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Disaster areas like Joplin are being told to wait their turn before receiving more federal relief funding. |
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Wrap: Due to additional natural disasters like Hurricance Irene, FEMA's funds have dipped below $1 billion and the organization must prioritize.
FEMA spokesperson Josh Deberge says that while areas with the most immediate needs, like the East Coast, will receive funding first, all disaster areas including Joplin will receive promised money.
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Description: "Basically what it means is there are permanent projects out there that were associated with disasters, that the money for those projects will likely be delayed. That does not mean that there will be a reduction of funds or that money will be taken away." |
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Disaster areas like Joplin not in need of immediate relief are taking a spot at the back of the line for federal funding. |
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Wrap: As FEMA facilitates recovery in disaster areas including eastern states affected by Hurricane Irene, FEMA officials say funds have been spread a bit too thin.
This means Joplin's tornado that hit almost three months ago doesn't meet FEMA's "immediate needs" strategy.
Joplin must wait for federal relief until FEMA can afford to make them a priority.
FEMA spokesperson Josh Deberge says the delay is temporary.
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Description: "Once that disaster relief fund is replenished, we can go back to kind of our normal operations and that's dependent on Congress and I can't really comment on any timeline for that." |
For now, relief is focused on the East. But FEMA promises recovery efforts in Joplin will not be left unfinished.
Reporting in Jefferson City, I'm Rebecca Woolf.