As Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida as a Category 5 storm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) finds itself at the center of a storm of its own. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has come under intense scrutiny for claiming that FEMA has exhausted its disaster relief funds, just as a report from the Department of Homeland Security's Inspector General revealed the agency is sitting on at least $8.3 billion in unspent resources from past crises.
Mayorkas raised eyebrows during an Oct. 2 press briefing when he stated, "We are expecting another hurricane hitting. We do not have the funds. FEMA does not have the funds to make it through the season and what is imminent." His comments came as communities in Florida and the southeastern U.S. continue to recover from Hurricane Helene, which recently devastated the region, leaving more than 220 people dead and hundreds still missing.
However, the DHS Inspector General's report paints a different picture, indicating that FEMA has approximately $8.3 billion in unliquidated obligations from disaster declarations as far back as 2012. The report suggests that at least $7 billion of these funds could potentially be reallocated to address current disaster relief efforts. Critics argue that these funds, tied up in long-term appropriations and unused grants, could significantly aid those now struggling to survive Hurricane Milton's imminent impact.
"FEMA has been extending deadlines on these funds for up to 16 years, often without clear justification," noted Jeremy Portnoy from the watchdog group Open the Books. "This bureaucratic red tape has essentially frozen billions that could be helping families and communities in desperate need right now."
Adding fuel to the fire, reports have emerged accusing FEMA of mismanaging resources, particularly regarding its spending on non-disaster-related initiatives. The agency is said to have allocated over $1 billion toward sheltering illegal migrants, sparking criticism from Republican lawmakers who argue that FEMA's priority should be U.S. citizens affected by natural disasters. Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) has even introduced a bill to halt FEMA's migrant shelter program, calling it a misuse of funds amid mounting crises.
Despite the criticism, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell dismissed the claims of financial mismanagement as "ridiculous." During an interview with ABC's "This Week," Criswell emphasized that FEMA's primary focus remains on disaster relief and supporting communities impacted by hurricanes and other natural events. "It's really a shame that we're putting politics ahead of helping people, and that's what we're here to do," she said.
The White House has also jumped into the fray, labeling allegations that FEMA's disaster funds were diverted to assist migrants as "absolutely false." Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates stated, "No disaster relief funding at all was used to support migrant housing and services. None. At. All." Bates clarified that funds for migrant assistance come from a different budget administered by Customs and Border Patrol, not FEMA's disaster relief coffers.
The controversy surrounding FEMA's funding practices comes as Florida braces for the full force of Hurricane Milton. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has warned residents to evacuate, emphasizing the urgency of clearing debris left over from Hurricane Helene to prevent it from becoming dangerous projectiles. "We don't have time for bureaucracy and red tape," DeSantis stated, highlighting the state's need for immediate and effective disaster response.
As the hurricane approaches, communities are scrambling to secure essential supplies, with gas lines growing and some stations already running dry. In the midst of this crisis, FEMA has assured the public that it has adequate resources to meet immediate needs. Jaclyn Rothenberg, FEMA's director of public affairs, urged residents to apply for assistance without hesitation, stating, "We want you to get help from us. We are here actively working around the clock to support you."
Meanwhile, the DHS Inspector General's report has cast a shadow over FEMA's disaster relief operations, revealing that billions of dollars in funds from previous emergencies remain unspent. Critics argue that the prolonged timelines for using these funds, particularly those tied to disasters like Super Storm Sandy in 2012, increase the risk of fraud, waste, and abuse.
"FEMA's reliance on subjective criteria to extend grant spending has led to a situation where vast sums remain unutilized, even as communities face new disasters," the report noted. "The potential risk for fraud, waste, and abuse grows the longer these programs remain open."
With Hurricane Milton now threatening to hit Florida's west coast, the controversy over FEMA's unused funds is likely to intensify. Analysts warn that the agency's handling of these funds will be under the microscope as lawmakers and the public demand greater transparency and accountability. As the debate over disaster relief funding continues, the question remains: Can FEMA efficiently mobilize its resources to meet the immediate needs of those in the path of one of the most powerful hurricanes in recent memory?
