Understanding FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Administration)

When you live through wildfires in California, flooding in Texas, tornadoes in Kansas... and you witness whole communities destroyed, you start to realize how crucial FEMA is. Created by president Jimmy Carter in 1979, FEMA is one of the smarted executive orders issued by a president, but it's billion dollar budget runs out every fiscal year! 

In the midst of raging wildfires of California, we reflect on this episode recorded in November 2024. Bruce intuitively talks about wildfire emergency responses, the damages he has witnessed, and the common sense support FEMA needs to respond to American disasters.  

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ABOUT COMMON SENSE:
Thomas Paine's Common Sense argues that concentrated political power, whether in a monarchy or elite class, is unjust and undermines democracy. He advocates for a government accountable to the people, emphasizing transparency, representation, and checks on power. Citizens have the right and responsibility to challenge unjust government actions, making the case for a more participatory, responsive democracy.

ABOUT BRUCE:
Bruce Rutherford is a history lover and political commentator influenced by the writings of Thomas Paine, Milton and Rose Friedman, and other integral thought-leaders. From riches, to rags, and finally towards self-reliance, Rutherford brings passion and empathy to a bipartisan audience, and encourages an environment where we can discuss the ideas that shape our nation.

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Transcript


Welcome Patriots to this episode of Common Sense for America.

I am Bruce Rutherford your host and commentator and, as usual, we are filming today at the beautiful Westwood Golf Club in Houston Texas.


You know, living here in Houston gives me a unique perspective on what we're discussing today - FEMA's crucial role in responding to American disasters. I've lived through multiple hurricanes here in Houston, including Harvey in 2017.

Let me tell you, when you're watching 51 inches of rain fall in a matter of days - a National Weather Service record for a single storm - you understand just how critical emergency response becomes. I remember standing on this very golf course after Harvey, looking at water where our fairways used to be, wondering if our community would ever be the same.


According to FEMA's own records, Harvey caused $125 billion in damage, matching Katrina as the costliest hurricane in U.S. history. But what really matters isn't the dollars - it's the 204,000 homes damaged and the 39,000 people forced out of their homes right here in our community.


Let me take you back to where this all began. In 1802, when a massive fire nearly destroyed Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Congress had to vote individually just to suspend bond payments so merchants and Portsmouth could rebuild. For the next 177 years, every disaster required a separate Congressional action. Imagine that today - Congress voting on each individual disaster response. How many of you think that would work in today's political climate? It would be a disaster.


Everything changed in 1979 when President Carter created FEMA. But let me tell you, as someone who's seen FEMA's evolution firsthand here in Texas, the challenges they face today are unprecedented.


According to FEMA's current budget data, they're operating with just under $30 billion annually. That might sound like a lot, but let me put it in perspective for you. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration tells us that we're now averaging fourteen major storm systems each year, with three to four becoming major hurricanes. Right here in Houston, we've seen three 500-year floods in just the past eight years. Think about that - events that should happen once every 500 years are now happening almost annually.


But here's what really keeps me up at night. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 75% of our flood plain maps are outdated, and 40% of flood plains aren't even mapped, at all! Right here in Harris County, where I'm sitting, we've had to completely redraw our flood maps three times since I've lived here. Areas that were once considered safe are now in high-risk zones.


Look at our infrastructure - our storm water systems were built to last 75 to 100 years. The American Society of Civil Engineers tells us the average age of these systems today is 75 years. Let that sink in. We're using infrastructure that has reached its designed life expectancy, and we're asking it to handle more than it was ever designed to manage.

Here in Houston and in city council meeting across the country, FEMA and the Army Corps of Engineers have proposed expanded flood maps. How did politicians respond? Local politicians pushed back hard. Why? Because the updated flood maps mean higher insurance premiums for voters. But let me tell you what happened here during Harvey - some of the worst flooding occurred in areas that weren't even considered flood zones.


Now, living in Houston, some of us might think wildfires are just a West Coast problem. But that's not true, let me tell you about September 2011, when I watched smoke from the Tri-County Fire, here in Texas, one of the most devastating fires in Texas history, darken our skies in Houston. According to the Texas A&M Forest Service, that fire burned through almost 20,000 acres and destroyed 76 homes. And we weren't even in a major fire zone.


The National Interagency Fire Center tells us wildfires are increasing in intensity even as their number is falling. Here's why: More people are living in what are call Wildland Urban Interface, or WUI areas. In fact, since 2000, the U.S. Forest Service reports that these WUI areas have expanded by more than 46%.


