80
e COVID-19 crisis is expected to continue until at least June
1—probably longer. Congress is contemplating a fourth "stimulus"
bill, providing more money to individuals and small businesses
(and perhaps others). FEMA is also playing a large role in the
battle against the virus.
Tornado season typically peaks in June,
and hurricane season officially begins June 1.
Above-normal activity is expected for both
varieties of severe storms in 2020. If these
predictions are correct, FEMA's resources will
be stretched beyond its limits.
On March 24, the Washington Post
published an article by Nick Miroff, who
wrote, "Coronavirus could be FEMA's biggest
disaster ever, and it threatens to swamp the
agency. e coronavirus pandemic has hit the
Federal Emergency Management Agency
with the most sprawling, complex crisis it has
ever faced, a disaster that isn't knocking down
buildings or flooding streets but threatens
to swamp the government with cascading
breakdowns and supply shortages, current and
former FEMA officials say.
"President Trump has placed FEMA in
charge of coordinating the federal response
to the outbreak, and while U.S. health
authorities remain in the lead on the medical
front of dealing with the virus, FEMA has
been tasked with handling almost everything
else."
Rachael Levy, writing for the Wall Street
Journal, adds, "e Federal Emergency
Management Agency, understaffed and facing
the coming spring-flood season along with
DISASTER
RESPONSE
DURING A
CHALLENGING
SUMMER
When it comes to strategically managing natural disaster response this
year, the IRS casualty loss program may have a critical part to play.
Feature By: Mark L. Stockton
