Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, chairman of the House Emergency Management and Technology Subcommittee, has asked FEMA to provide information on its preparedness for Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic flooding in several Southern states. FEMA confirmed receipt of the letter and will work with Congress on recovery efforts. Homeland security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall stated that FEMA saved lives by pre-positioning resources in Florida and surging capacity post-landfall in the hardest-hit areas such as western North Carolina. While former President Trump criticized FEMA’s response, Sen. Thom Tillis and Rep. Chuck Edwards praised the agency’s efforts, with Edwards recalling how his complaints were addressed immediately. FEMA has already provided over $110 million in federal assistance and deployed thousands of personnel to support recovery efforts, distributing meals, water, generators, tarps, and more to affected areas. Rep. Edwards also demanded temporary cell towers, which were promptly delivered to six counties. The overall response to Hurricane Helene has been a mix of criticism, praise, and ongoing efforts to improve coordination and response to natural disasters.
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