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Red Tape Snags FEMA’s Flood Response in Texas
As floodwaters ravaged central Texas last week, FEMA officials encountered bureaucratic hurdles that delayed crucial aid, according to agency insiders. A new rule requiring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s personal approval for expenditures over $100,000 created a bottleneck, even for relatively small expenses in the context of disaster relief.
This new protocol effectively stripped FEMA of its autonomy during a critical time. One veteran FEMA official noted the shift from a proactive approach to a more hesitant one, impacting their ability to pre-position resources. For instance, specialized Urban Search and Rescue teams couldn’t be deployed until Noem gave the green light – more than three days after the flooding began.
Homeland Security officials defend the federal response, emphasizing the utilization of other DHS resources like the Coast Guard and Customs and Border Protection. They also highlight Texas’s robust emergency management capabilities.
A DHS spokeswoman stated that Noem’s approval was not initially required and that subsequent requests for FEMA resources were granted. She described the new system as a move towards a “lean, deployable disaster force” that empowers states.
However, the added layer of bureaucracy at FEMA caused delays when time was of the essence. Securing aerial imagery and staffing a disaster call center required Noem’s approval, slowing down these critical processes. FEMA officials express concern about the agency’s responsiveness under the new system, particularly if a disaster were to impact a wider area.
This incident comes amid concerns about FEMA’s preparedness, including staff departures and the potential dismantling of the agency. The relatively small number of FEMA personnel initially deployed to Texas raised eyebrows within the agency. Secretary Noem’s limited delegation of authority to acting FEMA Administrator David Richardson, who has yet to visit Texas, has also drawn attention.
While Texas managed the initial stages of the disaster largely with state and local resources, the delay in federal assistance raises questions about the Trump administration’s vision for disaster response, which emphasizes state responsibility. This model has come under scrutiny as the death toll continues to rise and the number of missing remains high. The situation in Texas underscores the challenges of balancing bureaucratic oversight with the need for rapid response in times of crisis.