U.S. News
FEMA Faces Staffing Crisis as Category 5 Hurricane Milton Threatens Tampa Bay
Clear Facts
- FEMA is currently operating with less than 10% of its workforce available to address Hurricane Milton and other disasters.
- Hurricane Milton has intensified to a Category 5 storm and is expected to hit the Tampa Bay area.
- FEMA has allocated over $210 million in support for victims of the recent Hurricane Helene.
As Hurricane Milton barrels towards the United States with the ferocity of a Category 5 storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds itself in a precarious position. With only 1,217 workers ready to respond, FEMA’s manpower is stretched to its limits. This figure represents less than 10% of its total personnel, a stark contrast to the agency’s staffing levels back in October 2017, when they were double what they are now.
Hurricane Milton, expected to make landfall in the Tampa Bay area, poses a significant threat, especially following the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Helene, a Category 4 storm, wreaked havoc across the Southeast, leaving a trail of destruction and a tragic death toll of 227.
In the face of these challenges, FEMA has announced that it is “pre-positioning resources to support local and state response efforts ahead of Hurricane Milton” and assures that it is “fully prepared to respond to the storm’s potential impacts.”
However, the agency has not been without its critics. Concerns have been voiced over the limited federal aid provided to victims of Hurricane Helene, following claims that survivors were only allocated $750. Additionally, FEMA’s previous focus on “equity” in its strategic plan has drawn scrutiny in the aftermath of the storm.
Compounding these issues, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has highlighted a worrying lack of funds for FEMA to sustain its operations throughout the hurricane season. This is particularly concerning given that FEMA has expended nearly $1 billion on a migrant assistance program over the past two years.
In a twist of irony, despite the denial of an $885 million award to Elon Musk’s Starlink, FEMA is now relying on this very satellite internet service to restore connectivity in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.
FEMA’s current predicament underscores the urgent need for strategic resource allocation and preparedness as the nation braces for the impact of Hurricane Milton.
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