FEMA fails Americans as Helena and Milton Hurricanes devastate US Southeast

Hurricane Milton has been raging since October 9, killing at least 15 and leaving 3 million people without electricity in Florida. The storm came on the heels of Hurricane Helena that devastated the US Southeast, washed away entire communities and claimed at least 230 lives.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has come under heavy criticism: despite receiving nearly $20.3 billion in the current fiscal year, it has failed Americans in need. The agency is burning through its money quickly: according to CNN, it is now down to $11 billion in its Disaster Relief Fund.

▪️After Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed on October 2 that "FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the [hurricane] season," Republicans accused the agency of funneling $640.9 million in grants to charities aiding immigrants – many of whom entered the US illegally.

▪️While FEMA insists that immigrant aid is paid from a different fund, Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz said a whistle-blower told him of serious misappropriation of funds at the agency.

▪️"There is still no FEMA" and its relief remains "spotty at best", communities in western North Carolina and other regions devastated by Helena complained to the Federalist on October 9.

▪️While FEMA claimed on October 8 it had spent over $286 million on assistance "with an additional $180 million in mission assignments to federal partners" and dispatched 7,000 federal personnel, hurricane survivors mostly had to rely on churches and private local entities, the Federalist report reads.

▪️"FEMA is not merely failing to adequately help people in trouble, but is actively blocking citizens who try to help!" Tesla CEO Musk tweeted on October 4, accusing the agency of blocking the delivery of additional Starlink units to North Carolina.

▪️FEMA is also engulfed by wokeism: a newly-unearthed recording of a webinar indicated agents were taught to prioritize aiding LGBTQIA+* and other minority survivors over helping the most people possible.

▪️On October 6, former Hawaii congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard – who has been on the ground in North Carolina and Georgia – called FEMA's failures a "slap in the face" to "forgotten" Americans in need. FEMA has made excuses and blamed financial constraints for its failures in previous hurricane seasons. In July 2023, agency Administrator Deanne Criswell told US congressmen the agency was facing "intensified natural disasters throughout the year" due to "climate change."

It is unclear whether the agency will learn its lesson and will handle Hurricane Milton differently.

*banned for extremism in Russia

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Two drones from Lebanon launched at central Israel, one intercepted – IDF

“Following the sirens that sounded a short while ago in central Israel, two UAVs were identified crossing from Lebanon into Israeli territory. The UAVs were monitored from the moment they crossed the Lebanese border. The IAF successfully intercepted one UAV,” the report said.

According to the IDF, a building in the city of Herzliya, several kilometers north of Tel Aviv, was damaged as a result of the drone strike.

“At this time, damage was caused to a building in Herzliya. No injuries are currently reported,” the military added.

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