Hurricanes Helene and Milton are set to cause massive damage, similar to Katrina and Sandy. But after the storms, something else spread: fake news. Politicians like Donald Trump and Elon Musk claimed FEMA was wasting money on illegal immigrants or controlling the weather. While these claims are false, they highlight a real problem: FEMA and other vital agencies are running out of money.

Years of poor funding have left agencies like FEMA, the SBA, and the EPA struggling. The SBA’s disaster loan program, for instance, has run out of cash. The CDC, EPA, and National Park Service are also feeling the pinch. If Trump wins the election, it could get worse. His proposed cuts could cripple agencies like NOAA and FEMA.

We can’t let politics ruin our disaster response. We need a new strategy to tackle natural disasters. That means closing tax loopholes, setting clear funding targets, and punishing companies that harm the environment. We should also learn from the Department of Defense, which has a massive budget to protect national security.

A commitment of a certain percentage of GDP to environmental and emergency agencies, similar to NATO’s defense spending rule, could help. Global partnerships are also crucial. Countries like China and Germany are already investing in clean tech and infrastructure. The U. S. should do the same to stay competitive.

FEMA, once the best at disaster relief, is now a symbol of our national crisis. We can’t afford to be distracted by conspiracy theories. Hurricane Milton is just the beginning. We need to strengthen our industries and prepare for future disasters.

“Storms and Lies: Why FEMA Needs More Than Words”

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