Vermont, Many Other States Losing Millions That Would Have Mitigated Future Disasters

Flooded homes in Richmond, Vermont, July, 2023. FEMA
is getting rid of funding nationwide that would help
states like Vermont and many others build resilience and
protection from the next inevitable 
climate-related disasters 

The frequency at which we here in Vermont have had destructive floods in recent years almost makes it seem like we're overdue for another big disaster. 

Thankfully, there's nothing even close to that is in the immediate forecast, but with climate change, future mega-rainstorms and extreme flash floods are inevitable. 

There's been a wise and understandable push to build resilience to future disasters here in Vermont and in so many other places around the nation. 

Predictably, the Turnip Trump administration doesn't think resilience is a good idea because A: They believe climate change is a hoax despite the Everest-sized mountain of evidence suggesting otherwise, and B: This resilience stuff would just benefit us "rubes" that don't matter and won't  further line the pockets of our Glorious Billionaires.  

Reports Vermont Public: 

"The Trump administration announced last week that it's canceling a disaster preparedness program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Stephanie Smith, the state Hazard Mitigation Officer, said Vermont will lose out on the $2 million it received annually from the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities fund.

She said the cancelation will also affect $2.7 million in funding that FEMA had awarded to about 40 projects in past years but had not yet been paid out."

Before Trump, we did receive quite a bit of money to help gird against future disasters.

Per Vermont Public: 

"Over the past five years, FEMA's so called BRIC program has allocated about $200 million annually for hazard mitigation projects such as flood control, infrastructure improvements and stream bank stabilization. Smith said most municipalities in Vermont have used the money to update local hazard mitigation plans and conduct scoping studies."

BRIC, of course is, or was, a national program.  It had made more than $5 billion available since 2020 to  help local projects that reduce the impact of disasters, reports the Washington Post. 

The elimination of this program is part of a broader Trump policy of shifting disaster recovery and preparation from the federal government to the states, which of course are often ill-prepared to cover the cost of these huge floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfires and such. 

Per the Washington Post:

"'For small states, like Vermont and Wyoming, there's very little capability, especially at the local level,' said Erica Bornemann, who served as Vermont's emergency management director for 16 years and now works in disaster consulting. 

'It would take time for them not only to hire and fund the people necessary to respond to small to moderate scale disasters, but also to build a fund to support disaster survivors,' she said."

Predictably, the Trump FEMA people are dismissive of the idea of preparing for future disasters.

Says Vermont Public: 

"A spokesperson for FEMA said in a statement that the BRIC program was 'yet another example of a wasteful and ineffective FEMA program."

Because spending, say,  $1 to prevent $100 in future damage is supremely stupid, apparently.

The Trump team and FEMA have reported already discussed disbanding the agency by as early as October 1, which would basically leave state and local government adrift if and when disaster strikes.

Moreover,  millions of dollars in already allocated FEMA funding has been frozen since January. Again, per Washington Post:

"Although a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release the funds, at least 19 states have not been able to access the money, according to a filing last week by a coalition of 24 states, including those hit recently by major disasters such as California, North Carolina, Kentucky and Hawaii. On Friday, a federal judge ruled the administration has violated his order by freezing the FEMA grants."

But, under Trump the rule of law is now more, He just blithely ignores court orders, as nobody seems to have the spine to contradict him for some reason.

We're at the height of tornado season now. Devastating flash floods tend to increase in the spring and summer, wildfire season will get roaring soon, and a few months, hurricane season hits in earnest. 

Climate change or not, there will be terrible weather disasters sooner rather than later. Most likely sooner. Trump has already abandoned the storm victims he pledged to help during his campaign. And he will continue to abandon people who will fall victim to storms. 

The result will be extra heartache, financial ruin, homelessness and probably many needless deaths. 

But like I said, Trump couldn't care less about "rubes" like us.  Makes you wonder why so many people voted for him. 

 

Current Congressional Government Shutdown Threat/FEMA Fight Is Small Hint Of Discord We'll See In Trump Administration

Congress has until Friday to pass a continuing 
resolution, and hopefully fund FEMA disaster
relief, though neither is a sure bet. 

The U.S. Senate plans to adjourn December 20, and there's a last ditch effort to pass some badly needed disaster relief money for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA.  

That FEMA money would hopefully one part of a continuing spending resolution must pass or there will be a government shut down.  Yeah, Congress is kicking the can down the road again instead of just doing the budget like they're supposed to.

FEMA funding is emerging as a major sticking point. 

