FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters

With hurricanes and heat waves growing more severe, FEMA's funding might deplete before summer's end.

Kristin Toussaint reports for Fast Company.

In short:

Record-high ocean temperatures predict an intense hurricane season with up to 25 named storms and 4-7 major hurricanes.
FEMA's disaster relief fund is projected to face a $1.3 billion shortfall by August and could be $6.8 billion in deficit by September.
The agency may need to pause long-term recovery projects to manage immediate disaster responses, impacting overall disaster management.

Key quote:

"Without additional funding, FEMA will take steps prior to funding exhaustion to ensure resources are available to support ongoing lifesaving and life-sustaining activities."

— FEMA spokesperson

Why this matters:

The rising intensity of these weather events has stretched FEMA's resources thin. Just last year, the agency grappled with a series of devastating hurricanes and wildfires, and this year's forecasts suggest more of the same. With hurricane season in full swing and unprecedented heat waves scorching the nation, FEMA's budget, which must cover immediate disaster response and long-term recovery efforts, is under immense strain.

www.fastcompany.com

FEMA faces potential funding shortfall amid increasing natural disasters

Organic beef has a larger carbon footprint than feedlot beef

Tribes hit hard by wildfires face health effects, cultural losses

Rooftop rainwater sprinkler systems could help cool warming cities, study says

Judge says EPA illegally canceled $7B solar program

Scientists developing new soybean to store carbon, withstand drought

How climate change worsened Nepal's deadly mountain collapse

‘Forcing a reckoning’: How Asia is preparing for a ‘supersized’ El Niño

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Pennsylvania health advocates say Trump’s first 100 days in office have caused “100 harms” to local communities

“They're terrorizing these scientists because they want to keep them silent.”

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.