Where the fuck is FEMA and the feds during this disaster?

[ForevrLonely29]

I toured the damage today in Erwin, TN. I saw a segment of the interstate covered with debris and mud with partial bridge collapses. I saw where the flood ate away at the hillside and the erosion. I saw a wood pile burning in the distance. I saw mostly state troopers, local law enforcement, and the volunteer fire department. I also saw local churches setting up food and water banks. But where was FEMA? Where was the military or the national guard?

I saw on the news where Mayorkas claimed FEMA was running out of money already.

This is scary people!!!

Updates

1 y

Listen, this is getting out of control. Everyone's asshole should he puckering right now and scared. This country is going down the shithole and fast.

[Massageman]

Yeah - the FEMA blew this one, as usual for the Feds. "Paralysis through analysis"- they spend so much time figuring out how to do something, nothing (or very little) ever gets done.

NPO's such as Samaritan's Purse; private pilots who have their own planes, helicopters; owners of trucks, cars, 4-wheelers, and boats; church donations; private donations; and the people themselves who trade off labor for goods, or specific skills they have for those they lack, etc. And - yes- we have heard nothing about State Guard, Seabees, National Guard, just the 1,000 Army personnel that were restationed by the Fed.

As far as "running out of money", that's an excuse. The whole country is in debt, and it's increasing, since the pols just keep kicking the can further down the road to be paid off tomorrow with dollars of decreasing value. Nothing new there.

We do have family near Knoxville, and they got a lot of rain and wind, but no damage. PTL.

This storm was a set-up for disaster. NC and eastern TN were already thoroughly soaked from days of prior rain: the ground literally could not hold any more water. There was a blocking front to the west which stopped Helene in her tracks, keeping in place pretty much centered near Asheville, dumping the water- lots of water! The Smokies acted as a giant wall that captured the counterclockwise spinning rains, the hills channeled it down creeks to the valley river towns, and either flooded them out, or wiped them out in mudslides, or both! Tornadoes were also spawned as part of the damage.

The remaining storms then went upward off the Smokies, essentially "bouncing" over the Knoxville area, and eventually "landing" again in mid-state, dumping substantially more rain there, as well. I heard that > 70 trillion gallons of water fell (I'm just repeating it and haven't had time to check) . This was enough to cover the state of NC with 3 1/2 feet of water, border to border. And this was on top of land that was already soaking wet. Total recipe for disaster that FEMA can't even comprehend, yet alone help fix.

The icing on the cake? The whole country will have higher home insurance rates to pay off all the claims from this hurricane.

At least if it happened on the coast, an aircraft carrier could be docked there and could provide 125 to 260 MEGAwatts of power and up to 200,000 gallons of fresh water per DAY to the residents through its' desalination plant.

[ForevrLonely29]

I live in Knoxville. My father lives around Johnson City. He took me on a drive today to tour the damage. It is insane. I am thinking about going to volunteer, but I have heard they are turning away volunteers despite the great need. People need to wake up fast!

[Massageman]

I hope that you and your dad are well and safe. If people have a critical skill - pilot, doctor, etc- it is more likely that they will be dispatched to areas of most need. The general public? Not so much so. Volunteers at groups such as Samaritan's Purse in NC, and IDES in Indiana, have been pre-screened for their skills, and have specific job sets that they will be doing on a pre-determined team. (I was on an IDES team a several years back, did rafter and shed assembly, and some cooking). The best thing that the gen pop can do is to pray and make some sort of donation to RECOGNIZED charities, SPECIFIC area hospitals, and even including some WISH LIST ITEMS for places such as McKamey Animal Center in Chattanooga, TN for pets that have lost owners and homes! I wish you well.

[ForevrLonely29]

I am a former EMT. Not licensed anymore. My friend is an EMT in an East TN county, and his dept never was dispatched for mutual aid. But his county is governed by a bunch of crooks anyways.

[Daniela1982]

The US also has at least 3 Hospital ships. Where in blazes are they? Not helping Americans from what I can tell from their absence at the scenes. 😡

[goaded]

@Daniela1982 Why would you sail hospital ships into a Hurricane? Also, isn't Tennessee 450 miles from the coast?

[Massageman]

@Daniela1982 The Mercy and Comfort are the two modern ships that are "officially" on duty now. Prior ships may have had the same name, but are (allegedly) not on active duty. We never know what might be hidden somewhere/someplace.

