Two Hurricanes, One Warning: System Failures Demand Immediate Investment in Change

Resident Anne Schneider, right, hugs her friend Eddy Sampson as they survey damage left in the wake of Hurricane Helene, Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024, in Marshall, N.C. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

By: Elizabeth Wright, SBP Chief Communications and Marketing Officer

(NEW ORLEANS) Oct. 7, 2024—In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact — and with Hurricane Milton barreling toward Florida as a potentially catastrophic Category 5 storm —  the urgency for a substantial, long-term investment in disaster recovery has reached a critical threshold. The nonprofit SBP is sounding the alarm: without immediate and decisive action, we face a spiraling regional catastrophe that could erode the very fabric of our communities.

Experts are now ranking Hurricane Helene among the five worst storms in U.S. history, wreaking havoc on infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.

“The reality is stark,” says SBP Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer Reese May. “We haven’t seen a storm of this magnitude since Hurricane Katrina, and the impending threat of Milton could escalate the situation even further. Vulnerable communities, already in crisis mode due to a national flood insurance disaster and a crippling affordable housing shortage, need our urgent intervention.”

Why It’s Critical to Act—And Fast

In just the past year, emergency declarations have been issued every three days, putting immense pressure on FEMA’s resources. The grim reality is that FEMA is running out of funds to support victims of Hurricane Helene. Historically, a mere 10% of the donations collected for disaster relief go toward recovery efforts—an alarming statistic that underscores a critical funding gap and emphasizes that our response to disaster needs to be as innovative as it is generous.

Five Proactive Fixes That Cannot Wait

1. 1. Congress Must Return to Session Now: The time for legislative action is here. Congress needs to return from recess and allocate urgent funding for FEMA so that Helene and Milton survivors can begin to rebuild their lives IMMEDIATELY.
   2. Revolutionize Flood Insurance: The fact that less than 1% of households in the flooded regions have adequate flood coverage is unacceptable. We must prioritize transformative solutions to close the flood insurance gap and protect vulnerable households.
   3. Redefine the Disaster Narrative: It’s time to change the conversation. The overwhelming majority of disaster relief donations are funneled into immediate response, but long-term recovery deserves equal spotlight. Media outlets and philanthropists must shift their focus to ensure that rebuilding efforts receive the attention they urgently require.
   4. Elevate Vulnerable Communities: Survivors without financial means face unimaginable hardship and increasing cycles of poverty. We cannot allow this systemic issue to go unaddressed. Targeted support must be prioritized for the most vulnerable among us.
   5. Simplify the Recovery Process: Congress has a historic opportunity to pass the Disaster Assistance Simplification Act. Streamlining and clarifying the FEMA application process is essential for ensuring survivors can swiftly access the help they need.

We stand at a crossroads. Nearly two decades post-Katrina, we have learned that robust disaster recovery infrastructure is not a luxury—it is a necessity. The threats of the 2024 hurricane season are proof that we are all at risk.