“Over 24,000 Seek FEMA Help: A Surge in Applications Amid Crisis”

As firefighters in Los Angeles enter their sixth day of combating the still-burning wildfires, numerous residents are beginning to assess the devastation left in their neighborhoods.

Countless homes have been obliterated, and over 150,000 individuals are under evacuation notices as the city prepares for stronger winds that could intensify the already catastrophic fires.

Last week, President Biden proclaimed a major disaster in the region, unlocking federal resources from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The White House states that these resources are being utilized to provide essential services like grants for temporary accommodation and low-interest loans to cover uninsured property damages.

In a discussion with NPR’s Weekend Edition, Deanne Criswell, administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, conversed with host Ayesha Rascoe regarding how this aid is being utilized to support LA County residents impacted by the wildfires.

This conversation has been condensed for brevity and clarity.

Interview highlights

You have witnessed numerous disasters. What distinguishes this one?

Individuals have lost it all. In cases of hurricanes and tornadoes, people often have belongings they can sift through to recover their memories. However, in this instance, they have lost the physical structures and so many of their memories, making the path ahead significantly more challenging in the weeks and months to come.

What type of financial aid is FEMA providing to individuals who have lost their homes and belongings?

FEMA offers a program known as individual assistance, aimed at kickstarting the recovery process for individuals or families. If they haven’t already done so, they should register for assistance at disasterassistance.gov.

Additionally, they should reach out to their insurance provider, as while our assistance programs initiate the recovery journey, we won’t rebuild their houses for them. Therefore, the insurance company plays a crucial role in this aspect. If further assistance is still needed, we will collaborate with other partners, including the Small Business Administration and our philanthropic and nonprofit allies, to support each family as they navigate their next steps.

Are you aware of how many individuals have applied for FEMA assistance up to this point?

More than 24,000 have already submitted applications, and we anticipate that this number will continue to grow.

You mentioned individuals reaching out to their insurance providers, but we understand many may lack fire insurance coverage. Can FEMA assist in this situation?

There is little we can do regarding requiring the insurance company to continue. Our goal is to partner with these communities during the rebuilding phase, ensuring that they are reconstructed in a manner that enhances resilience against future disasters so that the insurance industry will want to remain involved. But I must stress the importance of individuals contacting their insurance company to obtain documentation demonstrating that they are either underinsured or uninsured. This is a vital step that enhances their chances of accessing additional programs.

What about those who have evacuated but cannot find accommodation with friends or relatives? Are there temporary housing options available?

There are multiple shelters situated throughout the area. Additionally, one of the programs that FEMA offers is we can…

reimburse them if they have been lodging in a hotel. If you have lodged in a hotel, retain your receipts. Sign up for that assistance, and then we can aid them in obtaining reimbursement for the expenses they’ve incurred during these initial days of merely attempting to remain safe and avoid danger.

FEMA funds also go to municipal authorities for recovery initiatives. What is the top priority at this moment?

For the reconstruction, the initial step we need to undertake is to clear all of the damaged debris, correct? All of the buildings that have been ruined. Therefore, before we can commence with rebuilding roads, homes, and businesses, it is essential to remove that debris. This is one of the crucial actions that must commence, which is why President Biden allocated 100% reimbursement for debris removal costs to California, along with covering all of their emergency expenditures incurred during the response to this situation. Following that, we will collaborate with the state of California regarding their priorities to assist them in their recovery journey.

President-elect Donald Trump is asserting that FEMA lacks sufficient funds to address these fires. Is this accurate?

That is completely incorrect. We received bipartisan support for the supplemental funding, which provided us with an additional $27 billion to facilitate the response and recovery from these fires, in addition to the ongoing recovery efforts we are undertaking in North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida following hurricanes Helene and Milton.