If a Hurricane Makes Landfall While the Government Is Shut Down, What Happens?

A hurricane can strike at any moment, even when the government is shut down. 

Senators returned to the Capitol on Monday Oct. 6 tasked with striking a deal to fund the federal government and end the current shutdown. In the meantime, a tropical storm is brewing in the Atlantic which has the potential to form into the next hurricane this season. 

If you live in a coastal state like Florida, Texas, or North Carolina, the current situation is likely particularly nerve-racking as a shutdown might limit federal resources and make hurricane safety a greater concern than usual.

But here’s the good news: By being proactive and knowing your options in the event of a hurricane, you can give yourself (and your loved ones) some much-needed peace of mind in the midst of such uncertain times.

Federal agencies and hurricane relief during a shutdown

Thankfully, even during a government shutdown, life-saving operations don’t stop. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) emergency response services, Coast Guard rescues, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather forecasting all continue, though behind the scenes, capacity is reduced.

Unfortunately, given the downsizing of FEMA staff, the dwindling funds in the Disaster Relief Fund, and the shutdown's impact on grants through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), it's still understandable to be concerned.

FEMA staffers are on duty—at least what's left

FEMA emergency response operations, Coast Guard rescues, and Red Cross or local volunteer aid, will remain fully functional during the shutdown.

"Those are essential services that never stop regardless of what’s happening in Washington," explains Andrew McCallum, vice president catastrophe services at Sedgwick in Naperville, IL.

However, recent events in the agency have concerned experts and homeowners alike that when the worst should happen, there won't be enough hands—and this was well before the shutdown.

"Given FEMA’s workforce has already been reduced by roughly 35% within the Trump administration, a shutdown won’t directly cause those cuts. Rather, it will compound the effect," adds McCallum.

Fewer personnel in the field means slower coordination of recovery and fewer FEMA assistance centers in hard-hit areas.

Disaster Relief Fund (DRF)

The Disaster Relief Fund, which is where FEMA gets its money to pay for disaster relief and recovery also stays active.

"Those funds are established well in advance and can cover immediate needs like debris removal, temporary housing, and rescue logistics," explains McCallum.

However, it should be noted that there are some in government, like Sen. Thom Tillis out of North Carolina, who have been sounding the alarm well before the shutdown that the DRF needs replenishing. 

In June, he introduced legislation that would replenish the fund with $25 billion to ensure adequate resources to respond to the hurricane season. (According to the latest FEMA Disaster Relief Fund monthly report, the account balance right now is at $1.4 billion.)

Grants and the NFIP

Grant programs and new NFIP policies will experience the greatest slowdowns.

On September 30, at 11:59 p.m., due to the government shutdown, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which insures nearly 5 million properties across the U.S., was forced to lapse, given that the government was not in session to vote on its renewal.

Due to this, hazard mitigation grants and flood mapping projects will be paused, and FEMA is no longer able to issue new flood insurance policies or renew current ones.

"This means that the process can delay roughly 1,300 home closings per day in flood-prone areas where federally backed mortgages require flood coverage," explains McCallum.

The upcoming hurricane season and current storm activity

A number of hurricanes that occurred prior to the government shutdown, which received ample government response, despite not making landfall.

Hurricane Erin, which began as a tropical storm in August was quickly upgraded to a Category 5 hurricane. In response to it, Josh Stein, North Carolina’s governor, issued an Executive Order 20, declaring a state of emergency. 

The state’s emergency response team along with the North Carolina National Guard were ready to help while two helicopters in surrounding states were prepared to transport food, water, and other supplies if necessary. Furthermore, crews from the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) were tasked with clearing roadways and monitoring their reopening. 

Then, Hurricane Gabrielle moved in around mid-September. As it intensified into a Category 5 storm, FEMA issued a statement encouraging homeowners in the coastal parts of the Southeast U.S. to stay informed and adhere to local emergency initiatives. Fortunately, damage from Gabrielle was minimal, despite its significant flooding along coastal areas spanning North Carolina to New Jersey.

So, being in the heart of a very active Atlantic hurricane season, resources being limited due to the shutdown is less than ideal, to say the least.

How homeowners can prepare during a shutdown

At the end of the day, prepping for a potential hurricane while the government is shut down is all about personal responsibility. 

While you can’t control the limited federal resources or expired programs, you can take these precautions to protect your home from hurricanes and in turn, mitigate your concerns. 

Review your insurance policies now

Make sure your coverage is up to date, especially flood insurance.

“The NFIP cannot issue new policies or renewals during a government shutdown, so you may want to explore private flood insurance options in advance,” says Diane Delaney, executive director at Private Risk Management Association in New York City. 

Document your home and belongings

Take photos and videos of the inside and outside of your home. A simple inventory today can make the claims process smoother in the event of storm damage and help avoid delays if a shutdown slows down payments.

Create an evacuation plan

“Don’t wait until a storm is approaching to decide what to do,” explains Delaney.

Choose a meeting place for family members, know your evacuation routes, and think through where you would go if you had to leave your area.

Reinforce your garage door

Garage doors are often the first point of failure in strong storms and winds. When they blow in, the air pressure builds up significantly and can even lift off roofs.

“Bracing kits are cheap, easy to install, and a ton cheaper than repairing or replacing a roof or whole building,” says Ron Neely, contractor at American Home Shield in Memphis, TN.

Trim trees and clean gutters

Heavy branches are a major cause of roof and power line damage from storms.”

Trimming branches ahead of time reduces risk of damage, and cleaning out the gutters reduces risk of water pooling around your foundation,” explains Neely.

Do the laundry and clean the house

A clean house and fresh clothes will make a huge difference in comfort while stuck indoors for days, especially as the dirty dishes and laundry pile up.

“Every hurricane survivor I've shared this tip with swears by it, and it tends to be overlooked by people only starting to learn about hurricane safety and preparation,” says Neely.

Follow the frozen spoon rule

Place a spoon on top of a frozen container of water in your freezer.

“After the storm passes, if the spoon is sunk into the frozen water, your freezer was without power long enough for things to thaw out and refreeze,” explains Neely. This means you should discard everything.