On Saturday, the death toll from Hurricane Helene reached 227 and is continuing to rise, according to officials.
The director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Deanne Criswell, addressed concerns about the agency’s funding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s impact on North Carolina. She expressed disappointment in prioritizing politics over helping people and emphasized the importance of supporting first responders. Criswell refuted claims about FEMA lacking funding due to assisting illegal immigrants, stating that such statements are detrimental to recovery efforts.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas raised concerns about FEMA running out of funding for future hurricanes but assured that there are adequate resources for the immediate response to Hurricane Helene. FEMA spokeswoman Jaclyn Rothenberg echoed Criswell’s statements, emphasizing the need to monitor funding levels closely.
Despite criticisms from some Republicans, including former President Donald Trump, Criswell denied allegations of FEMA diverting funds to illegal immigrants. She dismissed such claims as baseless and unfounded.
Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina dismissed claims of inadequate federal resources for the state post-Helene and anticipated additional funding approval from Congress. He highlighted the need for more resources while acknowledging the impact of the administration’s border policies on federal spending.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread destruction in Florida and beyond. The death toll has risen to 227, with ongoing search and rescue efforts. FEMA is now focusing on preparing for Hurricane Milton, expected to hit western Florida in the coming days.
The article also mentions FEMA’s allocation of funding for migrants in the United States earlier in the year, but Criswell did not address this in her ABC interview. The report concludes with preparations for Hurricane Milton and discussions with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis regarding potential impacts.
(Note: The article includes quoted text, links, and references to external sources, as well as specific details about FEMA’s response and funding allocation.) Please rewrite this sentence.
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