NEW YORK — New York and New Jersey homeowners hit hard by Hurricane Sandy are receiving an unusually generous array of federal financial assistance, even as some safeguards were initially relaxed to speed distribution.
The moves testify to the clout of the region’s congressional delegation and the push by federal authorities in Washington to avoid criticisms about unresponsiveness that emerged in the aftermath of other major disasters.
Comments
was it a hurricane?
http://rogerpielkejr.blogspot.com/2012/12/science-politics-and-hurricane.html
The FEMA pendulum has indeed swung...coming from the travesty and injustices of those still reeling from the devastation of Katrina, 7 years later. Victims all...Katrina, Gloria, Irene, Sandy...and, according to weather experts, this will be the new norm of climate change. No one could begrudge victims for accepting FEMAs help that is desperately needed, especially having been hit by a second punch of a snowstorm with no shelter, heat, walls, etc. FEMA's swift action is commendable. However, the praise stops there...Although refreshing that the funds actually are going to victims as intended, FEMA administrators have adopted a policy that unfairly burdens a few to foot the nations bill for weather patters of climate change that are becoming the new norm! FEMA is likely feeling financially stable these days with the new policy that ensures a new stream of revenue. FEMA rolled out new flood maps recently and they come with both a heavy hand to those property owners who suddenly find they are subject to high-cost flood insurance policies. Communities throughout the nation have received terms from FEMA that they accept the flood maps or else..."else" meaning no emergency relief funds would be dispensed to any community that did not accept/adopt (?) the new flood maps, essentially bringing a wave of "rubber-stamped" approvals throughout the nation. Communities were bullied. Few realized what financial hardship this would bring to businesses and citizens who were suddenly deemed, in a flood-zone. The wave of approval brought havoc to already stressed property owners. Banks were swift to serve up their mortgagees to FEMA by assisting in, what is best described as an extortion of funds by "force-placing" flood insurance at the inflated price (typical flood insurance can be purchased by those "not" in a flood zone at a relatively low annual rate) as without warning, food insurance policy would be mandatory at thousands of dollars annually for those deemed "in a flood zone". The actions was swift. Banks seized the opportunity to serve up their mortgagee customers rather than protecting them by challenging FEMA...and in many cases tacked additional fees on to the customer. ( This was opportunistic of the banks, partnering in yet another financial scheme of the wealthy on the backs of the 99%. ) FEMA underwrites every single flood insurance policy in the country. Many of the homes deemed "in a flood zone" are in above the base elevation and can appeal and can win the appeal. But the burden is suddenly on the homeowner. Many of the subject properties are not, historically subject to flooding. FEMA provides support for filing an appeal with a web-based tool and toll-free number. Despite this, it is a difficult and frustrating process, often taking several months to complete with no certainty of winning an appeal. The average homeowner will spend thousands of dollars for professional help of surveyers/engineers to complete the LOMA application. So, back to Hurricane Sandy and the "generous" boost from FEMA"...big government is still not getting it right, motivated by criticism of their peers in Washington, rather than understanding the pain "of the people" caused by policy that is not tied to the common good. See: http://everydaytipsandthoughts.com/according-to-fema-my-house-is-suddenly-in-a-flood-zone/ Sorry for the long post but this is not how to fix an ailing country!
What about the oversight of these massive funds? It's a feeding frenzy. Can't wait to hear about the thousands of cases of waste and fraud that will materialize out of this. What ever happened to just providing low interest loans?
Rsox - there are already reports on all the earmarks in the aid relief going to other things.....
"Never let a Tragedy go to Waste" quote from Rahm Emmanuel.
How is it that FEMA can be so generous? You be the judge. Just hope you don't go to the mailbox and find that you have been "force-placed" in a flood zone you too will be subsidizing the next recovery. It matters not if you are or if you are not in the flood zone, it will cost you plenty to prove otherwise.
See: http://everydaytipsandthoughts.com/according-to-fema-my-house-is-suddenly-in-a-flood-zone/