Federal Disaster Assistance for Hurricanes during COVID-19

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) has published a report on the types of federal assistance that may be available to state, territorial, and tribal governments, private nonprofit organizations, private entities, and individuals and households in response to a hurricane. Some of the assistance programs discussed in the report include Public Assistance, the National Flood Insurance Program, and Hazard Mitigation Assistance. It all discusses the federal government’s funding for emergencies and natural disasters. In its discussion of assistance programs and funding, the report adds considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, it addresses questions like “Is there enough money in the [Disaster Recovery Fund] for COVID as well as hurricanes?” and “Will SBA COVID-19 relief deplete funding for hurricane recovery?” The report also includes helpful, background-type information on the federal government’s disaster assistance and response processes.