Latest news with #UrbanSearchAndRescue
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Noem demanding to sign off on all FEMA expenditures over $100K and staff says it's impacting emergency response
Federal Emergency Management Agency workers claim they ran into red tape while trying to assemble resources in response to the catastrophic flooding in central Texas because of new guidelines implemented by Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem. FEMA officials told CNN they were unable to pre-position Urban Search and Rescue crews from across the country to Texas, as flood waters dramatically rose to levels not seen in decades, destroying children's summer camps, homes, and putting hundreds of lives at risk. That was because Noem enacted a new rule requiring any department contract or grant over $100,000 to be personally signed off by her before funds can be utilized, several current FEMA officials told NBC News. 'FEMA doesn't sneeze without spending that amount of money,' a former official anonymously told NBC News. The rule, which is meant to cut back spending, could be a major problem for FEMA, which regularly accesses millions of dollars to assist in disaster response and recovery. 'We were operating under a clear set of guidance: lean forward, be prepared, anticipate what the state needs, and be ready to deliver it,' an unnamed longtime FEMA official told CNN. 'That is not as clear of an intent for us at the moment,' the official added. The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security for comment. Noem eventually approved FEMA's request on Monday, nearly three days after the initial flooding occurred, sources told CNN. FEMA officials also adopted a more streamlined process to send requests to Noem, creating a task force to speed up the process, two people familiar with the situation told NBC News. Tricia McLaughlin, a DHS spokesperson, told CNN that Noem did not need to authorize additional FEMA resources initially because the department used other search and rescue assets. Noem approved the requested FEMA funding as time went on, and there was a need for it, McLaughlin said. The department told NBC News it has taken an 'all hands on deck approach to respond to recovery efforts in Kerrville.' But FEMA officials told the news outlet that they fear the newly implemented rule could have far more devastating consequences when disaster strikes a larger area, or multiple states. In the area of central Texas where the flooding occurred, at least 120 people have died, including children, and more than 160 people are still missing. DHS says that Noem's recent cost-approval change is meant to reduce federal overspending and 'empower' states to respond to disasters. The step appears aligned with President Donald Trump's larger goal of phasing out FEMA completely. In June, Trump said he wants to 'wean off of FEMA' and 'bring it down to the state level.' 'A governor should be able to handle it, and frankly, if they can't handle it, the aftermath, then maybe they shouldn't be governor,' Trump said. When confronted with the question over the weekend, Trump softened his stance but did not rule out his plan to axe FEMA. FEMA is the lead federal agency tasked with responding to disasters and was established during the Carter administration. When a president declares a major disaster or emergency declaration, a state can access critical federal funding to assist in response and recovery.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
31 workers rescued after partial tunnel collapse in Los Angeles, officials say
Thirty-one people working in a massive underground tunnel in Los Angeles were rescued Wednesday night after a portion of the structure collapsed, officials said. Those rescued didn't have any visible injuries, the LAFD said in a statement, shortly after an operation that saw several of those trapped in the industrial tunnel hoisted up to safety by crane. More than 100 Los Angeles Fire Department responders raced to the scene in the city's Wilmington neighborhood to assist in the operation, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X. The collapse occurred approximately five to six miles from the sole entry and exit point of the tunnel and about 400 feet below ground, officials said. The tunnel is part of a municipal wastewater project. The trapped workers managed to climb over a 12- to 15-foot-high pile of loose soil to reach coworkers on the other side, preliminary reports indicate. From there, they were transported by tunnel vehicle to the access point, the fire department said. Firefighters used cranes and rescue cages to hoist several workers out, according to video from CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers and emergency responders on the scene, according to a video posted to her X account. 'Thank you again to all our first responders working to get Angelenos to safety,' Bass said. The failure occurred when workers were operating the tunnel boring machine and a section they had already built collapsed due to 'squeezing ground,' Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, said at a news conference late Wednesday. Squeezing ground occurs when the ground or soil deforms significantly during an excavation. Work on the site will be stopped and inspected, Ferrante added, but he did not elaborate on how long it will take. Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn said the incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in these projects and that the sanitation districts would 'look into' what caused the incident. CNN's Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
31 workers rescued after partial tunnel collapse in Los Angeles, officials say
