US disaster survivors still await at least $10bn in federal aid: ‘It’s devastating’

The last long-term federal recovery funds allocated for a major disaster were for Hurricane Milton, which hit in late 2024

Survivors of extreme weather disasters across the US are facing long waits for government assistance funds to rebuild their lives, with the last long-term recovery funds allocated for Hurricane Milton that hit Florida two years ago. Government officials estimate more than $10bn is needed in long-term disaster recovery funding to rebuild affected communities in Los Angeles county and St Louis, Missouri, alone.

Demetrice Davis's home in north St Louis still has damage from the EF3 tornado that tore through the area in May 2025. The insurance didn't cover much of anything. And the Fema just kind of backed you up for a little while, but didn't get you back on track," he said. The government agencies are not really doing what they're supposed to do."