Current:Home > reviewsFEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says emergency funds could be depleted within weeks -AssetScope
FEMA administrator Deanne Criswell says emergency funds could be depleted within weeks
View
Date:2025-04-15 20:38:47
Washington — FEMA's disaster fund could dry up within weeks and delay the federal response to natural disasters, the agency's administrator warned Sunday.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell told "Face the Nation" that the agency is watching its disaster relief fund "very closely" ahead of hurricane season and that some recovery projects that are not life-saving measures could be delayed into the next fiscal year if funding falls short.
"Our estimates do still say that we may have a depletion of our fund — now it's pushed into the middle of September," Criswell said. "And as we get closer to that, I mean, this is a day-by-day monitoring of the situation."
- Transcript: FEMA chief Deanne Criswell on "Face the Nation"
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, there were 15 weather or climate disaster events this year before Aug. 8, with each causing more than $1 billion in damage. The tally does not include the recent wildfires on Maui, which decimated Lahaina, causing an estimated $6 billion in damage to the coastal city. The peak of hurricane season is not until Sept. 11.
President Biden asked Congress earlier this month for $12 billion to replenish the disaster fund to address the response to the wildfires and other natural disasters. Congress is on recess until after Labor Day.
Criswell said that amount may not be enough.
"The $12 billion was going to be able to cover some of the immediate needs that we were going to need to get through this fiscal year," she said. "As we're continuing to see the increasingly severe weather events that dollar amount may need to go up as we go into next fiscal year."
Criswell is traveling with Mr. Biden to Maui on Monday to view the devastation and meet with survivors.
"The biggest thing that the president needs to see is just the actual impact," Criswell said of the importance of the visit. "It really feels different when you're on the ground and can see the total devastation of Lahaina. He'll talk to some of the families that have been impacted by this and hear their stories."
"He's really going to be able to, one, bring hope to this community, but also reassure them that the federal government is there," she said. "He has directed them to bring the resources they need to help them as they begin to start their recovery and their rebuilding process."
While FEMA responds to the wildfires, it is also preparing for the "really significant impacts" of Tropical Storm Hilary on Southern California, Criswell said.
"We had a lot of staff already on the ground. We are moving in some additional resources to make sure that we can support anything that California might need, but they're a very capable state as well and they have a lot of resources," she said. "So if it does exceed what their capability is, we're going to have additional search-and-rescue teams, commodities on hand to be able to go in and support anything that they might ask for."
- In:
- Hawaii Wildfires
- Maui
- Lahaina
- Hurricane Hilary
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter for CBS News Digital. Reach her at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter: https://twitter.com/hausofcait
TwitterveryGood! (6)
Related
- All That You Wanted to Know About She’s All That
- Austin Dillon clinches playoff spot in Richmond win after hitting Joey Logano
- After Josh Hall divorce, Christina Hall vows to never 'give away my peace again'
- RHONJ's Teresa Giudice Defends Husband Luis Ruelas Wishing Suffering on Margaret Josephs' Son
- How to watch the 'Blue Bloods' Season 14 finale: Final episode premiere date, cast
- Alec Baldwin’s Daughter Ireland Shares Her Daughter “Finally” Met Her 7 Aunts and Uncles
- How to get relief from unexpectedly high medical bills
- Winners and losers from Olympic men's basketball: Steph Curry, LeBron James lead gold rush
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
- Disney's Goofy Character Isn't Actually a Dog—Or a Cow
Ranking
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Jordan Chiles must return Olympic bronze, IOC rules. USOPC says it will appeal decision
- Olympian Aly Raisman Slams Cruel Ruling Against Jordan Chiles Amid Medal Controversy
- UNC women's soccer coach Anson Dorrance, who won 21 NCAA titles, retires
- Bodycam footage shows high
- Winners and losers from Olympic men's basketball: Steph Curry, LeBron James lead gold rush
- Should postgame handshake be banned in kids' sports? No, it should be celebrated.
- Man arrested in connection with attempt to ship a ton of meth to Australia
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
USA vs. France basketball highlights: American women win 8th straight Olympic gold
Patriots fan Matt Damon loved Gronk's 'showstopping' 'Instigators' cameo
American gymnast Jordan Chiles must return bronze medal after court mandates score change, IOC says
How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
Samsung recalls a million stoves after humans, pets accidentally activate them
Summer tourists flock to boardwalks and piers while sticking to their budgets
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Ab Initio