[Massageman]

There are also smaller rescue boats, supply escorts, etc. to work in conjunction with the two main ships "on duty".

[goaded]

Tennessee? Ask your governor: "Governor Bill Lee is facing questions about why a state of emergency was not declared before the remnants of Hurricane Helene reached Tennessee on Friday. Such a declaration could have enabled the pre-positioning of state emergency assets, including specialized personnel for communications and incident management.

When questioned during a press conference today about why this step wasn’t taken, Governor Lee responded: “You don’t call for an emergency until you can, until you know there is one there. So the timing of that occurred with the timing of the emergency itself.” In contrast, the governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina all issued emergency declarations a day or more in advance of the storm’s arrival."

https://www.wuot.org/news/2024-10-01/governor-lee-faces-questions-over-delayed-state-emergency-declaration-ahead-of-storm

https://www.youtube.com/embed/n78zi69WMwg

“[President Biden] just said, ‘Hey, what do you need?’ And I told him, you know, we got what we need. We will work through the federal process."
"He offered that if there’s other things we need, just to call him directly, which, I appreciate that. But we’ve had FEMA embedded with us since, you know, a day or two before the storm hit.” (This was the day before Trump claimed Kemp couldn't reach the president.)

https://www.nj.com/politics/2024/09/georgians-get-fast-hurricane-aid-from-biden-and-harris-and-its-driving-trump-crazy.html

[Red_Arrow]

No need arguing. These people don't have the intelligence to understand things like the states that followed the procedures got the aid, and they are happy with it, and that Biden offered more if they needed.

[ForevrLonely29]

@Red_Arrow I saw the clip where Biden was clueless about what disaster it was. The man was checked out. Biden is not running the show anymore. This is an absolute embarrassment to the nation. Kamalatoe should have pushed for the invocation of the 25th amendment. She is just as responsible for allowing this incompetence and should be held accountable.

[goaded]

Of course you did. Go watch some more fantasy, like Trump making sense.

[Static_In_The_Attic]

Due to overspending on the government’s behalf FEMA is unable to provide assistance however in order to raise funds FEMA has decided to set up Lemonade Stands in the disaster areas in the meantime. FEMA also announced that if you are a citizen you have to pay for the lemonade & if you are not a citizen you get the lemonade for free.

The good news is that 63.1 billion dollars was sent overseas for foreign assistance and diplomatic engagement, which includes $32 billion in foreign assistance for USAID fully- and partially-managed accounts, $3 billion.

Presidential Paper Redesign

[exitseven]

It is hard to tell if this is true or not

[goaded]

@exitseven “This is false, no money is being diverted from disaster response needs.”

www.fema.gov/.../rumor-response
"Rumor: Funding for FEMA disaster response was diverted to support international efforts or border related issues.

Fact: This is false. No money is being diverted from disaster response needs. FEMA’s disaster response efforts and individual assistance is funded through the Disaster Relief Fund, which is a dedicated fund for disaster efforts. Disaster Relief Fund money has not been diverted to other, non-disaster related efforts."

[exitseven]

@goaded It all comes out of the same money, your tax dollars. If you piss it away on illegal aliens and foreign wars we have no stake in when we get a disaster the cupboards will be bare.

[goaded]

@exitseven If it was all in the same bucket, FEMA could sell an aircraft carrier and be funded for a decade. Congress earmarks the money for different things. Only Republicans recently voted against funding FEMA disaster recovery.

North Carolina:
Representative Dan Bishop, NC 8th District
Senator Ted Budd
South Carolina:
Representative Jeff Duncan, SC 3rd District
Representative Russell Fry, SC 7th District
Representative Nancy Mace, SC 1st District
Representative Ralph Norman, SC 5th District
Representative William R. Timmons IV, SC 4th District
Senator Tim Scott
Georgia:
Representative Richard McCormick, GA 6th District
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, GA 14th District
Representative Mike Collins, GA 10th District
Representative Andrew S. Clyde, GA 9th District
Florida:
Representative Daniel Webster, FL 11th District
Representative Michael Waltz, FL 6th District
Representative Bill Posey, FL 8th District
Representative Cory Mills, FL 7th District
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, FL 13th District
Representative Laurel M. Lee, FL 15th District
Representative Matt Gaetz, FL 11th District
Representative Bryon Donalds, FL 1st District
Representative Kat Cammack, FL 3rd District
Representative Gus M. Bilirakis, FL 12th District
Representative Aaron Bean, FL 4th District
Senator Rick Scott refused to vote
Tennessee:
Representative Tim Burchett, TN 2nd District
Representative Andrew Ogles, TN 5th District
Representative John W. Rose, TN 6th District
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Senator Bill Hagerty

