Rep. Castor calls out federal government for removing hurricane assistance

Concerns grow over FEMA this hurricane season

Jennifer Kveglis reports.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla - Rep. Kathy Castor called out the federal government on Monday for not doing enough to support the possible damage from this year’s hurricane season.

What they're saying:

"It is the responsibility of the federal government to be a strong partner. And right now, I can not report that the federal government is there in every way that they were there last hurricane season," said Castor.

She pointed to Elon Musk’s effort to cut scientists, agency experts, meteorologists and hurricane hunter experts.

The National Weather Service (NWS) says that they will be able to handle whatever this Atlantic hurricane season brings, but Castor says that some emergency operations will be vulnerable.

The ongoing debate about whether the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) should exist at all has put this year’s hurricane response in jeopardy.

The backstory:

Last year, Castor said that FEMA contractors were on the ground helping struggling residents within days of the storm surge that devastated many areas.

This year, she is not confident that the response from FEMA will be the same.

FEMA officials provided these statements to FOX 13.

"FEMA’s principles for emergency management assert that disasters are best managed when they’re federally supported, state managed and locally executed. Together with federal, state, tribal, local and territorial agencies, we’re strengthening and enhancing partnerships. We’re ensuring our role supports decisions that need to happen at the state and local levels. Just like disaster response is best when locally led, state managed and federally supported, the same is true for preparedness. All types of preparedness start with families, individuals and local and state officials ahead of any emergency and disaster."

"Under Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Richardson, FEMA is shifting from bloated, DC-centric dead weight to a lean, deployable disaster force that empowers state actors to provide relief for their citizens. The old processes are being replaced because they failed Americans in real emergencies for decades. Under Secretary Noem’s leadership, and the efforts of Acting Administrator Richardson, FEMA is fully activated in preparation for Hurricane Season."

Local perspective:

Aside from federal assistance, Castor praised the work of Florida’s local response to disasters.

"We are fortunate in Florida because we have the best hurricane and emergency managers at the local level and at the state level. We do this better than any other state."

FEMA has cut back on the resilient infrastructure and hazard mitigation grants that local communities rely on each hurricane season.

St. Petersburg Emergency Manager Amber Boulding says that people should look out for each other and stay vigilant.

"What we like to tell our residents is really you are your own first responder following a storm. It takes a long time for rescuers to come out, for infrastructure to get back up and running," says Boulding.

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The Source: Information for this story was provided by Florida Rep. Kathy Castor.

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