About $17 billion in federal disaster funds for states is facing added review delays after a directive requiring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s approval for expenditures of $100,000 or more. According to reporting, the bottleneck is slowing payments that had already been approved for debris removal and repairs to roads, bridges, and water and sewer systems. The added layer of review is raising concerns about how quickly states can access funds needed for disaster recovery and infrastructure repair.
Why This Matters:
Delays in disaster funding can slow recovery efforts and delay repairs to essential infrastructure and services. When outside help takes longer to arrive, it becomes even more important to take preparedness seriously and make sure your household is ready to handle disruptions on its own for a period of time.
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Source: The New York Times
By: Scott Dance
