People may take for granted just how much it costs for the government to help people in disasters. Take the state of Iowa. It cost more than $1 billion for that state to recover from tornadoes, flooding and other disasters that destroyed several communities last year. That’s just a fraction of the total amount that will ultimately go to the state for disaster aid, $3.6 billion at the end of the day.
“Disaster recoveries are very difficult, and they don’t necessarily move in a very timely manner. So I always say that disaster recoveries are marathons, not sprints,” said Lt. Gen. Ron Dardis, executive director of the Rebuild Iowa Office in Des Moines.
The largest category is $299 million spent by the Federal Emergency Management Agency to provide grants to the state, local governments and certain nonprofit agencies to quickly respond to and recover from major disasters.
Although the article doesn’t make the connection, you can be sure that part of that response includes providing stranded residents with basic supplies, such as food, water and medicine. If every home was prepared, a good chunk of that $299 million would be reduced, and the costs to taxpayers would be far less. You can help your community by preparing yourself for emergencies, and being ready and willing to help those around you with extra supplies, and it costs a lot less than government aid.
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