Natural Disasters

Today's News about Natural Disasters

Missouri Delegation Urges President Trump to Support Disaster Declaration for Areas Impacted by Severe Flooding
Source: Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO, 5th)
April 24, 2019
“The severity and magnitude of the flooding has caused several communities to be evacuated and has resulted in the destruction of homes, farms, and businesses,” the delegation wrote. “We respectfully request your prompt action to ensure that these communities receive the immediate support needed to respond to the disaster. Along with our fellow Missourians, we appreciate your attention to this request and stand ready to assist in any way possible.”

Read more...

Texas Governor Acts to Further Help Hurricane Harvey Victims

Washington, D.C. - October 12, 2018 - (The Ponder News) -- On October 5, 2018, President Trump signed H.R. 302, the Federal Aviation Reauthorization Act of 2018 & the Disaster Recovery Reform Act, into law. This legislation allows the Governor of a disaster-impacted state to request a waiver of the general prohibition on duplication of benefits in the Stafford Act that prohibits individuals from receiving Housing and Urban Development grant funding if they accepted a Small Business Administration loan.

The Disaster Recovery Reform Act includes a legislative fix that Congressman Culberson spearheaded in the House-passed version of the disaster relief bill. This provision allowed Governor Greg Abbott to request a waiver so that Harvey survivors who took out Small Business Administration loans to repair their homes will no longer be prohibited from using Housing and Urban Development grant funding to repay these loans later.

On October 5, 2018, Congressman John Culberson (R-TX, 7th) sent a letter to Governor Abbott urging him to immediately request the Duplication of Benefits waiver.

Congressman Culberson, Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, and Science (CJS), released the following statement after Governor Abbott submitted a request to waive the current ban on duplication of benefits that prevents those who accepted a Small Business Administration (SBA) loan from receiving Housing and Urban Development (HUD) grant funding later.

“I thank Governor Abbott for swiftly acting on my request to submit this waiver to help the many Harvey survivors that are still recovering from last year’s storm. We’ve worked closely together to bring relief dollars back to Texas, and today’s waiver request brings us one step closer to resolving the ban that unfairly prevents homeowners who accepted an SBA loan to rebuild their homes from receiving HUD grant funding later.

“I urge the President to grant this waiver as soon as possible so that homeowners have access to funds that allow them to rebuild.”

Bishop Statement on Hurricane Maria’s Impact on Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands

Source: House Committee on Natural Resources

Washington, D.C. - September 22, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop (R-UT) issued the following statement on Hurricane Maria’s impact on the territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands:

"The residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico have been devastated by Hurricane Maria, a storm that took human lives and left millions without power, water and stable infrastructure. This is the most unfortunate circumstances that both of these U.S. territories could possibly face given the recent devastation of Hurricane Irma. I, along with all of our committee members, pray for all those impacted.

“I have spoken with Resident Commissioner Gonzalez on the extent of the damage, as well as plans for relief, and will be working with Delegate Plaskett on a similar plan of action. Together, we will advocate for the full support of the federal government. Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are in dire need of our assistance and we will do everything in our power to ensure that all necessary resources are made available.

“As Americans, both in the mainland and throughout all of our territories, we are all in this together."