Democrats want briefing on how FEMA will manage natural disasters amid pandemic

House Democrats are pressing for answers on the government’s readiness to manage natural disasters amid the coronavirus pandemic.

In a letter on Monday to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor, lawmakers on the House Oversight and Reform Committee expressed concern that the agency “may not have the staff and other essential tools to successfully respond to multiple natural disasters during the ongoing coronavirus crisis.” 

The Democrats asked for a remote video hearing on FEMA’s plans on topics including how it will maintain social distancing if there is a need for mass evacuations and temporary shelters and how it plans to keep staff healthy. 

“Aside from guidance released by FEMA largely focused on recommendations to state, local, tribal, and territorial governments for hurricane season preparations, FEMA has not made public its plans for preparing for and responding to multiple natural disasters in the coming months, including overcoming limitations on resources,” the lawmakers wrote. 

“This information is vital to prepare for high-intensity natural disasters that may include tornadoes, flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires,” they added. 

Gaynor is slated to testify before the Senate on Tuesday in a hearing titled “Evaluating the Federal Government’s Procurement and Distribution Strategies in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic.”

FEMA in May released a guidance saying that because of COVID-19 associated risks, occupancy rates at temporary shelters “will be adjusted” and said that other places such as hotels and motels could be used instead. 

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted that this Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1, could have 10 hurricanes, including six major storms. 

In a separate but related incident, thousands in Michigan were forced to evacuate last month after two dams burst.

–This report was updated at 3:47 p.m.