President Donald Trump has approved federal disaster aid for six states and tribes Storms and floods It happened this spring and summer.
The disaster declaration released Thursday allows federal funds to flow to tribes in Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and Montana and South Dakota. In each case except Wisconsin, it took more than a month to approve a request for assistance from a local official. Associated Press Analysis.
Trump has now approved more than 30 major natural disaster declarations since taking office in January. Before the latest batch, his approval waited an average of 34 days from the time relief was requested. As for his latest declaration, the wait ranged only 15 days after the request for assistance in the Wisconsin floods in August, after the Tribe’s request for Montana Flood in May.
AP analysis showed that Delay in approval of federal disaster aid It has grown over time, regardless of parties in power. On average, it took less than two weeks for the request to declare a presidential disaster in the 1990s and early 2000s. It has increased to about three weeks under both presidents over the past decade. During Trump’s first term, he took an average of 24 days to approve the request.
White House spokesman Abigail Jackson told the Associated Press that Trump “provides a more thorough review of the disaster declaration requests than the administration has before him.”
However, delays mean that individuals will have to wait for federal assistance for daily living expenses, temporary accommodation and repairs to their home. Delays in the disaster declaration could also hinder recovery efforts by local officials, making it unclear whether they will receive a federal rebate for cleaning debris and rebuilding infrastructure.
Trump’s latest declaration approved public support for local governments and nonprofits in all cases except Wisconsin, where individual assistance was approved. But that doesn’t prevent the federal government from later recognizing Wisconsin’s public assistance.
A preliminary estimate from Democrat Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers said more than 1,500 housing structures were destroyed or suffered major damage. August Flood It costs over $33 million. Six counties also suffered more than $43 million in public sector damage, according to Evers Administration.
Evers asked residents of six counties for assistance, but Trump approved only three.
“I will continue to urge the Trump administration to approve the rest of my requests, and Wisconsin will continue to fight to receive all the resources needed and available,” Evers said in a statement thanking Democrat office holders for their efforts, but thanking Trump and Republicans.
Trump has issued several of his disaster declarations, including Wisconsin on his social media site, highlighting their Republican officials, noting his victory in those states. He thanked North Carolina Democrat Gov. Josh Stein and other Republican officials.
Trump’s approval of six major disaster declarations in a day was unusual for some presidents, but for him. Trump approved seven disaster requests on July 22nd, and nine disaster requests on May 21st.
But Trump has not approved requests for Hazard Mitigation Assistance, a classic add-on from the past that will help recipients return resiliently since February.
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Associated Press authors Gabriela Aoun Angueira, Scott Bauer, Jack Dura and Gary D. Robertson contributed to this report.
