FEMA for two months had to pause $9 billion meant for communities still recovering from past disasters. In this case, for nearly two months, FEMA hoarded $9 billion to make up for delayed funding from Congress. But Biden-administration officials warn of another shortfall as soon as January, especially after Hurricane Milton slammed into the Tampa area late Wednesday. "So if FEMA delays reimbursements, local governments have to bear those costs, and they may put off recovery efforts. FEMA officials have repeatedly said they have enough resources to respond to Hurricane Helene and now Hurricane Milton but declined to specify how much disaster aid remained available.

---

Persons: Milton, Helene, Hurricane Milton, Biden, Craig Fugate, Obama, Carlos Martín, Martín, Yucel Ors, Joe Biden, Mike Johnson, Hurricane Helene, Johnson, Ors Organizations: Hurricanes, FEMA, Service, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Hurricane, FEMA doesn't, Harvard University, National League of Cities, White, Republican, Fox Locations: Florida, Hurricane, Vermont, California, Pacific, Tampa, Washington, Louisiana, Milton, North Carolina , Georgia, South Carolina , Florida , Tennessee, Virginia, Asheville , North Carolina, Asheville