FEMA’s Disaster Declarations: Factors, Cost Considerations & Trends

The growing number of disaster declarations (a record 98 in fiscal year 2011 compared with 65 in 2004) has contributed to increased federal disaster costs. FEMA leads federal efforts to respond to and recover from disasters and makes recommendations to the President, who decides whether to declare a disaster and increase the usual federal cost share of 75 percent. This book addresses the number of declarations requested and approved from fiscal years 2004-2011 and associated Disaster Relief Fund obligations; the criteria FEMA uses to recommend a declaration for public assistance, and the extent that FEMA assesses whether an effective response to a disaster was beyond the capabilities of state and local governments; how FEMA determines whether to recommend cost share adjustments, and their costs; and FEMA’s administrative cost percentages for declarations.