A day later: Still no indication that @realDonaldTrump Louisiana communities affected by Laura and Delta will be treated the same way as Florida communities affected by Hurricane Michael in 2018.
After Michael, Florida towns received 100 percent reimbursement on municipal costs.
After Michael, Florida towns received 100 percent reimbursement on municipal costs.
https://twitter.com/DanLamothe/status/1315802809019887616
In the standard arrangement, FEMA reimburses communities in major storms 75 percent of the cost incurred. These are huge sums of money for a municipality. Mayor Nic Hunter estimates the debris removal alone in Lake Charles will cost about $70 million post-Laura.
There's an argument to be made that the federal government *shouldn't* cover 100 percent -- that it encourages more building right back in vulnerable areas. There is some truth to that.
The flip side is that cities like Lake Charles -- which used to be a safehaven for coastal people to flee in hurricanes -- also need to significantly upgrade infrastructure, and a lot of low-income people don't easily have the money to move.
Another counter-argument -- which the mayor in Lake Charles *is* making -- is one of fairness.
Why is the Florida Panhandle -- deep red in a swing state -- worthy of 100 percent reimbursement after one major storm, if Louisiana is not after two hurricanes in six weeks?
Why is the Florida Panhandle -- deep red in a swing state -- worthy of 100 percent reimbursement after one major storm, if Louisiana is not after two hurricanes in six weeks?
These are tough policy questions longterm -- we have many storms to come.
In the short-term, it's beginning to look like Florida was thrown a major bone by @realDonaldTrump that other states -- even red states -- will not see.
In the short-term, it's beginning to look like Florida was thrown a major bone by @realDonaldTrump that other states -- even red states -- will not see.
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