Sarah Labowitz
@sarahlabo.bsky.social
I study adaptation through climate disasters at @carnegieendow and find ways to tell stories at @UNTOLD
We're up to 32 disasters in 2025 that have been denied or gotten no response on Hazard Mitigation requests, with New Mexico being added for the flash floods in early July www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/w...
July 22, 2025 at 6:56 PM
We're up to 32 disasters in 2025 that have been denied or gotten no response on Hazard Mitigation requests, with New Mexico being added for the flash floods in early July www.cnn.com/2025/07/08/w...
Here's an updated view of 2025 v 2024 and how the administration is batching review of requests for disaster help. Disasters get added to the queue and just sit until there's a WH review day and a bunch get approved/denied all at once. Last year, it was an ongoing cycle of review, w/o big backlogs.
July 22, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Here's an updated view of 2025 v 2024 and how the administration is batching review of requests for disaster help. Disasters get added to the queue and just sit until there's a WH review day and a bunch get approved/denied all at once. Last year, it was an ongoing cycle of review, w/o big backlogs.
We're up to 13 open declaration requests in the FEMA Daily Brief content.govdelivery.com/attachments/...
July 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
We're up to 13 open declaration requests in the FEMA Daily Brief content.govdelivery.com/attachments/...
#3 Texas got a very fast disaster declaration for the #hillcountryfloods. But most states are not getting quick turnarounds on their disaster declaration requests this year. The administration is letting requests sit, then approving them in batches. See 2025 compared to 2024:
July 18, 2025 at 10:04 PM
#3 Texas got a very fast disaster declaration for the #hillcountryfloods. But most states are not getting quick turnarounds on their disaster declaration requests this year. The administration is letting requests sit, then approving them in batches. See 2025 compared to 2024:
Oops, would help if I screenshotted the whole HMGP table all the way back to Jan. Here it is.
July 18, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Oops, would help if I screenshotted the whole HMGP table all the way back to Jan. Here it is.
#2 The administration hasn’t approved a single request for Hazard Mitigation since 2/17/25. 31 requests are either denied or pending.
July 18, 2025 at 9:07 PM
#2 The administration hasn’t approved a single request for Hazard Mitigation since 2/17/25. 31 requests are either denied or pending.
#1 There are 10 disaster declaration requests from governors all over the country that have gone unanswered since May
July 18, 2025 at 9:05 PM
#1 There are 10 disaster declaration requests from governors all over the country that have gone unanswered since May
Hurricane season is off to a rocky start. For some disasters, the admin is taking *months* to approve governors' requests for disaster declarations that activate federal help. Average number of outstanding requests in the 2 weeks before hurricane season for the last decade: 4. This year? 13.
June 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Hurricane season is off to a rocky start. For some disasters, the admin is taking *months* to approve governors' requests for disaster declarations that activate federal help. Average number of outstanding requests in the 2 weeks before hurricane season for the last decade: 4. This year? 13.
This show brought the house down at CAMH in Houston over the last few months and is opening today at @massmoca.bsky.social. Peter Molick’s images do the work incredible justice. 🥰
May 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
This show brought the house down at CAMH in Houston over the last few months and is opening today at @massmoca.bsky.social. Peter Molick’s images do the work incredible justice. 🥰
Lots of talk about TX and FL and their capacity to meet disaster needs as FEMA seeks to push responsibility for response and recovery to the state level. Since 2015, FEMA sent $6.6B to Texas for disasters and $13.2B to FL.
May 15, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Lots of talk about TX and FL and their capacity to meet disaster needs as FEMA seeks to push responsibility for response and recovery to the state level. Since 2015, FEMA sent $6.6B to Texas for disasters and $13.2B to FL.
I wrote about things to watch after the #lafires at the end of Jan (w/ the fab Debbra Goh). One thing we're keeping an eye on is how many people are applying for help from FEMA. The numbers are so much bigger than for any previous fire carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
February 11, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I wrote about things to watch after the #lafires at the end of Jan (w/ the fab Debbra Goh). One thing we're keeping an eye on is how many people are applying for help from FEMA. The numbers are so much bigger than for any previous fire carnegieendowment.org/emissary/202...
FEMA reform is being framed as giving state and local governments more control. Currently, the biggest program for disaster recovery is FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses state & local governments for their disaster recovery expenses.
February 10, 2025 at 9:28 PM
FEMA reform is being framed as giving state and local governments more control. Currently, the biggest program for disaster recovery is FEMA's Public Assistance program, which reimburses state & local governments for their disaster recovery expenses.
Here's a breakdown of the disaster budget by federal department (also available here docs.google.com/spreadsheets...)
December 22, 2024 at 8:39 PM
Here's a breakdown of the disaster budget by federal department (also available here docs.google.com/spreadsheets...)
NOAA gets $743M, including $399M for acquiring hurricane hunter aircraft. Sounds cool. Also cool: maintaining accurate data about climate threats and disasters. www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-ope...
December 22, 2024 at 8:32 PM
NOAA gets $743M, including $399M for acquiring hurricane hunter aircraft. Sounds cool. Also cool: maintaining accurate data about climate threats and disasters. www.omao.noaa.gov/aircraft-ope...
Side note: what’s up with $125M for the Army for “procurement of ammunition” after Helene??
December 22, 2024 at 8:30 PM
Side note: what’s up with $125M for the Army for “procurement of ammunition” after Helene??
$12B for CDBG-DR (long term housing & community disaster recovery) in the CR. HUD to publish rules by 1/15/24, and no take backs by any future admin…
December 18, 2024 at 12:36 AM
$12B for CDBG-DR (long term housing & community disaster recovery) in the CR. HUD to publish rules by 1/15/24, and no take backs by any future admin…
@katelynnvogt.bsky.social wish you were here!
November 24, 2024 at 1:20 AM
@katelynnvogt.bsky.social wish you were here!
Appreciating everyone's starter packs of who to follow and relieved to be off Twitter!
November 18, 2024 at 10:49 PM
Appreciating everyone's starter packs of who to follow and relieved to be off Twitter!
See you tonight @ Truckland in Marfa for the West Texas premieres of TEXAS, USA 🎥
October 7, 2023 at 9:47 PM
See you tonight @ Truckland in Marfa for the West Texas premieres of TEXAS, USA 🎥
Halfway to Marfa for tonight’s screening of TEXAS, USA
October 7, 2023 at 3:57 PM
Halfway to Marfa for tonight’s screening of TEXAS, USA
Since I last posted on Twitter, I produced a documentary, about progressives in Texas (we exist!). Available across streaming platforms on 10/6. Trailer at texasusafilm.com. Welcome to BlueSky?
September 7, 2023 at 5:04 PM
Since I last posted on Twitter, I produced a documentary, about progressives in Texas (we exist!). Available across streaming platforms on 10/6. Trailer at texasusafilm.com. Welcome to BlueSky?