President Trump issued a major disaster declaration for Hawaii following the devastating Kona-low storms, with federal funding now available to residents across three counties impacted by severe storms, flooding, landslides, and mudslides between March 10-24, 2026. The Kihei Kai Oceanfront Condos on Maui suffered damage in the first Kona-low storm and then sustained further damage from the second storm

FEMA greenlit Individual Assistance money for 29 counties in West Tennessee affected by Winter Storm Fern. Hardin County EMA told 39 News how residents can receive money to recover, noting that some community members had been in urgent need of assistance but had been unable to access it until federal disaster status was formally opened.

The Trump administration approved major disaster declaration requests for at least seven states this week, according to information released Saturday by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, allowing affected communities to access federal support. About 15 requests for assistance from other states and tribes for extreme weather events this year and last seem to be pending, along with three appeals of previous denials.

FEMA announced that President Donald J. Trump made additional federal assistance available to disaster survivors to aid in their recovery from the severe winter storm that occurred from January 22-27, 2026. The President's action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Benton, Carroll, Cheatham, Chester, Clay, Davidson, Decatur, Dickson, Dyer, Fayette, and additional counties.

FEMA announced that federal disaster assistance is available to the state of Oregon to supplement recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides, and mudslides from December 15–21, 2025. Public Assistance federal funding is available to the state, tribal and eligible local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations on a cost-sharing basis.

States say disaster funding from FEMA has slowed to a trickle under the Trump administration, delaying projects to protect communities from wildfires and hurricanes. Placerville, California — one of hundreds of communities waiting on a backlog at FEMA — bears all the markers of a community at risk of wildfire, with rolling hillsides dense with brush and older wood-frame homes, yet sits exposed while mitigation project funding remains frozen.

More than 18 months after Hurricane Helene carved a path of destruction through western North Carolina, the state's long-term recovery program is delivering completed homes to survivors and preparing to launch a $193.5 million infrastructure grant competition — the largest investment yet in the region's rebuilding effort.

Newly obtained documents reveal why Missouri's tornado cleanup has dragged on for so long, pointing to a combination of FEMA reimbursement disputes, bureaucratic bottlenecks, and slow contractor processes. The reporting draws on the same trove of records as the St. Louis Public Radio investigation, offering a broader statewide picture of the recovery failures.

Michigan's congressional delegation is coming together, pushing for federal help for southwest Michigan after last month's deadly tornadoes. Democratic Senators Gary Peters and Elissa Slotkin and Republican Representatives Tim Walberg and Bill Huizenga are all backing Governor Gretchen Whitmer's request to President Donald Trump for federal disaster aid. The aid would go to Branch, Cass, and Saint Joseph counties — hit hardest by the deadliest tornado outbreak in Michigan in 50 years.

A long-promised rebuilding report meant to guide recovery efforts in Pacific Palisades following last year’s devastating wildfire has still not been released, months after its expected completion date, raising concerns among residents trying to rebuild.

Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin rescinded a rule that required DHS approval for all expenditures over $100,000, a move widely seen as a significant step toward unblocking stalled FEMA disaster relief efforts. The rule had been a major bottleneck slowing the flow of aid to disaster-affected communities across the country.

The state of Hawaii is still waiting on federal assistance nearly two weeks after the second Kona Low caused widespread devastation. Gov. Josh Green submitted a request for a Presidential Disaster Declaration eight days ago, on March 23, and as of Tuesday his office said they have yet to hear back on its status. If approved, it would unlock FEMA support including funding for debris removal, hazard mitigation, infrastructure repairs, and individual assistance.

Little Rock Mayor Frank Scott Jr. marked the third anniversary of the EF-3 tornado that devastated parts of the city, noting that while significant progress has been made, recovery efforts are still ongoing in some neighborhoods. Housing assistance programs, repairs, and reconstruction continue for residents who lost their homes or sustained major damage in the storm.

The Trump administration has delayed billions of dollars for projects to protect Americans from floods, wildfires, and hurricanes, leaving local leaders increasingly anxious. Rural communities across the country — including in Pennsylvania — are warning that without federal mitigation funding, they are dangerously exposed to the next major storm or disaster.

Clean up efforts in the Union City area are entering their third week following the deadly March 6 tornado. As costs continue to mount for both the county and property owners, Branch County Administrator Frank Walsh says he doesn't believe the totality of the damage will qualify for funding from FEMA, unlike areas in Northern Michigan hit by last year's severe ice storm. Walsh does say emergency relief funding from the state is possible, but will take time.https://wtvbam.com/2026/03/27/branch-county-officials-not-expecting-fema-funding-as-tornado-clean-up-enters-third-week/

The Federal Emergency Management Agency on Wednesday opened applications for a major resilience grant program that the agency canceled last year, less than three weeks after a federal judge ordered FEMA to make the funding available. FEMA will make $1 billion available for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program, which helps states, local governments, territories and tribes take on preparedness projects to harden against natural hazards like fires, floods, earthquakes and hurricanes. "When done correctly, mitigation activities save lives and reduce the cost of future disasters," said Karen S. Evans, FEMA's acting leader.

Pleasant Hill residents have one month left for rebuilding assistance after an EF-2 tornado tore through the community back in 2024, leaving widespread damage. The disaster declaration tied to the storm is set to end at the end of April, and local officials are urging remaining affected households to take advantage of the aid while it is still available.

Springfield-based Convoy of Hope has completed its relief work in Michigan and is now responding to tornado damage in Indiana and Illinois, where two people were killed. Convoy of Hope's work in Michigan wrapped up as the state increased support in areas hit by four tornadoes earlier this month — storms that destroyed dozens of homes and businesses and killed four people. "It really is neighbor helping neighbor," said Ethan Forhetz of Convoy of Hope.

U.S. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin issued a proposal to harmonize existing Clean Air Act regulations and cut red tape for incinerators to help state, local, and Tribal governments prevent and respond to natural disasters. EPA's proposal, if finalized, will end decades of confusion surrounding CAA regulations and permits for incinerators, especially regarding how and when they can be utilized for debris cleanup following natural disasters.

Multiple state and federal leaders got a better look at the widespread March 6th tornado damage in Southwest Michigan after taking a tour through the affected counties. The visit signals growing pressure on the federal government to issue a major disaster declaration that would unlock critical relief funding for devastated communities.