The government of President Joe Biden faces two alerts of emergencyone in Hawaii due to the fires in Maui that have left more than 100 dead, and the tropical storm that made landfall in California, but could have effects in other states, such as Arizona.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) applies two levels of actionsince while in Hawaii it continues with direct aid, estimated at $8 million dollars to affected families, in California and other states it maintains an “observation” position, to take actions when state authorities request support.
“We have the National Response Center operating one hundred percent, 24 hours a day, to identify the needs they may have,” said Daniel Llargués, FEMA spokesman. “There are about 200 federal agencies at this center in Washington, which offer resources that FEMA may not have.”
He added that there is coordination, for example, with the Department of Housing, if accommodation is required for victims in Hawaii and the states affected by storm Hilary, but the needs are determined by the states.
The help can be of different types, such as food, water, shelter and medical support, the spokesman said.
“We are going to identify the resource [que se requiere]if it is with the Department of Defense, if it is with the Coast Guard or if it is with another federal agency,” he added.
While monitoring the aftermath of Storm Hilary, President Biden and First Lady Jill travel to Hawaiito meet with emergency personnel and local authorities, as well as some of the victims of the fires.
More than 100 people are confirmed dead, but there are at least 1,000 missing.
The governor of Hawaii, Josh Green, is the one who leads the coordination of aid that is required.
the storm hillary
“We are closely monitoring the passage of Tropical Storm Hilary, which is California, Arizona and Nevada,” the FEMA spokesperson said.
He indicated that FEMA has teams deployed for storm Hilarybut asked people in those states to stay safe and ask for help.
“There are still flooded roads, downed trees, downed power lines that can be very dangerous,” he said.
State authorities will determine the type of assistance that FEMA can provide, as well as the actions of other federal agencies.
Aids in Hawaii
Llargués pointed out that this Monday, FEMA exceeded $8 million in direct aid to familiesan amount that will increase in the coming days, due to the fact that the emergency continues.
The funds for infrastructure that was damaged, such as roads, electrical installations, among others, will come from a different fund and depending on the evaluation of the states.
Llargués noted that the recovery of entities after a disaster can take years, as in Puerto Rico, where work continues -after six years- to face the consequences of Hurricane María.
Families in Hawaii are helped under two programs, one direct assistance for critical issues and support for housing and other needs.