[exitseven]

@goaded The democrats make up names for programs they want to get funded. They are usually named the opposite of what they are. Think, "Affordable Care Act" that caused co-pays and premiums to rise. The "Inflation Reduction Act" which caused inflation to skyrocket. FEMA has a Shelter and Services program. It sounds like a program that was designed to help citizens in trouble.
It turns out this program reimburses the states and cities for illegal alien support. The democrats claim this comes out of a separate pot of money but it still comes from the FEMA budget passed by congress. The bottom line is if we did not let in 20 million illegal aliens and decide to give them free everything in return for their vote the federal government would not have to spend scarce tax dollars on things that never should have happened in the first place.
'

[Static_In_The_Attic]

@exitseven they might have a bake sale too.

[goaded]

@exitseven Skipping over the fact that the PPACA finally allowed millions of Americans to be able to afford health insurance, even if they had pre-existing conditions, yes, FEMA has a Shelter and Services program. That program was explicitly and openly to help deal with migrants, just like border states kept asking for. That money can be spent for that purpose, and that purpose only. It cannot be spent on disaster recovery, that's a separate budget item, and one that all those Republicans voted against increasing despite a literal oncoming storm.

Seriously, how often do you have to see Republicans vote against something then demand or take credit for it once it's passed?

North Carolina:
Representative Dan Bishop, NC 8th District
Senator Ted Budd
South Carolina:
Representative Jeff Duncan, SC 3rd District
Representative Russell Fry, SC 7th District
Representative Nancy Mace, SC 1st District
Representative Ralph Norman, SC 5th District
Representative William R. Timmons IV, SC 4th District
Senator Tim Scott
Georgia:
Representative Richard McCormick, GA 6th District
Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, GA 14th District
Representative Mike Collins, GA 10th District
Representative Andrew S. Clyde, GA 9th District
Florida:
Representative Daniel Webster, FL 11th District
Representative Michael Waltz, FL 6th District
Representative Bill Posey, FL 8th District
Representative Cory Mills, FL 7th District
Representative Anna Paulina Luna, FL 13th District
Representative Laurel M. Lee, FL 15th District
Representative Matt Gaetz, FL 11th District
Representative Bryon Donalds, FL 1st District
Representative Kat Cammack, FL 3rd District
Representative Gus M. Bilirakis, FL 12th District
Representative Aaron Bean, FL 4th District
Senator Rick Scott refused to vote
Tennessee:
Representative Tim Burchett, TN 2nd District
Representative Andrew Ogles, TN 5th District
Representative John W. Rose, TN 6th District
Senator Marsha Blackburn
Senator Bill Hagerty

[exitseven]

@goaded most people saw their monthly premiums go up. Obama said they would go down an average of 2800 dollars a year. I am still waiting. I saw my copays go up a lot. I refused a CAT scan once because the co pay was $200. It had gone up 10X

[exitseven]

Yes, it is very scary. there is plenty of money to spend on illegal aliens. In 2023 the federal government spent almost a half trillion dollars on illegal aliens and tens of billions on Ukraine and billions form other foreign countries that hate us. Not much left over for citizens. Imagine the insult of getting 750 dollars to rebuild your life while illegals are getting 9000 dollars a month.

[ForevrLonely29]

I know. It is disgusting.

[TadCurious]

Meanwhile the Harris-Biden administration is putting illegal aliens up in hotel rooms.

[ForevrLonely29]

Exactly. This is beyond disgusting. I am so scared for this country right now. We as citizens have to stand up and take upon the burdens the government is failing to do.

[Massageman]

Sad to say that there is actually one (commandeered motel) not too far from us. As soon as it got filled up, the restaurant there closed! I wonder why! Every week in our "police blotter", we see at least 2 or 3 thefts from the local big box hardware store and also a couple from the local mall with a couple of big name retailers. And almost every listing says the store personnel denied not to prosecute. Very sad.

