When Hurricane Helen torn their homes from them, thousands of families in North Carolina used FEMA vouchers to stay in hotels until they could find a place to stay. In early January, many of these families learned that they would be expelled from their hotel rooms on January 11, just when a snowstorm had to hit North Carolina.
As soon as we found out about the situation, our senators, representatives and I hit the phones and managed to provide an extension for the temporary shelter of people in hotels.
But I didn’t have to accept these calls.
The snowstorm was just one example of countless times that, after a terrible natural disaster, FEMA showed too late or insufficient. We see this model again playing in real time, as the tornado imposes chaos on our neighbors in Kentucky, Missouri and others. We need a federal response to natural disasters, but FEMA doesn’t work. It’s time for real change.
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FEMA doesn’t work. North Carolina knows this too well.
First of all, we have to start FEMA immediately at the most important work after storm: constant restoration of homes and businesses. FEMA is currently focusing on temporary housing decisions after storming, while countries are waiting for HUD, usually for more than a year to finance constant home repairs. This costs the federal government thousands of dollars in temporary housing payments and makes homeowners wait longer to go home.
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Let’s shrink this time and cost by charging FEMA to constantly repair people’s homes so that they can move faster. This would be better for both homeowners and taxpayers.
Second, applying for federal help is too complicated. People need to complete complex support applications from FEMA, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, the Ministry of Health and Human Services and the administration of small business all after they have experienced a life-changing disaster. We could make FEMA an entrance door for people who need a federal disaster response using an application form. FEMA experts can then work with disasters survivors to get the necessary support.
Third, we have to do better than local authorities. There is no time to waste disaster recovery, so at the moment local authorities are paying for debris and repairs in advance. Then they have to wait for the recovery from FEMA. These cities are already facing problems with cash flow from the disaster, and after spending their own dollars for cleaning, they still have to figure out how to continue basic services, whether they pay teachers or take garbage.
Instead, states should receive funds for grant, as long as the Federal Government’s action plan has been sent in advance, even before the strike of disasters. Once FEMA approves the plan, it will finance the disaster work in advance instead of delaying recovery for months. This would allow local authorities to respond to storms faster and less financial disturbances. And FEMA can focus on monitoring and supervision, as well as on the work with on -site officials to ensure flexibility when needed.
We don’t have to eliminate FEMA to determine our federal response
Governor Josh Stein spoke during a media briefing in downtown Asheville on January 2, 2025. Stein signed five executive orders on January 2 to support Helen’s recovery effort.
Of course, countries must be responsible for federal support. But FEMA must also be held accountable. After FEMA has agreed to send funds – regardless of persons, countries or local authorities – recipients must see these funds within 14 days. This expectation should continue all efforts to recover, not just the hurricane Helen.
There is a lot of space to improve, but FEMA does some things right. As this is a federal agency, it has much more capacity to deal with the entire disaster response administration, the capacity that most countries do not have. Countries simply do not have the capacity to accept individual applications and receive people immediate cash in the way FEMA can. FEMA is also a recurring actor, so there is more technical knowledge to help people and cities gain the right help. And they help to educate local authorities for success so that they are ready to meet the needs of people.
We have to correct what is wrong with FEMA, but we literally cannot afford to throw away what is right.
When I talked to people who applied for FEMA help, I learned that the way to get help was too often full of obstacles during what was already an extremely difficult time. These changes I suggest will not make it easier for people to have access to critical information or disaster assistance. They will also provide compassion and dignity to the survivors in a time of great suffering.
As I write, North Carolina stares at another hurricane season. The tornado has devastated several states in recent weeks, and thousands of more Americans have been striving for FEMA for help. We can’t just wait for FEMA to be allowed. We don’t want to eliminate FEMA. We need to repair FEMA. If we do it now – if we reduce bureaucracy and focus on getting help with people – we will be so much ready to help the victims of the next storm.
Josh Stein is the 76th Governor of North Carolina.
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This article originally appeared in the USA Today: The hurricane season comes and FEMA is broken. Fix it. | Opinion