Recognizing the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, calling on Congress to immediately pass sufficient funding for FEMA's Disaster Relief Fund, and reaffirming the City of Philadelphia's commitment to ensuring that its disaster preparedness measures meet the challenges posed by worsening climate disasters.

Recognizing the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, calling on Congress to immediately pass sufficient funding for FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, and reaffirming the City of Philadelphia’s commitment to ensuring that its disaster preparedness measures meet the challenges posed by worsening climate disasters. WHEREAS, In late September and early October, the United States witnessed two severe hurricanes affecting the southeastern region of the country. The first of these hurricanes, Hurricane Helene, made landfall on September 24th, 2024 and left over 250 people dead, primarily in western North Carolina. The second of these devastating hurricanes, Hurricane Milton, wreaked havoc on northwestern and central Florida, which led to 22 deaths; and WHEREAS, Both hurricanes took almost unprecedented paths into regions that were almost entirely unprepared for their destruction. As climate change intensifies, these events are becoming commonplace and unprepared regions are facing unprecedented storms more and more frequently; and WHEREAS, The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administers necessary federal aid to communities affected by natural disasters, offering solutions such as temporary housing, emergency home repairs, coverage of funeral and medical expenses, and more; and WHEREAS, Because of the frequency and unique challenges of recent disasters, FEMA has spent nearly half the Disaster Relief Fund’s fiscal year budget in just over one week. This is creati…