[Massageman]

oops - DECIDED not to prosecute.

[exitseven]

@Massageman this is exactly what is happening less than 4 miles from my house. 2 hotels were commandeered by the state to provide housing for 1000 illegal aliens. A 15 year old girl was raped by one of them and it was not on any of the local TV stations or newspapers. i had to read about in in the NY Post

[TadCurious]

@Massageman
Thanks for the info about your area. The situation is really bad.

[Twalli]

FEMA can't provide full relief because dipshits in Congress decided that they didn't need enough money, despite hearing that they did. These dipshits include representatives from states that could really use full disaster relief. The Senate passed it and then not a single democrat in The House voted against increased funding. Matt Gaetz and Marjorie Taylor Greene from Florida and Georgia respectively decided that FEMA didn't need any more money for disaster relief. Also, FEMA is more concerned with the coastal areas that were hit the hardest. If they had enough people and resources, they'd probably be able to help in more than just the rudimentary ways, also we're in peak hurricane season so Helene won't be the last one to hit this year.

[OlderAndWiser]

The affected areas that urgently need assistance are typically strongholds for conservative voters and, if those people are not able to vote in November, it has the potential to affect the outcome of the election in states that will potentially decide the ultimate result of the national election.

[jshm2]

Nah, you're overreacting and need to wind your fucking neck in, and let the real professionals deal with it.

The governor has said they have all they need to deal with it, and they will be prioritising as required. It is their responsibility to deal with, not yours.

Everyone likes to think they are "priority" but in reality, it's the people at the top who decide what is priority.

[strateguy632]

They can borrow same as theyy do for invaders but for citizens... they won't help.

"Because america was built on racism so america deserves not get help from its government, " say the woke agenda.

[DrPepper12]

So absence of evidence is evidence of absence? C'mon man! You can't be serious!

[ForevrLonely29]

I have worked in public safety and emergency services. I toured the damage in Erwin, TN recently. I saw the interstate destroyed with fully mature trees debarked and debris everywhere. I saw the manufactured homes moved off their foundations into other properties. I saw state troopers and local law enforcement in the area. I saw churches setting up food and water banks. I didn't see troops or large scale federal presence in the area. Could they maybe be temporarily away from a hard day's of work? Maybe. But this is bad and only a small area of a larger, catastrophic area of damage.

[ForevrLonely29]

... even Mayorkas himself admitted they are running out of funds. We are still just in the beginning of hurricane season. Yet, we can fund illegal aliens and other countries. Our own citizens are hurting and vulnerable right now. This is inexcusable.

[goaded]

Hurricane season runs from 1 June to 30 November. It's much nearer the end than the beginning. How do you now know that?

[AviatorTom]

Ask Kamala, you might find her at the border, or maybe not.

[Massageman]

I could say any of several things. Too bad they might all get blipped!

[AviatorTom]

@Massageman I saw Kamala very proudly announce that the affected families in Tennessee and North Carolina will get $750 from FEMA. Maybe they should all apply for asylum, since illegal immigrants get $2400 a month, plus free housing.

[Red_Arrow]

Prove that illegal immigrants get $2400 a month, plus free housing. Or is that not true?

[Anonymous]

looking for the last two letters L and E to create FEMALE

[strateguy632]

Lol.
. i couldn't recall what is the fema meaning and is it government?
So i asked a gpt' what is fem
Autocorrect > female
then i clicked enter and got som transphobic stuff from gpt.
Before i erased le.

[noohair]

Well, this is proof that Biden is not competent to be president. WTF

[NotTacocaT6969]

Helping illegal immigrants and refugees mostly.

[OddBeMe]

Ask repubs who keep voting against it

[Anonymous]

REPORTED.

[ForevrLonely29]

Reported for what? Calling out the government's incompetence?

[nron987]

For triggering her

[ForevrLonely29]

@nron987 lol 😆

[strateguy632]

To @forevrlonely29 , content government, yup as i wrote in my mytake any criticism of democrats is "spam" and the " troll " will be punished and censored.

[DrPepper12]

Maybe she agrees and meant to say RETORTED but never got to finish the "thought" 🤔😂🤷

[shortster]

Ukraine