Survivors of major natural disasters in the U.S. are having to wait lon
ger to get aid from the federal government, according to a new Associated Press analysis of decades of data.
On average, it took less than two weeks for a governor’s request for a major disaster declaration to be granted by presidents in the 1990s and early 2
000s. That rose to about three weeks during the past decade under presidents from both major parties. It’s taking more t
han a month, on average, so far during President Donald Trump’s current term, the AP found.
The delays mean individuals must wait to receive federal aid for daily living expenses, temporary lodging and hom
e repairs. Delays in disaster declarations also can hamper recovery efforts by local officials uncertain whether they
will receive federal reimbursement for cleaning up debris and rebuilding infrastructure. The AP collaborated with M
ississippi Today and Mississippi Free Press on the effects of these delays for this report.
The federal government plays a major role after disasters
Americans expect government help after disasters. About three-fourths of people want the U.S. government to
play a major role in providing aid to communities and helping them rebuild after natural disasters, according to a poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research.
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The Federal Emergency Management Agency often helps communities coordinate their immediate disaster re
sponse. But direct payments to individuals, nonprofits and local governments must wait for a major disaster declaration from the president, who first must receive a request from a state, territory or tribe.
Major disaster declarations are intended only for the most damaging events that are beyond the resources of states and local governments. In such cases, FEMA provides two general categories of ai
d, for individuals and public entities. Presidents can approve disaster aid for either or both purposes. Reque
sts coordinated through a state are approved on a county-by-county basis, depending on the level of damage and need.
How long is it taking to declare major disasters?
Trump has approved more than two dozen major disaster declarations since taking office in January, with an average wait of almost 34 days after a request. The average wait is up from a 24-day delay during his first term and is nearly four times as long as the average for former Republican President George H.W. Bush, whose term from 1989-1993 coincided with the implementation of a new federal law setting parameters for disaster determinations.
The delays have grown over time, regardless of the party in power. Former Democratic President Joe Biden, in his last year in office, averaged 26 days to declare major disasters — longer than any year under former Democratic President Barack Obama.