In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene’s devastation, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized the importance of FEMA’s support and improvement efforts.
She acknowledged the frustrations with the agency’s bureaucratic processes, but reassured the public that FEMA is working to address the challenges, including resolving 80% of the outstanding cases since the storm.
While President Trump has hinted at eliminating FEMA, Noem expressed her commitment to modernizing the agency alongside Trump’s efforts, suggesting that future disaster response will be faster and more efficient.
This comes as thousands in North Carolina remain displaced, with FEMA providing housing, rental assistance, and other critical aid.
Trump’s controversial statements about FEMA’s effectiveness, particularly his push to give states more direct control, contrast with Noem’s assurances that FEMA will be part of the solution moving forward.
The situation highlights the ongoing debate about the federal government’s role in disaster relief and whether FEMA should be restructured or even replaced.