Hope in a hurricane
Hurricane Helene has caused damage beyond what most of us who have grown up in the Southeast can grasp. Asheville is a city beloved by all who have been lucky enough to visit, and the wreckage in a town known for its color and liveliness is devastating. Hurricane Helene has caused at least 160 known deaths, with many still missing. The impact of this storm will be felt for years to come.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has warned that FEMA does not have sufficient funding for this year's hurricane season. With Hurricane Kirk strengthening in the Atlantic, to say this is concerning is an understatement. Congress has given FEMA $20 billion, but Mayorkas maintains that with 150,ooo households registering for assistance and more expected to come, FEMA will not be able to properly address the needs of the affected.
Though it is difficult to find any positivity in this horrific disaster, silver linings are most important in times that seem impossibly hard.
Partisanship has been pushed aside during this crisis which has allowed Republican and Democrat senators to come together to plead for Congress to take action, going so far as to say that Congress may need to return to the Hill during October. Seeing politicians reach across the aisle to better serve the people is heartening and shows that even in this polarized political climate, teamwork is not impossible.
The rate at which these natural disasters have been occurring and the increase in "once in a lifetime" hurricanes makes one question when the government will do more in terms of prevention and adaptation. Is it finally time to acknowledge climate change and the severity it brings to all people? Will the administration in charge take action in reducing American impact on the environment and increasing our ability to cope with the increase in storms and wildfires and other natural disasters? It is a slim hope, but a hope nonetheless.
This was such a great read! It is so disheartening to hear all that has taken place throughout the Southeast as Hurricane Helene tour through it leaving disastrous effects. I was unaware that FEMA has stated to not have enough funds to assist in covering the damages that have been taken place as well as the sheer number of households that have reported needed assistance. That was extremely eye opening and will also be interesting to see how they handle the upcoming storms. I think it was a great point to also discuss climate change and the seemingly ever-present increase in life altering storms as this will only increase as time goes on. It was very nice to hear though that politicians on both sides were able to come together in order to put their own views aside and work towards a greater good. I really look forward to reading future posts!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It is hard to see positivity when something this detrimental occurs in our country, but the one silver lining, bipartisanship. It is nice to see the Senators come together to push legislation in hopes to curb the disaster relief. It is quite astonishing to see just how terrible the hurricane was for the city. The entire city is gone and it is shocking to witness how an inland city saw this much impact. Hopefully the government can come to a reasonable aid package to assist the American people.
ReplyDeleteHurricanes this year seemed to have strengthen due to the possible increase in climate change. Its refreshing that Congress was able to stand together for once on a common issue. Especially those who represented those states. When disasters like these happen its important to stand together as a nation.
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