Recovery funding for Joplin delayed
From Missouri Digital News: https://mdn.org
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
MDN Menu

MDN Home

Journalist's Creed

Print

MDN Help

 MDN.ORG Mo. Digital News Missouri Digital News MDN.ORG: Mo. Digital News MDN.ORG: Missouri Digital News
Lobbyist Money Help  

Recovery funding for Joplin delayed

Date: August 29, 2011
By: Rebecca Woolf
State Capitol Bureau

Intro: 
Disaster areas like Joplin are being told to wait their turn before receiving more federal relief funding.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: Due to additional natural disasters like Hurricance Irene, FEMA's funds have dipped below $1 billion and the organization must prioritize.

FEMA spokesperson Josh Deberge says that while areas with the most immediate needs, like the East Coast, will receive funding first, all disaster areas including Joplin will receive promised money. 

Actuality:  DEBERGE2.WAV
Run Time:  00:14
Description: "Basically what it means is there are permanent projects out there that were associated with disasters, that the money for those projects will likely be delayed. That does not mean that there will be a reduction of funds or that money will be taken away."
 
FEMA says they will return to normal operations when Congress votes to replenish the fund.  However, they have no idea when that will happen.
 
Reporting from Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Woolf.

Intro: 
Disaster areas like Joplin not in need of immediate relief are taking a spot at the back of the line for federal funding.
RunTime:  0:44
OutCue:  SOC

Wrap: As FEMA facilitates recovery in disaster areas including eastern states affected by Hurricane Irene, FEMA officials say funds have been spread a bit too thin.

This means Joplin's tornado that hit almost three months ago doesn't meet FEMA's "immediate needs" strategy.

Joplin must wait for federal relief until FEMA can afford to make them a priority.

FEMA spokesperson Josh Deberge says the delay is temporary.

Actuality:  DEBERGE.WAV
Run Time:  00:11
Description: "Once that disaster relief fund is replenished, we can go back to kind of our normal operations and that's dependent on Congress and I can't really comment on any timeline for that."

For now, relief is focused on the East.  But FEMA promises recovery efforts in Joplin will not be left unfinished.

Reporting in Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Woolf.