The situation inside FEMA’s disaster recovery centers in Florida highlights the agency’s stretched resources as Hurricane Milton bears down on the state. After responding to Hurricane Helene and Tropical Storm Debby, FEMA is facing unprecedented pressure with only 9% of its staff available to manage new emergencies. This shortage of personnel reflects the increased frequency and severity of disasters, driven in part by climate change, which has intensified hurricanes and other natural disasters across the U.S.

The impact of these consecutive storms is particularly evident in Florida, where more than 120,000 people have applied for FEMA aid following Hurricane Helene, and the agency has already distributed around $50 million in assistance. However, with Hurricane Milton fast approaching and wind speeds reaching 175 mph, FEMA’s remaining personnel are being redeployed, many moving to Orlando as the storm targets Tampa and the Gulf Coast. Forecasters from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) say hurricane Milton will be  “potentially catastrophic.”

FEMA’s challenges are further complicated by a nationwide staffing shortage and burnout from sustained disaster activity, as well as limited funding. In the past year, FEMA has had to deal with over 100 major disaster declarations, ranging from hurricanes to wildfires, and its staffing reserves are now critically low. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has pointed out that 35% of FEMA’s positions remain unfilled, exacerbating the strain on the agency during this active hurricane season.

FEMA is not only battling immediate disaster relief efforts but also faces political and funding obstacles. Although President Biden approved emergency declarations for Florida’s counties in Hurricane Milton’s path, FEMA may need to ask Congress for additional funding to continue its operations through the remainder of the hurricane season. As of now, agency officials insist that FEMA is equipped to handle the crisis but acknowledge the need for more personnel and resources.

The escalating disaster response situation underscores the growing pressure on FEMA and the need for long-term solutions, including increasing staff levels and securing sustainable funding to cope with the intensifying impact of climate-related disasters.