In brief
Following significant storms and floods this spring and summer, President Trump has approved federal disaster declarations for six states and tribes. The delay in approvals has raised concerns about timely assistance for affected individuals and local governments, with the average wait time now extending beyond a month.
President Donald Trump has authorized federal disaster aid for Kansas, North Carolina, North Dakota, Wisconsin, and tribal territories in Montana and South Dakota, following severe storms and flooding earlier this year. The announcement was made on Thursday and is part of the administration’s response to local officials' requests for assistance.Despite the approval, the response time for these aids has been under scrutiny. Trump took more than a month in most cases to approve the aid requests, exemplifying a concerning trend regarding the increasing wait times for disaster relief. An Associated Press analysis previously indicated that, on average, requests for presidential disaster declarations during the 1990s were granted in less than two weeks; however, this time frame has extended to 34 days on average during Trump's presidency.Trump has now approved over 30 major disaster declarations since taking office, with the latest approvals ranging from just 15 days for Wisconsin's flooding earlier in August to an extended wait of 56 days for a tribal request related to flooding that occurred in May.White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson justified the delays by stating that Trump is conducting “a more thorough review of disaster declaration requests than any Administration has before him,” ensuring federal funds are allocated responsibly. However, lingering delays present challenges for individuals reliant on federal aid for daily needs, temporary accommodation, and repairs to their homes. Furthermore, locals rely on timely aid to begin cleanup efforts and start reconstructing damaged infrastructure, as uncertainty remains regarding federal reimbursement.The recent disaster declarations include public assistance for local governments and nonprofits in most states, while individual assistance has only been approved so far for Wisconsin, leaving the door open for potential aid to other states in the future.
