Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas assured the public that FEMA is well-equipped to tackle Hurricane Milton, despite recent concerns about staffing shortages.
His remarks came during an appearance on MSNBC’s Inside With Jen Psaki, following a New York Times article indicating that only about 10% of FEMA’s workforce was available for emergency response.
As of Monday, Hurricane Milton had intensified to a Category 5 storm, with the National Hurricane Center warning it could be one of the most devastating hurricanes ever recorded for west-central Florida. It’s predicted to strike Florida’s western coastline on Wednesday, potentially bringing a storm surge of up to 15 feet in the Tampa Bay area.
In response to the New York Times report, which stated that just 1,217 FEMA staffers were ready to respond, Mayorkas remained optimistic. He highlighted that FEMA currently has around 900 personnel already deployed in Florida, including search and rescue teams and support from the Army Corps of Engineers.
“FEMA is flexible,” he stated. “We can handle multiple incidents at once and are fully prepared.”
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Mayorkas had previously warned about the agency’s financial limitations for the remainder of the 2024 hurricane season. “We are currently managing with the funds we have, but FEMA will struggle to get through the season,” he remarked.
Recently, Congress allocated funds for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund in a temporary spending bill just before Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern U.S. However, additional requested disaster funding was not approved.
President Biden also called on Congress for more resources, explaining that while FEMA has what they need to meet immediate demands, a significant shortfall is anticipated at year-end. He emphasized the importance of continued funding for both short- and long-term recovery efforts.
During the interview, Mayorkas noted that misinformation surrounding natural disasters has led to many victims feeling hesitant to apply for assistance. He lamented: “What used to unite us during disasters is now often politicized, causing those affected to distrust the government and avoid seeking help.”
Meteorologist Jonathan Porter from AccuWeather described Hurricane Milton as potentially a “historic, once-in-a-lifetime storm.” This comes on the heels of Hurricane Helene, which inflicted extensive damage and resulted in over 225 fatalities in late September.