor opposes UK plan to mandate pension scheme investment

Reeves’s pension plan blasted by Bank of England governor in ‘nuclear’ intervention

‘You cannot run a prison from Whitehall’: Chief inspector calls for more powers for jail governors

Former Vice President Kamala Harris a favorite in governor's race if she runs, according to new poll

Scoop: Byron Donalds announces $22 million haul in Florida governor race

World news

Trump asks the President of Liberia, where English is the official language, where he learned to speak it ‘so beautifully’

Who is Francesca Albanese – Italian human rights lawyer sanctioned by US?

The anniversary of Srebrenica is a moment to remember that looking away is not an option

I saw my first dead body aged 8 – it wasn’t the last

Srebrenica massacre: ‘I am one of the lucky ones because I found two of my son’s bones’

Man Utd Women have been left to rot by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

The best new books out in paperback in July 2025

What health experts eat to stay cool (and one is straight from the BBQ)

I love dogs – but there is no place for them in restaurants

UK getaways with wild swimming and natural pools

Steph McGovern: ‘I didn’t feel threatened by my stalker – maybe that was naive’

It’s time for Iga Swiatek to become a superstar

Artist, psychologist, Wimbledon finalist – Amanda Anisimova has it all

My Lions dream team – the best XV players of the modern era

The creative Victorian spa town with majestic hill walks and antiquarian bookshop

Justice Jackson on writing dissents: "I'm not afraid to use my voice"

Cuban women embrace extravagant nail art despite economic hardships

Japan urges China to stop flying fighter jets too close to Japanese military aircraft

Trump to host Philippine president to discuss trade and security in Asia

Trump plans to hit Canada with 35% tariff - while warning of blanket hike for other countries

Kurdish PKK to lay down arms in big step towards ending Turkey conflict

Justin Bieber releases surprise new album

Watch: The story of Jane Birkin's £7.4m handbag

European allies step up plans for Ukraine stabilization, with U.S. attending meeting

Friday Briefing: Iran Has Some Uranium Left, Israel Says

What to Know About the Rare Earths Mining Boom in Myanmar

Rare Earths Mining in Myanmar Is Polluting Thailand’s Kok River

Missing teen surfer ‘miraculously’ found alive on remote Australian island

Texas floods latest: Death toll rises to 121 as Camp Mystic cabins ‘found to be in extremely hazardous’ flood zone

Trump to tour flood zone Friday as he touts ties to deep-red Texas

Trump plans to tour Texas flood damage as the scope of the disaster tests his pledge to shutter FEMA

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump says he struck deal to supply weapons to Ukraine through Nato

Former Trump lawyer claims he knows Epstein client list names: ‘But I’m bound by confidentiality’

Capability of RAF’s F-35 jets a ‘disappointing return’ on £11bn cost, report says

Our £550 a month mortgage is ending in less than a year – our costs could double

Donald Trump takes another swipe at Canada with alarming new threat

Texas officials face questions about emergency alerts during deadly floods

Asia is reeling from Trump's tariff salvo – is anyone winning?

Rosenberg: Putin determined to press on despite threat of tougher sanctions

Row over language turns violent in India's richest state

In the country with the world's lowest birth rate, fertility clinics are booming

War crimes are likely being committed in Darfur, ICC finds

Trump threatens 35% tariff on Canadian goods and says he may double what other nations are charged

The FBI is using lie detectors to test employee loyalty to Trump’s appointees

Billie Eilish, The O2 review: a dazzling, rule-breaking masterclass

Governors say FEMA is no longer reliable for disaster aid

Freed Mahmoud Khalil seeks $20 million in damages from Trump admin

Trump threatens to impose 35% tariff on goods from Canada

Leafs acquire defenceman Henry Thrun from Sharks

Metro Vancouver updates mutual-aid agreement for smaller municipalities

Get outside, but get home safe: B.C. search-and-rescue teams make summer warning

Lacing up the skates in the off-season with Connor Bedard

Donald Trump branded 'condescending' after bizarre remarks to Liberia’s President

Outrage as influencer picks up dangerous Australian animal and calls it a 'little b****'

Trump threatens 35% tariffs on Canadian goods

Watch: Smoke billows from luxury yacht fire in St Tropez

'We're worried about our future': Srebrenica massacre's tensions still felt 30 years on

UNAIDS report warns HIV progress at risk as U.S. funding cuts take hold

Trump threatens new 35% tariff on Canadian goods, effective Aug. 1

Kelowna victim’s mother speaks out as accused estranged husband appears in court