And let's talk about our power grid. Patriots, I and every other Texan have lived through the 2021 Texas freeze. According to ERCOT data, we came within four minutes and thirty-seven seconds of a complete grid collapse that could have left Texas without power for months. The official death toll from that freeze 246 people, but more comprehensive analyses suggest it was likely closer to 700.


While we don't worry much about earthquakes here in Texas, FEMA has to be ready for everything. The U.S. Geological Survey tells us that ten western states face major earthquake risks, with a 75% chance of a major quake hitting California in the next 30 years. So again, a concentration of earthquakes in ten western states - California being the one most in danger. Imagine trying to budget for something that could happen tomorrow - or might not ever happen for decades.


Let me share something disturbing from FEMA officials right here in Houston. FEMA pays for 75% of the cost of a disaster, and the State pays for the balance. Their budget of $30 billion sounds substantial until you realize that Hurricane Harvey alone costs $125 billion. According to the Government Accountability Office, FEMA consistently runs out of money before the end of each fiscal year. And yet, Congress continues to play political games with the budget and, as a result, disaster funding.


After what I witnessed during Harvey, let me tell you what we need to do. And these aren't just theoretical solutions - they're based on what I've seen work and fail right here in our community.


First, we need to fix this ridiculous budget impasse problem. I propose a new law that says that anytime the Federal Government is without a budget, all members of the legislative and executive branches, and their respective staff members, shall forfeit their pay until a budget is passed. I guarantee this will end the selfish and childish arguments in Congress.


Look at how other countries handle their disaster threats. In the Netherlands most people live below sea level, and in Japan, they live close to the sea. The Netherlands and Japan plan for 1,000-year flood events, not just 100-year floods like we do here in the U.S. Their building codes in Japan and the Netherlands are so robust they don't even need flood insurance. Meanwhile, here in Houston, we're still building in flood plains with, in some cases, woefully inadequate standards.


For wildfire prevention, FEMA needs more of those famous "Smoke Jumper" teams. The National Interagency Fire Center shows that they're successful in containing 98% of fires they reach quickly.

We need more support for them - in firefighting aircraft. Utilities should be required to clear brush from underneath their towers - you know, the towers are up here, sparks come down from the towers, comes down into the brush and sets off a fire. They should be required to clear all that brush from underneath their towers and keep their equipment in good order.

They should also be required to install solar powered cameras to spot fires in the tower locations. I mean, that seems logical to me. Logging companies should be required to clear all deadfall and brush from the forest, to reduce the fuel for the next possible fire.

In the eleven continuous western states, the federal government owns 50% of the land. Now just think about it... the federal government owns 50% of the land! As the owner, our government can immediately install these protections on federal land. They don't need a vote. They just need to do it!

For flood protection, we need to follow what we've here in Harris County after Harvey. The County Flood Control District reports that our new building standards have reduced flood damage by 75% in areas where they're enforced.

Clearing our waterways, here in Houston we call them bayous, allows flood water to flow more freely into the Galveston Bay, and that obviously reduces the flooding dramatically. This should be a standard practice everywhere in America.

Speaking of building standards, we know damaged homes and commercial buildings can be rebuilt to withstand 200-mile-per-hour winds. The additional cost? According to construction experts, that's only about 5% more than standard building costs. Think about that - for 5% more, you get protection against nearly any storm that could hit. Overtime, lower insurance costs pay for the higher construction costs. Should new construction be held to such higher standards? I think that is a real serious consideration, and we should talk about it.

Here in Texas, we learned the hard way about power grid vulnerability. The Department of Energy estimates we need, nationally, $2 Trillion to modernize America's power grid. But here's the thing - every dollar spent on grid modernization saves four dollars in disaster recovery costs.


Patriots, this isn't just about government policy - it's about our communities, our homes, our families. It's about saving lives! I've seen firsthand how FEMA's brave men and women work tirelessly during disasters. During Harvey, I watched FEMA teams work 20-hour days, sleeping in their trucks, to help our community.


Please discuss these ideas with your friends and colleagues. Share your own experiences with disasters and emergencies. We've all been touched by this in some way - whether it's a hurricane here in Houston, wildfires in California, or floods in the Midwest. The men and women of FEMA deserve our support and our thanks.


Let us know what you think; we love hearing from you. Please join us next time when we will discuss the reasons the founders devised the electoral college and how it serves us in today's contentious political environment. Until then, may God Bless you and God Bless America.


Sources:

- FEMA Disaster Data (2023)

- National Weather Service Records

- U.S. Geological Survey Reports

- Government Accountability Office Reports

- Texas A&M Forest Service

- ERCOT Statistical Data

- Department of Energy Grid Analysis

- Harris County Flood Control District

- National Interagency Fire Center

- American Society of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Report