U.S. Spends More Than $5B To Buy Out Flood-Prone Homes; Claims Still Coming
Over the past three decades, federal and local governments have poured more than $5 billion into buying tens of thousands of vulnerable properties.
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Over the past three decades, federal and local governments have poured more than $5 billion into buying tens of thousands of vulnerable properties.
Long oversaw FEMA's response to three major hurricanes — Harvey, Maria and Irma — during his time as administrator. The agency was sharply criticized in particular for its response to Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico and knocked out power for months.
Sirens wailed while workers piled sandbags in front of hotels and police blared warnings to tourists to leave the world-famous Waikiki Beach as Hurricane Lane bared down.
FEMA said Friday the final 707 displaced households will move out by Sunday.
The confusion — and panic — have raised questions about whether any state should be solely responsible for notifying the public of such an event — especially as Washington and North Korea trade insults and threats.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency has revised its policies to allow houses of worship to apply for some federal aid to help deal with damage from Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.
The head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency says the U.S. is spending more than $200 million each day on the response to three major hurricanes and huge wildfires.
Faced with the looming threat of dual disasters, FEMA has ramped up preparations for Hurricane Irma as it barrels towards Florida, even as the agency continues the massive recovery effort in storm-battered Texas.
This request will bring the total number of counties receiving assistance in the wake of Hurricane Harvey to 43.
Courage abounds in South Texas as rescues continue after Tropical Storm Harvey. But when it comes to saving your home one restoration expert says "don't be a hero."
The original request, which was granted by FEMA, will provide Individual Assistance, Public Assistance and Hazard Mitigation to Texas counties affected by the storm.
Mobile homes will fill front yards across southern Louisiana again, just like after Hurricane Katrina, as federal authorities bring in temporary housing for thousands displaced by catastrophic flooding.
Residents in the counties are now able to apply for disaster assistance.
August 27 is the deadline for North Texans with damage from the spring storms to register for assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) or the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA).
Flood insurance is one of those things you may think you have, but you probably don't. If your home is flooded, your homeowners insurance will most likely not cover the damage.
A Frisco man claims the DEA harassed him for simply walking on public property. The confrontation was caught on camera while the man was trying to prove a point about where you and I have a right to be.
December's ice storm left North Texas battered and bruised. Now we've learned we've been left out in the cold again -- footing all the repair bills.
After denying an initial funding request by Gov. Rick Perry, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced a $2.8 million grant to help schools devastated by a plant explosion in West, Texas.
By December of 2011 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had declared wildfire disaster declarations in more than 150 Texas counties. Today the agency refunded some of the money spent to fight those fires.
The City of West has filed a lawsuit against the owner of the fertilizer company that exploded and its supplier, but an environmental law attorney says it will be a difficult case.
The small city of West that was rocked by a powerful and deadly explosion is being jolted again: This time by FEMA.
The individual victims of the West explosion are getting help. But the announcement that FEMA has denied disaster money, to help rebuild infrastructure destroyed in April's fertilizer plant explosion, directly affects the city's request for help.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is refusing to provide money to help rebuild the Texas town of West, where a deadly fertilizer plant explosion leveled numerous structures and killed 15 people.
Engineers are analyzing unpermitted gas well access roads in Fort Worth, to see if they could be contributing to extensive flooding to properties along the Trinity River.
Downed trees, broken power lines and missing shingles are all one way to gauge storm damage. You could also check to see if the corner restaurant can still make you a waffle.
Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall warned that the calls received by dispatchers are distressing.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with members appointed by RFK Jr., voted to change longstanding recommendations on the hepatitis B vaccine.
Despite the holes, the firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
This weekend, expect warmer temperatures on Saturday with highs near 60 before a cold front moves through into Sunday.
Kerrville Police Chief Chris McCall warned that the calls received by dispatchers are distressing.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, with members appointed by RFK Jr., voted to change longstanding recommendations on the hepatitis B vaccine.
Despite the holes, the firefighters were able to extinguish the fire.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
This weekend, expect warmer temperatures on Saturday with highs near 60 before a cold front moves through into Sunday.
Nearly every day, hundreds of thousands of Texas students board a school bus.
Outdoor sirens are meant to warn Texans of tornadoes and floods. This summer's deadly flooding in Kerr County exposed how vulnerable many communities are, with sirens broken, outdated or missing.