Thirty-one people working in a massive underground tunnel in Los Angeles were rescued Wednesday night after a portion of the structure collapsed, officials said. Those rescued didn't have any visible injuries, the LAFD said in a statement, shortly after an operation that saw several of those trapped in the industrial tunnel hoisted up to safety by crane. More than 100 Los Angeles Fire Department responders raced to the scene in the city's Wilmington neighborhood to assist in the operation, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X. The collapse occurred approximately five to six miles from the sole entry and exit point of the tunnel and about 400 feet below ground, officials said. The tunnel is part of a municipal wastewater project. The trapped workers managed to climb over a 12- to 15-foot-high pile of loose soil to reach coworkers on the other side, preliminary reports indicate. From there, they were transported by tunnel vehicle to the access point, the fire department said. Firefighters used cranes and rescue cages to hoist several workers out, according to video from CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers and emergency responders on the scene, according to a video posted to her X account. 'Thank you again to all our first responders working to get Angelenos to safety,' Bass said. The failure occurred when workers were operating the tunnel boring machine and a section they had already built collapsed due to 'squeezing ground,' Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, said at a news conference late Wednesday. Squeezing ground occurs when the ground or soil deforms significantly during an excavation. Work on the site will be stopped and inspected, Ferrante added, but he did not elaborate on how long it will take. Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn said the incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in these projects and that the sanitation districts would 'look into' what caused the incident. CNN's Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
31 workers rescued after partial tunnel collapse in Los Angeles, officials say
Thirty-one people working in a massive underground tunnel in Los Angeles were rescued Wednesday night after a portion of the structure collapsed, officials said. Those rescued didn't have any visible injuries, the LAFD said in a statement, shortly after an operation that saw several of those trapped in the industrial tunnel hoisted up to safety by crane. More than 100 Los Angeles Fire Department responders raced to the scene in the city's Wilmington neighborhood to assist in the operation, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X. The collapse occurred approximately five to six miles from the sole entry and exit point of the tunnel and about 400 feet below ground, officials said. The tunnel is part of a municipal wastewater project. The trapped workers managed to climb over a 12- to 15-foot-high pile of loose soil to reach coworkers on the other side, preliminary reports indicate. From there, they were transported by tunnel vehicle to the access point, the fire department said. Firefighters used cranes and rescue cages to hoist several workers out, according to video from CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers and emergency responders on the scene, according to a video posted to her X account. 'Thank you again to all our first responders working to get Angelenos to safety,' Bass said. The failure occurred when workers were operating the tunnel boring machine and a section they had already built collapsed due to 'squeezing ground,' Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, said at a news conference late Wednesday. Squeezing ground occurs when the ground or soil deforms significantly during an excavation. Work on the site will be stopped and inspected, Ferrante added, but he did not elaborate on how long it will take. Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn said the incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in these projects and that the sanitation districts would 'look into' what caused the incident. CNN's Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
31 workers rescued after partial tunnel collapse in Los Angeles, officials say
Thirty-one people working in a massive underground tunnel in Los Angeles were rescued Wednesday night after a portion of the structure collapsed, officials said. Those rescued didn't have any visible injuries, the LAFD said in a statement, shortly after an operation that saw several of those trapped in the industrial tunnel hoisted up to safety by crane. More than 100 Los Angeles Fire Department responders raced to the scene in the city's Wilmington neighborhood to assist in the operation, including Urban Search and Rescue teams, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X. The collapse occurred approximately five to six miles from the sole entry and exit point of the tunnel and about 400 feet below ground, officials said. The tunnel is part of a municipal wastewater project. The trapped workers managed to climb over a 12- to 15-foot-high pile of loose soil to reach coworkers on the other side, preliminary reports indicate. From there, they were transported by tunnel vehicle to the access point, the fire department said. Firefighters used cranes and rescue cages to hoist several workers out, according to video from CNN affiliate KCBS/KCAL. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass met with the rescued workers and emergency responders on the scene, according to a video posted to her X account. 'Thank you again to all our first responders working to get Angelenos to safety,' Bass said. The failure occurred when workers were operating the tunnel boring machine and a section they had already built collapsed due to 'squeezing ground,' Robert Ferrante, chief engineer and general manager of the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts, said at a news conference late Wednesday. Squeezing ground occurs when the ground or soil deforms significantly during an excavation. Work on the site will be stopped and inspected, Ferrante added, but he did not elaborate on how long it will take. Los Angeles County Board Supervisor Janice Hahn said the incident serves as a reminder of the risks involved in these projects and that the sanitation districts would 'look into' what caused the incident. CNN's Josh Campbell contributed to this report.