As NewsNation reports:

"While there is broad bipartisan support for disaster relief, some Republicans have raised concerns with the size and scope of the White House's request, particular proposed fund in areas like the Department of Education and the Environmental Protection Agency."

Against that backdrop,  Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vermont is pushing for giving FEMA at least $98 billion in emergency funding to cope with a slew of big U.S. disasters in recent months. As we well know, some of those disasters have occurred in Vermont. 

Welch said Congress hasn't passed comprehensive disaster aid since 2022 and the need is piling up. 

"The longer we wait to help disaster victims, the more disaster victims we will have. The list of needs will only grow Delay hurts, it doesn't help. That's why I am asking my colleagues in the Senate and the House to act now and act quickly. 

For Vermont, and for every state hit by a disaster since we passed a disaster bill so many storms ago....We cannot wait. We have common ground in our common crisis. We must send a disaster bill to President Biden's desk," Welch said. 

FEMA funding is more important than ever because, as Welch just told us, those disasters are piling up. More and more people live in places with dangerous weather, and climate change continues to make those disasters worse than they otherwise would be. And they're expanding in scope.

In the short term, between now and December 20, the biggest obstacle to potential FEMA funding is the so-called Freedom Caucus, 

The caucus would only support disaster funding if money is taken out of the budget somewhere else. In a statement last week, members of the Freedom Caucus said. "The House should consider only what is absolutely necessary right now to prove critical relief to hurricane victims and farmers, and pay for it with offsets from wasteful spending elsewhere in the government, then wait for President Trump to take office to better manage disaster relief."

As of Saturday, at least some observers seemed optimistic some disaster aid will be approved in a stopgap measure, even if it's not the $98 billion the Biden administration - and Sen. Welch - want.

No matter what happens with Congress and FEMA funding this week, the problem is going to keep getting worse.  Like it or not, the federal government is going to have to fund more and more money for disaster relief in the coming decade. 

Even though Donald Trump, about to enter the White House doesn't want to spend money on things like that. 

The Trump and MAGA people seem intent on making life as hard as possible for most working class people, including disaster victims.  I think disaster aid will be severely curtailed during the Trump administration, even as those disasters will almost surely keep piling up.

 If Trump and his minions have their way, disaster victims will be on their own more than ever.  Eventually, there will be a lot of angry people out there.  Before I go on, I'll make things clear that I don't want anybody to threaten violence or actually cause it. 

But you saw the visceral anger in the past couple weeks at the murderous and dystopian U.S. health care industry after the murder of the United Health CEO. 

If the new administration dares screw over disaster and climate victims over the next four years, it could get ugly. Even some of Trump's biggest fans will turn on him, though I admit his most rabid followers will make excuses for him.

The inevitable upcoming disasters and a lack of response to them will sow even more discord in the U.S., as if we don't have enough already.   

Biden Grants Disaster Approval For Vermont NEK Floods On July 30; FEMA Money In Question

President Biden just declared three Northeast Kingdom
counties disaster zones due to intense flash flooding
back on July 30.  This frees up assistance funds, but
that money might be slow in coming due to
federal funding shortfalls and delays. 

In a widely expected move,  President Joe Biden has declared three Vermont counties disaster areas due to catastrophic flooding in the Northeast Kingdom back on July 30.  

It seems like every time we turn around, part of Vermont is declared a disaster zone. 

This declaration involves Caledonia, Essex and Orleans counties affected by a rather localized but intense storm on the night of July 30. 

The overnight storm dumped over eight inches of rain on St. Johnsbury and surrounding areas in just a few hours, causing catastrophic flooding. 

This declaration, like the other ones declared this year in other parts of the state, means federal grants and low cost loans are becoming available to fix homes and businesses. 

Local municipalities, and the state government, along with some non-profit outfits might also get some funds on a cost-sharing basis to repair or replace damaged roads and other infrastructure. That money can also be used to build some mitigation projects to help fend off future disasters. 

Earlier this summer Lamoille County was declared a disaster area due to flash flooding and severe storms on June 23.  And of course seven Vermont counties were declare disaster zones due to July 10 and 11 flooding. 

NO FEMA MONEY?

The money for this newest disaster declaration - along with those two other declared for summer flooding in Vermont - might be slow in coming. 

Congress just passed - and Biden just signed - a bill for stopgap federal funding to keep the government lights on through December 20.  That prevented a partial government shutdown. 

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, had requested additional funds in the stopgap bill to cope with all the disasters that have been happening this year around the nation. That money was not included in this bill. 

On top of everything else, Hurricane Helene hit right after this bill lacking FEMA money was signed into law. Helene will likely be the nation's biggest and most expensive disaster this year, so I don't know how everybody in Vermont and elsewhere who needs the assistance will receive it. Or it might take forever to arrive. 

