Mayorkas’ claim that FEMA is ‘tremendously prepared’ comes back to haunt him amid Helene aftermath

U.S. Secretary of Homeland Safety Alejandro Mayorkas’ phrases have come again to hang-out him as video from earlier this yr touting the Federal Emergency Administration Company’s (FEMA’s) preparedness earlier than Hurricane Helene uncovered shortcomings within the group.

Mayorkas this week warned that FEMA was working out of funds as hurricane season continued to slam the southeastern United States. The group has sufficient funds to take care of the aftermath of Helene however wouldn’t have sufficient to “make it by way of the season.”

This warning stands in stark distinction to earlier feedback Mayorkas made in the summertime assuring that FEMA would have the ability to deal with upcoming climate crises. 

“FEMA is tremendously ready,” Mayorkas assured reporters in a video from July. “That is what we do, that is what they do, and the important thing right here … is to additionally ensure that the communities who’re doubtlessly impacted are ready as properly.” 

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“And it’s not simply hurricanes and wildfires – additionally excessive warmth, which actually some components of the US are experiencing,” he added. Mayorkas confused that FEMA has “exercised these muscle mass, regrettably, yr after yr” as a result of “growing frequency and gravity of climate occasions.”

Homeland Safety Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas speaks on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024 throughout a briefing on the White Home in Washington, D.C. (AP Picture/Mark Schiefelbein)

Nevertheless, Mayorkas did argue that FEMA’s catastrophe reduction fund remained in a precarious place and wanted contemporary funding from Congress forward of an anticipated heavy hurricane season. In July, he anticipated working out by “mid-August.” 

Mayorkas confused the have to be prepared for the “penalties” of more and more extreme climate occasions as local weather change continues to exacerbate disasters reminiscent of hurricanes and wildfires. 

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Hurricane Helene devastated components of the East Coast final week. Floodwaters and mudslides virtually solely worn out some communities reminiscent of Asheville, North Carolina, the place residents have remained with out electrical energy and cell service whereas dealing with water, gasoline and meals shortages. 

Automobiles sit submerged in a flooded space at a used tire supplier after Hurricane Helene in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on Sept. 27, 2024. (Ken Ruinard/USA In the present day Community by way of Reuters)

“They’re afraid. Persons are getting on edge,” retired Asheville, North Carolina, Police Officer Steve Antle instructed Fox Information Digital. “They’ve already had folks performing some minor looting within the space. As a result of there is not any energy … so it is only a free-for-all at this level. There are not any site visitors alerts. There will not be sufficient law enforcement officials.”

FEMA arrived in Western North Carolina on Monday after President Biden authorized federal sources, however some residents as of Thursday stated they nonetheless had not seen any federal officers. 

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Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., instructed Fox Information host Sean Hannity that no FEMA rep had visited components of South Carolina however had acquired assurances they might after he raised the problem with them. 

Flood harm at a bridge throughout Mill Creek within the aftermath of Hurricane Helene on Sept. 30, 2024 in Previous Fort, North Carolina. The White Home has authorized catastrophe declarations in North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia, Virginia and Alabama, liberating up federal emergency administration cash and sources for these states. ( Sean Rayford/Getty Pictures)

“You recognize the place I’m going to look to get cash to assist with this catastrophe?” Graham stated. “There’s a pair hundred billion {dollars} within the Inflation Discount Act … that hasn’t been spent.”

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“Why don’t we take cash from the Inflation Discount Act and apply it to this catastrophe?” Graham requested. “That’s what I’ll be making an attempt to do.” 

Fox Information Digital’s Audrey Conklin and The Related Press contributed to this report.