From the Congressional Research Service: Simplifying FEMA’s Assistance Programs: Selected Actions Taken and Potential Future Considerations. (3 pp)

From HSNews: Amid Hurricane Milton’s Devastation, a Sliver of Good News

Earlier this month Hurricane Milton caused an estimated $50 billion in damage and claimed the lives of at least 14 people, yet didn’t deliver the scale of destruction some had feared. Cellphone data suggest evacuation mandates, warning systems worked.

From CNN: 27 million people in California face ‘life-threatening’ fire warning

From NBCNews: Already in political crosshairs, fates of NOAA and FEMA hang in the election balance.

Government weather and disaster agencies have become increasingly politicized, so the election may be pivotal to their futures. Project 2025 recommends major changes and cuts to NOAA and FEMA.

From the Congressional Research Service: FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP)—Implementation and Considerations for Congress (74 pp)

This is one of several reports on the program published by CRS.

From Inside Climate News: After Disasters, Whites Gain Wealth, While People of Color Lose, Research Shows. The Biden administration has approved more than $2.3 billion for those affected by Hurricanes Milton and Helene. Studies show the system for distributing the funds deepens historical divides.

From Politico: FEMA didn’t answer almost half the calls it received for disaster aid. Hurricanes Helene and Milton have left the Federal Emergency Management Agency struggling to handle phone calls from survivors and maintain staffing.

“Hundreds of thousands of people who are trying to recover from disasters nationwide have been unable to get through to federal call centers or have stayed on hold for excessive periods of time in the weeks since Helene barreled into southern Appalachia last month.”

From The Conversation: People displaced by hurricanes face anxiety and a long road to recovery, US census surveys show − smarter, targeted policies could help

“As the climate warms, extreme storms are becoming more common in every region of the country. That’s raising the risks and the need for policymakers to prepare communities to limit harm from disasters and recover afterward. We believe rebuilding lives will require support long term, both for building more resilient homes and infrastructure and for recovering from the trauma.”

From HSNW: Helene and Milton Upended a Key Part of the Nation’s Agriculture System

“America depends on Southeastern agriculture. After two hurricanes and billions of dollars in damages, the US food supply chain faces an uncertain future.”