As a still-reeling Florida braces for Hurricane Milton’s impact, the U.S. government’s top disaster relief arm, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is working to provide relief amid back-to-back storms.
Milton strengthened to a Category 5 storm on Monday while taking aim at Florida’s west coast, but is forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.
Hurricane watches are in effect in Tampa, Sarasota, Fort Myers, Naples and Orlando.
Late last month, Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region, leaving a 500-mile path of destruction from Florida through the southern Appalachians that has been nothing short of catastrophic.
As officials warn of the dangers Hurricane Milton could bring on the heels of Helene’s damage, understanding what role FEMA does and doesn’t play in disaster relief can help mitigate misinformation as the agency works to aid in response efforts.
What does FEMA do?
FEMA works to supply aid to people in affected areas before, during and after disasters by providing money, technical assistance and guidance, according to the agency.
Former President Jimmy Carter signed an executive order to establish FEMA in 1979, and the agency is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
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