disaster response /tags/disaster-response disaster response en-US SAąúĽĘ´«Ä± Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT Politifact FL: Under Trump, more FEMA disaster assistance applications are in limbo for longer /government-politics/2026-01-29/jared-moskowitz-fema-disaster-management As of Jan. 28, the Federal Emergency Management Agency had 18 disaster declaration applications awaiting President Donald Trump’s approval. Eleven are more than a month old and some date back to October 2025. Thu, 29 Jan 2026 17:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-01-29/jared-moskowitz-fema-disaster-management Samantha Putterman | PolitiFact FEMA is getting rid of thousands of workers in areas recovering from disasters /government-politics/2026-01-16/fema-is-getting-rid-of-thousands-of-workers-in-areas-recovering-from-disasters Thousands of employees whose contracts end this year will lose their jobs, FEMA managers said at personnel meetings this week. The cuts could hobble the nation's disaster agency. Fri, 16 Jan 2026 15:26:00 GMT /government-politics/2026-01-16/fema-is-getting-rid-of-thousands-of-workers-in-areas-recovering-from-disasters Rebecca Hersher Kristi Noem fast-tracked millions in disaster aid to Florida tourist attraction after campaign donor intervened /government-politics/2025-09-29/kristi-noem-fast-tracked-millions-in-disaster-aid-to-florida-tourist-attraction-after-campaign-donor-intervened For months, the complaints have rolled in from parts of the country hit by natural disasters: The Federal Emergency Management Agency was moving far too slowly in sending aid to communities ravaged by floods and hurricanes, including in central Texas and North Carolina. Many officials were blaming Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, whose agency oversees FEMA. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 12:00:00 GMT /government-politics/2025-09-29/kristi-noem-fast-tracked-millions-in-disaster-aid-to-florida-tourist-attraction-after-campaign-donor-intervened Joshua Kaplan, Justin Elliott and Alex Mierjeski | ProPublica Opposition grows to Florida law designed to improve disaster recovery /environment/2025-08-08/opposition-grows-to-florida-law-designed-to-improve-disaster-recovery A nonprofit smart growth advocacy organization, 1000 Friends of Florida, is the latest entity calling for the Florida Legislature to repeal portions of a new law designed to expedite post-disaster rebuilding. Fri, 08 Aug 2025 20:27:00 GMT /environment/2025-08-08/opposition-grows-to-florida-law-designed-to-improve-disaster-recovery Mitch Perry | Florida Phoenix Florida lacks language laws for disaster communications, leaving counties, residents on their own /weather/2024-09-24/florida-lacks-language-laws-for-disaster-communications-leaving-counties-residents-on-their-own Some Spanish and Mayan language speakers may struggle or hesitate to use county resources. When they do, subtle mistranslations can lead to dangerous misunderstandings. Tue, 24 Sep 2024 20:06:30 GMT /weather/2024-09-24/florida-lacks-language-laws-for-disaster-communications-leaving-counties-residents-on-their-own Rose Schnabel Florida legislators to hold special session to impose sanctions on Iran, support Israel /government-politics/2023-10-22/florida-legislators-to-hold-special-session-to-impose-sanctions-on-iran-support-israel The proclamation came after Gov. Ron DeSantis' office said earlier Friday a special session would be held to increase sanctions against Iran, as Republican leaders seek to show support for Israel during the war with Hamas. Mon, 23 Oct 2023 02:55:32 GMT /government-politics/2023-10-22/florida-legislators-to-hold-special-session-to-impose-sanctions-on-iran-support-israel Braving the storm: FIU students experience disaster simulation /education/2023-07-19/fiu-hosts-hurricane-simulation Florida International University's Academy for International Disaster Preparedness created a simulation of the aftermath of made-up Hurricane Marsha. Fifty students spent the weekend learning how to lead a response team. Wed, 19 Jul 2023 15:22:25 GMT /education/2023-07-19/fiu-hosts-hurricane-simulation Alexa Herrera 2022 racked up 165 billion dollars in disaster damages—the third costliest year on record /weather/2023-01-13/2022-racked-up-165-billion-dollars-in-disaster-damages-the-third-costliest-year-on-record Out of all 50 states, Florida ranked first in damages with $116 billion attributed to the Sunshine State alone. It’s also the most expensive year for Florida in the 42-year history of the billion-dollar disaster report. Florida is the second-leading state in total costs across all years, behind Texas. Fri, 13 Jan 2023 19:30:00 GMT /weather/2023-01-13/2022-racked-up-165-billion-dollars-in-disaster-damages-the-third-costliest-year-on-record Melissa Feito Florida's emergency chief seeks changes in disaster response /state/2023-01-06/floridas-emergency-chief-seeks-changes-in-disaster-response Florida’s emergency-management director wants lawmakers to make changes to help with disaster preparation and response. Fri, 06 Jan 2023 16:30:00 GMT /state/2023-01-06/floridas-emergency-chief-seeks-changes-in-disaster-response Jim Turner Floridians have less than two weeks left to apply for low-interest federal loans after Ian /state/2023-01-05/floridians-have-less-than-two-weeks-left-to-apply-for-low-interest-federal-loans-after-ian The SBA has approved over $1.3 billion in SBA loans for business and home owners. Thu, 05 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT /state/2023-01-05/floridians-have-less-than-two-weeks-left-to-apply-for-low-interest-federal-loans-after-ian