Native Communities Face Disproportionate Disaster Damage with Limited FEMA Funding
Native communities in the U.S. have experienced $4.4 billion in natural disaster damage over the past decade but received only $810 million in disaster response and recovery funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This disparity is highlighted in a new analysis by the Urban Institute, which examined the disproportionate risk faced by Indian Country, including federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages, and three U.S. territories. The report indicates that tornadoes and flooding are the most costly disasters for tribal communities, accounting for $1.6 billion in property and crop damage. Western tribes primarily suffered from wildfires, while Alaska Native villages were most affected by flooding. Tribes in the South experienced a range of weather events, including drought, hail, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Overall, the damage to Indian Country represents only 1% of all national disaster damage. Since 2016, over half of all Native communities have endured two or more presidential...
