Why America needs disaster reform now

As someone who lives in Western North Carolina, the past few weeks have been tough. Walking through Asheville and surrounding towns, it is heartbreaking to see what remains in the wake of Hurricane Helene — homes torn apart, cars flipped, furniture covered in mud.

Small towns once held together by schools and local shops now face broken windows and collapsed roofs. This devastation is not just an isolated incident; it is part of a relentless series of disasters that hit our communities year after year, made worse by crumbling infrastructure and unchecked development in vulnerable areas.

As FEMA administrator beginning in 2017, I witnessed the agency stretched thin by one crisis after another — a pattern that has only intensified since I left office five years ago. Today, FEMA is managing more than 100 active disaster recovery efforts nationwide and that does not account for the other crises they have been called to support other federal agencies with, like the COVID-19 pandemic and the southern border.

Originally designed to be adaptable, our nation’s disaster management system has become bogged down by bureaucracy. Nearly 90 different recovery programs span 30 federal agencies, creating delays and confusion at the very moments when survivors and communities need swift, clear support. Small, incremental policy changes are no longer enough; we need reforms that accelerate recovery, eliminate roadblocks and equip communities to prepare more effectively for what lies ahead.

Federal disaster funding focuses on uninsured public infrastructure repairs, unintentionally fostering reliance on federal aid and reducing local investment in resilience. This dependency, noted by the Government Accountability Office in 1982, remains problematic, as highlighted by North Carolina’s recent loss of $70 million in federal preparedness funds due to outdated 2015 building codes. These standards put North Carolina at a competitive disadvantage, increasing vulnerability to storms like Hurricane Helene.

Despite findings that each dollar spent on mitigation saves much more, few states have adopted the latest resilient codes or leverage insurance to offset future risk. FEMA could help curb federal reliance by increasing grant cost-share rates for states and local governments that proactively adopt resilient measures, reinforcing the importance of preparedness and long-term cost savings.

To further reduce reliance on FEMA’s resources after a disaster, local governments need help navigating the trillions of dollars in support available to them right now through recent federal programs in the American Rescue Plan Act, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and the Inflation Reduction Act. With consistent guidance from the U.S. Department of Treasury and other federal agencies, communities can strengthen infrastructure and build resilience, shifting away from emergency aid and toward lasting solutions.

Additionally, disasters do not care about politics; they hit everyone. When I was at FEMA, we managed nearly 250 major disasters in two years — a new one declared roughly every three days across the country. It is time to prioritize consistent leadership at FEMA, free from constant turnover, to help the agency meet these growing demands. And to lead effectively, FEMA needs bipartisan support and sustainable funding that reflects the real needs of our communities and the agency.

FEMA is frequently tasked by our nation’s leaders with managing crises beyond its original mission due to gaps left by other agencies and its proven incident management strengths. However, for FEMA to successfully lead in these expanded roles, it requires more consistent funding from Congress and an increased ability to address staffing gaps. This sustained support would empower FEMA to meet evolving challenges by enabling more effective crisis response and positioning the agency to handle its growing responsibilities efficiently.

The Disaster Relief Fund, FEMA’s source for providing immediate aid and recovery, is essential. Yet nearly 75 percent of its funding over the last two decades has come from unpredictable supplemental allocations from Congress in the wake of major disasters. This makes budgeting difficult and hinders both immediate response and long-term recovery from previous events. Congress should prioritize steady, reliable funding for FEMA to meet both urgent disaster needs and future preparedness.

When a disaster strikes, survivors deserve quick and easy access to help, not a mountain of paperwork. Right now, they are often required to file multiple applications across different federal agencies just to get assistance. The Disaster Assistance Simplification Act, passed by the Senate and awaiting a vote in the House, could change that. It would allow survivors to apply for help through one application and cut down on repetitive tasks during an already challenging time.

After Hurricanes Katrina (2005), Sandy (2012), and Harvey, Irma and Maria (2017), Congress took significant steps to reshape disaster response. Once again, our disaster management system needs a major, bipartisan overhaul to meet today’s demands. Our communities deserve a proactive strategy that not only addresses disasters but also prioritizes resilience, making them stronger and more prepared before the next threat emerges. With our climate driving more frequent and severe natural disasters, now is the moment for transformation. Without decisive action, the destructive cycle of disaster and recovery will only deepen. We owe it to our communities to rise to this challenge.

Brock Long is former FEMA administrator (from 2017 to 2019) and executive chair of Hagerty Consulting.