It took Azellia Thompkins nearly a year to watch the video of her attempted suicide in the Scurry County jail. Now, she's hoping others will watch it.
The average wait for a bed in a maximum-security psychiatric facility in Texas is over eight months.
At a legislative hearing, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick blasted Judge Rob Kelly for being absent in his county's time of need.
Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu of Houston discusses his reaction to the Supreme Court's ruling upholding the 2025 map so that they can be used for the March primary and next year's midterm elections. He told Jack Fink, "it's beyond disappointing."
Gov. Greg Abbott discusses the redistricting battle an hour before the U.S. Supreme Court announced that they would allow the newly drawn maps to be implemented.
As intrigue grows over whether Texas Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett plans to announce a U.S. Senate campaign next week, she confirmed to CBS News she's spoken with would-be opponents.
The decision from the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the new Texas redistricting maps is a big win for Republicans in the state. Texas Republicans stand to gain up to 5 seats with the implementation of these new maps for the March 3rd primary and 2026 midterm elections. Political reporter Jack Fink explains what's next.
The U.S. Supreme Court Justices will keep the 2025 congressional maps in place for next year's all-important midterm elections.
Less than two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight that crashed and flipped in Toronto on Monday afternoon, the company is facing its first two lawsuits in the incident — and they likely won't be the last.
Texas Agricultural Commissioner Sid Miller is calling for a statewide ban on non-water additives, such as fluoride, in the public water system.
Last year, over 16 million vehicles drove on North Texas toll roads without paying, accumulating more than $69 million in unpaid tolls.
Activists are calling for a nationwide boycott of Target stores following the company's decision to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Discount store chain Target says it's joining rival Walmart and a number of other prominent American brands in scaling back corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
A group of North Texas women has been working hard to preserve a style of dancing that had its heyday in the early part of the 20th century.
It's called H3N1, and it can not only cause more severe illness in older adults, but it's also proving to be resistant to flu vaccines.
A North Texas man serves the community as a full-time Crowley police officer; however, that young officer is the one who needs help after he received a life-threatening diagnosis over the summer.
The toolkit includes tips for caretakers and applies to anyone with dementia.
Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, a critic of government vaccine mandates, has been quietly appointed to one of the CDC's top positions.
Smith and other Main Street businesses complained to Frisco about the impact on business.
Rodeo Dallas, a popular but controversial Deep Ellum nightclub, is getting back in the saddle. In Uptown.
"This is a Texas-sized investment in the future of our great state," Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement.
American Airlines has announced plans to cut management and support roles, mainly at its headquarters in North Texas.
President Donald Trump's plan to cut record beef prices by importing more meat from Argentina is running into heated opposition from U.S. ranchers.
Jahmyr Gibbs and the Detroit Lions have beaten the Dallas Cowboys to stay atop the NFC wild-card race.
Dallas Cowboys receiver CeeDee Lamb suffered a concussion against the Detroit Lions on Thursday night and was ruled out for the rest of the game.
The Detroit Lions host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 14 of the 2025 NFL season on Thursday.
The Dallas Stars shut out the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Wednesday night.
The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are the top two teams in the hunt for an NFC wild card and are still holding on to hopes to compete for division championships.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
The heavy metal band has not only changed lives with their music; they've also changed lives with their philanthropy – from donations to food banks and disaster relief, to their charity, All Within My Hands, which has donated to workforce education and other critical services.
Stoppard was often hailed as the greatest British playwright of his generation.
Jimmy Cliff, who famously sang about the "many rivers" we all must cross, has died after suffering a seizure and pneumonia, his family say.
Donald Glover, who performs under the moniker Childish Gambino, revealed he suffered a stroke last year, which forced him to cancel his tour.
The Red Bull Flugtag Airshow returned to Las Colinas on Saturday after a 12-year hiatus. Teams are tasked with constructing a flying machine and putting it to the test. It's estimated that around 25,000 people attended the event.
A suspect was taken into custody after an attack on Pearl Street Mall in Boulder on June 1 in which there were 15 people and a dog who were victims. The suspect threw Molotov cocktails that burned some of the victims, who were part of a march for Israeli hostages.
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies at Texas Health locations across North Texas celebrated Valentine's Day.
As Anthony Davis prepared for his debut game at the AAC, Dallas Mavericks fans took to the arena to protest the controversial trade.
A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.