Fema denies fla request for Ernesto prep reimbursments

[the_winds_that_sheared_me]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't do much damage in South Florida, but it still ran up a tab.

As remnants of the storm marched up the East Coast, county and state officials were getting ready to ask the federal government to reimburse them for millions of dollars spent preparing for a powerful storm that didn't materialize.

As of Friday, however, the only payment the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned was a thank-you.

"While the state of Florida has done an outstanding job preparing for the Ernesto storm system, FEMA does not reimburse states and counties unless there has been a federally declared disaster," agency spokesman Aaron Walker said.

Full article
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ss_costs_1

[Stormcenter]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't do much damage in South Florida, but it still ran up a tab.

As remnants of the storm marched up the East Coast, county and state officials were getting ready to ask the federal government to reimburse them for millions of dollars spent preparing for a powerful storm that didn't materialize.

As of Friday, however, the only payment the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned was a thank-you.

"While the state of Florida has done an outstanding job preparing for the Ernesto storm system, FEMA does not reimburse states and counties unless there has been a federally declared disaster," agency spokesman Aaron Walker said.

Full article
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ss_costs_1

I have no problem with that.

[Pebbles]

Honestly neither do I. I believe the state should handle preps. If there's a disaster area then fed gets involved.

Edit: please, I mean no offense here. But when I lived in NC I would expect taxes (and possibly slightly higher ones) to cover the costs of this. Part of living there. As far as I know there are is no federal assistance in preparation for a major snowstorm which can also occur several times a year. It's something our local government know is likely and thus prepares for and I am sure includes in our taxes.

Now .. and I am sure some people will not be happy with this statement. I honestly don't feel I should have to flip the bill for being prepared for tropical systems anymore than the good people of Florida would want to flip the bill for the millions it costs to prepare for and deal with everything that comes with a snowstorm up here.

[JonathanBelles]

i dont' care. the state should cover it anyway.

[gatorcane]

Palm Beach County is raising taxes by over 25% - I think they can cover the costs

[the_winds_that_sheared_me]

Yes, I agree. Individuals had to pay for their own preperations and the storm went poof too. Why should the state be treated special. Be thankful the storm went poof not greedy

[jlauderdal]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't do much damage in South Florida, but it still ran up a tab.

As remnants of the storm marched up the East Coast, county and state officials were getting ready to ask the federal government to reimburse them for millions of dollars spent preparing for a powerful storm that didn't materialize.

As of Friday, however, the only payment the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned was a thank-you.

"While the state of Florida has done an outstanding job preparing for the Ernesto storm system, FEMA does not reimburse states and counties unless there has been a federally declared disaster," agency spokesman Aaron Walker said.

Full article
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ss_costs_1

Jeb needs to pickup the bat phone and get W on the line and get that cash down here. As long as they are consistent in the policy than the non-reimbursement is fine.

[gatorcane]

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't do much damage in South Florida, but it still ran up a tab.

As remnants of the storm marched up the East Coast, county and state officials were getting ready to ask the federal government to reimburse them for millions of dollars spent preparing for a powerful storm that didn't materialize.

As of Friday, however, the only payment the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned was a thank-you.

"While the state of Florida has done an outstanding job preparing for the Ernesto storm system, FEMA does not reimburse states and counties unless there has been a federally declared disaster," agency spokesman Aaron Walker said.

Full article
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ss_costs_1

Jeb needs to pickup the bat phone and get W on the line and get that cash down here. As long as they are consistent in the policy than the non-reimbursement is fine.

I disagree, where the heck is all of our tax money going....do you know what is on the way for us? Check it out:

Palm Beach major tax raises coming soon:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/re ... -headlines

Broward major tax raises coming soon:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/re ... -headlines

[SeaBrz_FL]

Floridians -- Please remember we are one of just a handful of states not donating another 10% or more to STATE INCOME TAX! (Shhhhh!)

We have to proudly bear Ernesto's on our own (because we choose to live here), and pray that national help isn't needed in the future.

Gatorcane -- your links are for local city/county tax increases and have nothing to do with FEMA relief (federal).

SB

[gatorcane]

Floridians -- Please remember we are one of just a handful of states not donating another 10% or more to STATE INCOME TAX! (Shhhhh!)

We have to proudly bear Ernesto's on our own (because we choose to live here), and pray that national help isn't needed in the future.

Gatorcane -- your links are for local city/county tax increases and have nothing to do with FEMA relief (federal).

SB

But the point is that the local city/counties should not be asking for Fema to reimburse them at this point - they should pay for the cost with the extra tax money that they are getting.

The kind of tax hike we are seeing here are not even close to what you are seeing up there in that part of the state...

The point of FEMA is to step in during AN EMERGENCY and Ernesto, although gave a threat, never came to fruition - so I agree with FEMA here.

[SeaBrz_FL]

But the point is that the local city/counties should not be asking for Fema to reimburse them at this point - they should pay for the cost with the extra tax money that they are getting.

The kind of tax hike we are seeing here are not even close to what you are seeing up there in that part of the state...

The point of FEMA is to step in during AN EMERGENCY and Ernesto, although gave a threat, never came to fruition - so I agree with FEMA here.

So sorry, I totally misread your response, and I agree with you 100%!

SB

[jabber]

Good

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. - Tropical Storm Ernesto didn't do much damage in South Florida, but it still ran up a tab.

As remnants of the storm marched up the East Coast, county and state officials were getting ready to ask the federal government to reimburse them for millions of dollars spent preparing for a powerful storm that didn't materialize.

As of Friday, however, the only payment the Federal Emergency Management Agency planned was a thank-you.

"While the state of Florida has done an outstanding job preparing for the Ernesto storm system, FEMA does not reimburse states and counties unless there has been a federally declared disaster," agency spokesman Aaron Walker said.

Full article
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u ... ss_costs_1

[NFLDART]

I agree with that decision utilize that funding where it is needed

[Bailey1777]

Money for nothing. Gotta agree with the Fed's here.

[skufful]

Yes, I agree too.

I want FEMA to hold on to as much money as possible, so when a hurricane strikes my area and destroys my house, and I don't (choose not to) have flood insurance, they will buy me a new house.

Never Happen, as we all have flood insurance!!!!!!!!!

[Scott_inVA]

No problem with FEMA's decision form here. Now, I'd like them to reimburse the GAO for the 1 Billion they wasted post-Katrina. Then I'd think about changing my mind about FEMA. Till then...no quarter is given.

Scott