FEMA has money left to meet immediate needs. They can swoop into places like Florida and North Carolina this week to ensure the very short term emergency needs of disaster victims. 

But those kind of loans and grants to help businesses get back on their feet or to towns that have run out of money after fixing destroyed roads will probably have to wait. 

Under these lack of funding circumstances, "They delay anything that is not an urgent spending necessary for protection of life and property, and that means people return to their homes slower," Peter Muller, a senior officer with the Managing Risks Projects at Pew Charitable Trusts told Marketplace. 

"It means that businesses will reopen slower. It also means that projects that are intended to reduce the impact of the next disaster are going to be delayed." 

FEMA Funding Crisis Could Slow Vermont Flood Relief

Road crews begin flood repairs to Route 15 around the 
Wrong Way Bridge in Cambridge, Vermont on July 12.
Immediate funding from FEMA is not in danger, but
rebuilding money might be delayed as the federal
agency is running out of money for the fiscal year.

Is FEMA running out of money?

The apparent answer is yes, but that doesn't mean Vermonters won't get any help from the federal government. 

Money for immediate needs will flow in the Green Mountain State in counties that have been declared a disaster area. 

Vermonter who need help now if not sooner will get it. 

There's a chance the money shortage could slow eventual rebuilding, however. 

As Marketplace reports:

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster relief fund is running low, and is likely to be in the red sometime next moth. That's before the end of the current fiscal year, and right in the middle of hurricane and wildfire season."

Congress can approve supplemental funding, and has in the past when this kind of thing happened. But of course, Congress is so dysfunctional these days I'd be surprised if half the members can tie their own shoelaces. 

If FEMA quote, unquote "runs out of money," it's not like they will immediately stop helping. At last report, the federal government has approved nearly $5 million in disaster payouts to Vermont, and that number will surely grow.

FEMA will do the same for the flood victims in Kentucky, and whichever disaster comes down the pike in the coming months 

Marketplace again:

"Craig Fugate was FEMA Administrator during the Obama administration, and he said the agency will make sure it has cash for a disaster like that. 

'But it means a lot of other programs, like the rebuilding, the mitigation programs, will either cease or slow down until they get more funding,' he said. 

It's rare for that to happen, but Ari Renoni, a deputy director of disaster recovery at Hagerty Consulting, said when it does, there are consequences. "This can really have this downstream effect where, you know, the states, the local communities affected by these events, it just further delays their ability to recover,' he said." 

The following is pretty much speculation on my part, but it's something to consider. After the extreme floods from Tropical Storm Irene in 2011, Vermont officials wanted to "build back better" to borrow a phrase from the current Biden administration.

With climate change becoming a bigger and bigger factor, Vermont officials wanted to rebuild culverts and bridges to accommodate larger future floods. 

However - and I'm over-simplifing a bit here - FEMA rules pretty much said you could only build back to the level you had before the disaster. Vermont officials fought this, and we got some funding for better culvert, road and bridge designs that would lessen the effects of future floods. 

When July's floods hit, Vermont's bridges and culverts did better than they did during Irene, although we know there was still a lot of damage. 

Federal spending, as we know, is controlled by Congress. We still have incredible pushback from Senate and House Republicans on even the idea of climate change. With that crowd around, it's going to be a lot harder for FEMA to receive funding if even someone whispers the phrase "climate change" in appropriations requests. v

I obviously don't know what the sausage making in Congress will end up doing

There is a bill in Congress that would supply $11.5 billion in supplemental funding for FEMA's disaster relief fund.  That doesn't necessarily mean that will happen quickly. 

According to Roll Call in an article earlier this month:

"However, political dynamics for the caps in the debt limit law could imperil the chances of swift passage of an emergency supplemental. Specifically, lawmakers in both parties are expected to eye any moving spending bill as an opportunity to fund their own priorities, from Ukraine military assistance to aid for migrants crossing the southern border."

Senators from hurricane-prone states, including, notably, Republicans, are trying to get a clean FEMA bill passed without extraneous add ons.  We'll see how that goes. 

The United States is just now getting into the time of year when particularly expensive disasters strike.  The heart of hurricane season starts any day now and lasts into early October. From now into the fall is when wildfires out west tend to be at their worst.

Plus, August, like July, is traditionally a month that features flash floods like we saw this summer in Vermont, Kentucky, New York and elsewhere. 

Let's hope Congress makes the right decision about funding upcoming weather disasters, whether or not climate change contributes to them.