Hurricane Idalia Weakening as President Biden Allocates $95B for Maui Wildfire Recovery
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden has issued a warning about the potential danger Hurricane Idalia still poses, despite the storm weakening after making landfall in Florida. He also assured the wildfire victims in Hawaii that they have not been forgotten. Facing consecutive extreme weather events – the devastating wildfires that ravaged the historic town of Maui and the looming threat of Idalia, which could cause catastrophic flooding – President Biden disclosed that he has been in contact with the governors of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina, all states affected by the hurricane.
President Biden received frequent briefings from Deanne Criswell, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding the hurricane. He directed her to dedicate Thursday to assessing the damage caused by Idalia and determining the needs in coordination with Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. Despite their previous disagreements stemming from DeSantis’s socially conservative policies, President Biden emphasized that their discussions about the storm have been free from politics.
Hurricane Idalia arrived on Keaton Beach early in the morning as a Category 3 hurricane, boasting maximum sustained winds of approximately 205 kph (125 mph). However, by Wednesday afternoon, it had transitioned into a tropical storm, bringing less intense winds of around 113 kph (70 mph).
In addition to addressing the hurricane’s aftermath, President Biden also announced that $95 billion in infrastructure funds will be allocated to Maui. This funding aims to enhance the resilience of the electrical grid, with measures such as erecting stronger poles to support power lines and exploring options for burying them underground. Additionally, the funds will be used to implement technology that can provide alerts about potential power disruptions.
While some residents of Maui, who lost their homes in the wildfires, have expressed frustration over the delayed return to their properties, President Biden urged patience, explaining that hazardous materials must be cleared before reentry can occur. He assured them that every effort is being made to assist in their recovery, rebuild their lives, and restore their homes. However, President Biden acknowledged that progress may take time, emphasizing the importance of managing expectations in this regard.
The federal government is taking responsibility for debris removal, including hazardous materials, in order to facilitate the recovery process.
In response to complaints from Maui residents regarding the lack of early assistance from the government, certain Republicans in Congress have threatened to launch an investigation into the federal response in Hawaii. President Biden convened a Cabinet meeting to discuss the situation on the island and consulted with Bob Fenton, the FEMA official in charge of overseeing Maui’s long-term recovery. Reiterating his commitment to the island’s restoration, President Biden assured the residents that the government will stay until the job is completed, offering ongoing support as necessary.
As President Biden continues to address the aftermath of Hurricane Idalia and the devastation caused by the Maui wildfires, the focus remains on providing assistance and ensuring the affected communities can recover. The President’s efforts aim to not only rebuild but also make the necessary improvements to withstand future disasters.
