FEMA delays payments to Joplin tornado area to cover costs of Hurricane Irene

Today's Washington Post features coverage of FEMA's decision to delay payments for Joplin tornado recovery to cover costs of Hurricane Irene:

FEMA said Sunday it will still pay people eligible for individual storm assistance and some states recouping emergency response costs from previous disasters, but it will restrict payments for older, longer-term public rebuilding and mitigation projects to ensure the solvency of the federal disaster relief fund.

The decision affects projects tied to spring tornadoes and other disasters dating back several years and “prioritizes the immediate, urgent needs of survivors and states when preparing for or responding to a disaster,” said FEMA spokeswoman Rachel Racusen.

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5:41: Stories from the Joplin Tornado is available at this link.