News
As Hurricane Idalia Churns Toward Florida, Efforts to Refill Federal Disaster Aid Stall
The Disaster Relief Fund, which allocates billions of federal dollars to disaster recovery efforts, is set to run out of money this fall if Congress can’t come to an agreement on how to replenish it.
By Kristoffer Tigue
Florida is bracing for yet another major storm in the span of a year as rapidly intensifying Hurricane Idalia, which is expected to hit the state’s western coast Wednesday at Category 3 strength, churns through abnormally warm Gulf Coast waters. The storm is just the latest extreme weather event this summer to draw attention to the nearly depleted federal disaster relief fund as rising global carbon emissions drive record-setting natural disasters.
Related Knowledge Center: Climate: water resources
State of Play
Extreme weather and prolonged drought in some regions are affecting electricity generation — notably hydroelectric and nuclear power.