FEMA Hurricane Trailers May Be In Short Supply
The CBS4 I-Team has learned of new, potentially wide-ranging problems with FEMA trailers and the formaldehyde fumes in them. We've reported how they've been banned by FEMA already, but I-Team has learned that could create a major housing shortage should a storm hit here this summer.
Even as old used campers continue to roll into FEMA's staging grounds near Fort Pierce, there is now concern in Washington and here in Florida that there won't be enough housing for storm victims should a major hurricane strike this summer.
"When the next storm hits, are we going to have the necessary temporary housing if a storm were to hit Florida?" asks US Rep. Tim Mahoney (D) of Florida.
In fact, Mahoney and Alcee Hastings wrote a letter to FEMA Director David Paulison last August expressing that concern, and asking for details on a plan to handle a housing shortage in the event of a storm. Six months later, neither Congressman has officially heard back.
"We're still waiting to her back from FEMA," said Mahoney.
After our interview, Mahoney says he contacted Paulison, who assured him that there were 7,400 mobile homes on standby in Arkansas and Alabama. We confirmed that, but those are mobile homes, not campers, and because of flood plain rules here in Florida, mobile homes can't be used in the same way for storm victims as the campers were used.
"We have been asking for months for this, and they still haven't produced a plan," said U.S. Senator Bill Nelson.
The bottom line according to Florida Senator Bill Nelson--FEMA is not ready and does not have a plan.
"We could be in a world of hurt because FEMA is supposed to have an alternative plan for housing and they don't have one," said Nelson.
In fact back during the hurricane season of 2004 here in Florida FEMA gave out 14 thousand of these trailers to storm victims.
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