WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is allocating more than $100 billion in emergency aid aimed at addressing the widespread damage caused by disasters, following this week’s struggle to reach consensus on a government spending bill.
The money comes after hurricanes – Helene and Milton – hit the southeastern United States this fall, causing widespread damage. But the money would go to much more than just those two storms under the bill intended to keep the federal government funded through March 14.
Disaster funding appeared likely to pass earlier this week, until President-elect Donald Trump issued new demands that stymied compromise and threatened a federal shutdown before Christmas. Congress authorized a pared-down version early Saturday when Republicans withdrew Trump’s core request.
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Here’s a look at what’s in the bill for disaster relief and where the money will go:
How much money is in the legislation for FEMA?
The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster relief fund is essentially the nation’s checkbook for emergencies. From this, the government reimburses states and local governments for things like removing debris piled up after hurricanes or overtime for firefighters and police working during disasters.
It also includes money for individual residents, ranging from the $750 payments that disaster survivors can get to the $42,500 that some uninsured homeowners can receive to help them rebuild.
Esther Manheimer, mayor of Asheville, the largest mountain city in North Carolina that was hit hard by Helene, said city officials welcomed the additional disaster dollars.
It was only four weeks ago that Asheville residents were able to drink and bathe in the water coming out of their taps. Some businesses in western North Carolina have closed permanently or are struggling to survive, and more than 200 roads in the region remain closed.
In a statement earlier this week, Manheimer stressed that it would still be a long recovery and that “we are already seeing the economic, budgetary and employment impact that Helene has left in her wake.”
The disaster fund almost ran dry after Helene and Milton. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell warned during a Senate hearing in November that the fund is down to $5 billion.
The Biden administration had asked Congress for about $40 billion for the relief fund, but the bill ultimately passed provides for a lower amount, $29 billion.
It’s important to keep in mind that this isn’t the only money for the disaster relief fund, said Stan Gimont, senior advisor for community recovery at Hagerty Consulting. He led the community development grant program at the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
More money can and likely will be allocated to the fund later if Congress makes a full-year allocation, he said.
What else is on the invoice?
There is also about $21 billion in disaster relief to help farmers.
North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said earlier this week that he was pleased with the agricultural aid, but that the state has many specialty crops, such as sweet potatoes and Christmas trees, that are generally not covered by federal programs. He said he’ll have to wait and see what specifically is covered.
“We are still evaluating the bill because it contains many nuances. The devil is in the details,” he said.
Other money would go toward rebuilding damaged roads and highways ($8 billion), while more money (about $12 billion) would go toward helping communities recover through HUD grants.
The block grant money is one of the most important funds for homeowners who do not have insurance or sufficient insurance to recover from disasters.
There is also $2.2 billion available for low-interest loans for businesses, nonprofits and homeowners trying to rebuild their homes after a disaster.
But the money doesn’t just go to local residents.
For example, there is money for the military to address damage from hurricanes and typhoons and for a new hurricane hunter – the planes used to investigate hurricanes – and money to help NASA rebuild facilities damaged by hurricanes.
Is the money only for recovery from Hurricanes Helene and Milton?
No. The money goes to more than these two disasters.
Some of the money is specifically earmarked for certain projects, such as $1.5 billion for relief efforts following the largest wildfire in New Mexico history – the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon fire – and the Francis Scott rebuild Key Bridge in Baltimore.
But much of the money also goes more generally to major disasters that have occurred in recent years.
The types of disasters covered by the legislation include droughts, wildfires, hurricanes, floods, derechos and smoke exposure.
Gimont points out that disaster recovery can take a long time, so the country is both paying for disasters that have happened before and preparing for events that will happen in the future.
Take, for example, the massive fire in Maui. Last year, the Hawaiian city of Lahaina was decimated, but the cleanup itself lasted until late summer 2024, according to Gimont.
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Loller reported from Nashville, Tennessee.
