FEMA says its own records show that low-income households are much less likely than higher-income households to have flood insurance, even though low-income households are “exactly the population that would benefit most from a post-disaster insurance payout.”Īfter major flooding, low-income households instead rely on FEMA disaster aid, which typically pays only a few thousand dollars, “so these individuals will likely fall further behind after a disaster,” FEMA said. Low-income people also often lack property insurance, which can be “cost-prohibitive” for them, the report says. Just 56% of people with only a high school education have home broadband compared to 93% of people with a college degree. One section of the report cites research showing that minorities, low-income households and less-educated people are far less likely than their counterparts to have internet access at home, which can be crucial after a disaster to find help. households, face additional vulnerability after a disaster because they “tend to have lower socioeconomic status and fewer social support resources.” Single-parent households, which account for 30% of U.S. The report notes that LGBTQ people “have historically been socially repressed and excluded.” Research has shown that after a disaster, LGBTQ people are more likely to be socially isolated and face disrespect or harassment in settings such as emergency shelters.įEMA urges emergency managers to “plan for the whole community, including those with civil rights protections,” and to “quickly restore social safety nets after a disaster.”ĭomestic violence and child abuse can increase after a disaster as programs and services are disrupted, the report says. “Age, financial insecurity, pregnancy, and identification with a historically disadvantaged group-including minorities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community-are all factors that can increase vulnerability.” “There are individuals and families who are particularly vulnerable to disasters,” the report says.
It’s the first time that the preparedness report, published annually since 2012, used the words “lesbian,” “gay,” “bisexual” and “transgender.” The report does not mention climate change. The Federal Emergency Management Agency warned yesterday that minorities single parents and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people are “more likely than others to be severely impacted by disasters” and may need extra help.įEMA’s annual National Preparedness Report, which historically has focused on threats including flooding, terrorism and the nation’s vulnerability, breaks precedent by drawing attention to classes of individuals who may lack the financial and social resources to withstand a disaster.