Latest news with #disasterassistance
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Natural disasters cost Australia $2.2 billion in first six months of 2025
The Treasury has flagged GDP figures may be lower than expected this quarter due to a huge economic loss from natural disasters so far in 2025. New analysis by the Treasury has estimated the immediate loss of economic activity from natural disasters so far in 2025 is $2.2 billion. The huge costs of disasters this year, include the impacts of flooding in the NSW Hunter and mid-North Coast regions, as well as Cyclone Alfred and flooding in western Queensland and Far North Queensland. Most of the loss will affect the March quarter, the Treasury said, which is to be reflected in National Accounts released on Wednesday. The natural disasters have also had an impact on retail trade and household spending, data from the March quarter suggests. Retail trade in Queensland dropped 0.3% in February and 0.4% in March. Household spending was flat nationally, with a 0.2% drop in Queensland contributing. Treasurer Jim Chalmers highlighted the dual focus on human and economic costs, with continued disaster assistance. 'Our government's first priority is helping to fund the recovery and rebuild for communities hit hard by all the heavy weather we're seeing more and more frequently,' he said in a release. 'The human impacts matter to us most, but the economic cost is very significant too and we'll see that in Wednesday's National Accounts. 'The Government will be there for people in disaster hit regions, just like they're there for each other.' Mr Chalmers added they have activated disaster assistance to the Hunter and mid-North Coast regions of NSW. 'Because of the progress Australians have made together in the economy, with inflation down, debt down and unemployment low, we're in a stronger position to provide support when communities need it most,' he said. Meanwhile, Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain stressed the importance of preparedness and long-term recovery, with an extra $200 million to be invested via the Disaster Ready Fund in 2025–26. 'Our Government is committed to preparedness and resilience in order to protect communities when disasters strike,' she said. 'We are committed to funding support to increase resilience, adaptability and preparedness. Our Disaster Ready Fund initiative will provide another $200 million of investment in 2025-26.' Ms McBain said she has recently been on the ground in NSW, and has seen first hand the effects a disaster can have. 'We have activated multiple disaster payments and we will continue to work with NSW on any other funding requests and I have been meeting with small business and primary producers who have been hit hard,' she said. 'For a lot of these people, it's the cumulative impact of a number of events and we understand that. 'That's why recovery isn't going to be over the next couple of days when cameras and lights are on the area. It's going to be days, weeks and months that we'll walk with these communities.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
People in six KY counties hit by storms, tornadoes can now apply for FEMA help
President Donald Trump has approved Gov. Andy Beshear's request for federal disaster assistance in six Kentucky counties affected by severe storms and tornadoes last weekend. People in Caldwell, Laurel, Pulaski, Russell, Trigg and Union counties can apply for individual assistance through FEMA, the agency said Friday night. 'Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover from the effects of the disaster,' a FEMA news release stated. Beshear said in a statement on the social media platform X Friday night that 'this process takes time and we will add more counties to our request as damage assessments are completed.' Beshear thanked Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, saying the support 'is essential to helping families affected rebuild.' The storms May 16 and 17 left 19 Kentuckians dead, including 17 people in Laurel County, and severely injured others. An EF-4 tornado carved a path more than 55 miles long across Pulaski and Laurel counties, destroying or heavily damaging at least 1,500 homes, according to initial estimates included in Beshear's request. The cost of cleaning up the debris was estimated at $59 million. Individuals and business owners can apply for assistance by visiting calling 800-621-3362 or using the FEMA app.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
FEMA funds aid Missouri counties hit by severe weather
WRIGHT COUNTY, Mo. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced today that federal disaster assistance is coming to Missouri following severe weather that tore through multiple counties in March and April. Here in Southwest Missouri, Wright County will be receiving some of those funds, after a tornado hit rural parts of the county on March 14th. The Amish community was mostly impacted; due to religious reasons, the Amish would not speak on camera. Neighbors that live nearby tell Ozarks First they do not believe their Amish neighbors will accept any of the federal funding. 'We appreciate FEMA and I just hope that the Amish does take some help. I doubt it, but I hope that they do,' Gwen Reed says. Today, President Trump announced federal funding for over a dozen Missouri counties, including multiple counties in our viewing area. The funding is to help recover from severe weather that hit on March 14 and 15, as well as March 30, through April 8. 'It was pretty devastating and pretty scary. When it hits so close to here, it makes you a little more alert,' Reed says. For the March 14th storms, federal funding is available for individuals or local governments and non-profits impacted by the severe weather. Assistance can include grants for temporary housing or home repair, low-interest loans and other programs. Rex Cole helped his Amish neighbors rebuild after the tornado. He tells Ozarks First they have their own ways of paying for supplies after disaster strikes. 'They won't take no funds. No money. If they worked for me and they got hurt, they won't come to me for funding to pay for any medical bills. They take care of all their own stuff,' says Cole. The Webster County Office of Emergency Management says they have not received many details yet on the specifics of the funding or how much the county can receive. Cole says he is glad the government is not overlooking rural areas like his. 'That's even better to me that they're hitting more rural areas instead of the big cities. I mean, because they need just as much funding as everybody else does. So yeah, it's a great thing,' Cole says. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
