FEMA’s push for “equity” in disaster preparedness programs is drawing criticism following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. The agency launched a $12 million grant program in May 2023, focused on directing funds to underserved communities, including racial and sexual minorities, using the Biden-Harris administration’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST).
The grant program gave priority to communities with high concentrations of African Americans, LGBT individuals, and rural populations, emphasizing the need for “disaster equity.” However, some of the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Helene — such as areas in North Carolina and Georgia — were excluded from funding because they were not labeled as underserved by CEJST.
The storm left 227 people dead and caused $35 billion in damages, raising questions about whether FEMA’s focus on equity led to a misallocation of resources. Critics argue that the agency’s priorities may have overlooked vulnerable areas that needed disaster preparedness funding.
FEMA’s financial situation is already strained, as the agency spent nearly $1 billion on migrant assistance programs in the last two fiscal years. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has expressed concern about FEMA’s ability to respond to future hurricanes, particularly with Hurricane Milton, a Category 5 storm, headed for the Florida Gulf Coast.
As FEMA struggles to manage its resources, the debate over its equity-focused initiatives is likely to continue, especially as natural disasters strain the agency’s capacity.