GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner GoPo Lessons Jonathan Milner

How much are natural disasters going to cost the U.S. this year?

Critical Analysis

Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:

  1. The death toll from this week’s catastrophic Hurricane Helene has already topped 100, with the Associated Press reporting that this number is certain to rise. Damage estimates from Hurricane Helene range between $95 billion and $110 billion, potentially making this one of the most expensive storms in modern U.S. history, said chief meteorologist Jonathan Porter of AccuWeather, a commercial forecasting company. Based on the visual above, how many billion-dollar climate disasters did the United States have in the 1980s?

  2. Describe one trend you see in the visual above.

  3. The federal Government’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 2023 Billion-dollar disaster report confirms a historic year in the number of costly disasters and extremes throughout much of the country. There were 28 weather and climate disasters in 2023, surpassing the previous record of 22 in 2020, tallying a price tag of at least $92.9 billion. What do you think explains this trend of the growing expense of natural disasters?

  4. Based on the fact of our growing coastal population (see map below*), rising sea-levels, and accelerated climate change. Predict what the visual above will look like for the 2020s.

  5. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) employs more than 20,000 people nationwide. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., FEMA has 10 regional offices located across the country. FEMA is currently at work in Florida, North Carolina, and all the states impacted by Hurricane Helene. FEMA leverages a tremendous capacity to coordinate within the federal government to make sure America is equipped to prepare for and respond to disasters. FEMA was officially created in 1979 through an executive order by then President Jimmy Carter. Under Article II of the Constitution, the President is responsible for the execution and enforcement of the laws created by Congress. Fifteen executive departments — each led by an appointed member of the President’s Cabinet — carry out the day-to-day administration of the federal government. Why did the Framers of the U.S, Constitution neglect to set up programs like FEMA when they established our Constitution in 1787?

  6. The U.S. Constitution say absolutely nothing about FEMA. Explain how the Constitution allows the government to create agencies like FEMA?

  7. Because of the increasing threat of climate change, many Americans - not only those on the coasts - are susceptible to natural disasters. Explain how much involvement you believe the federal government should have in providing disaster relief.

  8. The Department of Homeland Security includes the Secret Service, Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Transportation Security Administration (those nice folks at the airport), Coast Guard, and FEMA. The budget for FEMA in FY2022 is 90.8$ billion. Based on the visual below* and this report, which of these agencies within FEMA has the biggest budget?*

  9. The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act authorizes the President to issue declarations that provide states, tribes, and localities with a range of federal assistance in response to natural and man-made incidents. Since 1953 the frequency of declarations has increased. For example, the average number of major disaster declarations issued from 1960 to 1969 was roughly 18.6 per year. In contrast, the average number of major disaster declarations issued from 2000 to 2009 was 57.1 per year. Climate change increases the likelihood of billion dollar disasters. How much do you predict U.S. federal government disaster spending will increase, and how will this increased disaster spending impact spending on other government programs?

  10. Federalism is a system of government in which the same territory is controlled by two levels of government. Generally, an overarching national government is responsible for broader governance of larger territorial areas, while the smaller subdivisions, states, and cities govern the issues of local concern. How do national disasters like Hurricane Idalia, the Maui wildfires, and the recent effects of Hurricane Helene in different states across the country illustrate the concept of federalism?

Write and Discuss

Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.

Act on your Learning

If you would like to directly help the people impacted by this hurricane please connect with the organizations listed below.

American Red Cross

The Red Cross offers food, shelter, supplies, and emotional support to victims of crisis. It already has hundreds of workers and volunteers in Florida and has opened dozens of shelters for evacuees across the south. You can contribute to the national group's Helene relief efforts. People can also text the word HELENE to 90999 to make a donation. Individuals in unaffected areas are being asked to donate blood and platelets now to help ensure patients continue to have access to lifesaving blood.

World Central Kitchen

When there is a disaster, Chef José Andrés is there with his teams to set up kitchen facilities and start serving thousands of meals to victims and responders. You can help by donating on their website. World Central Kitchen has already set up a massive feeding operation in Asheville, NC. Chef Andrés is on site and delivering food. My wife owns and operates three bakery-cafes, so our hearts are with World Central Kitchen.

All Hands and Hearts

This volunteer-based organization works alongside local residents to help by rebuilding schools, homes and other community infrastructure. It has a Helene fund started. They have already deployed teams to NC and FL and have launched a 12-month response to Helene. This group builds back better and is a great organization for those concerned about the long-term health of of schools.

Get Creative

Many people in Hurricane Helene’s path of destruction still are without power, cell service, and water. Think about what it would be like to be stuck in the aftermath of a storm like this.

Learning Extension*

So far all the years of the 2020s have set records for weather and climate disasters. Read the government’s report on climate change and weather disasters.

 
 

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