Winds don’t discriminate, but recovery does: The need For collective support after hurricane tragedies has never been greater
By Kayra Dayi
In Suwannee County, part of Florida’s Big Bend, Ellen Peebles and her fiancé have weathered three hurricanes in just over 13 months: Idalia, Debby and Helene. After the destruction of their home, the couple relocated to the Residence Inn Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal with the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s help. Although FEMA ensured the couple that their hotel stay would be covered until mid-January, Peebles received an unexpected text informing her that their stay would end much sooner, leaving them to find housing themselves with little time and resources to do so.
“All of the material things can be replaced,” Peebles told NBC 6 South Florida. “But the intangibles, like your security, your sense of comfort and having a place to call home—all of those things were stripped from us.”
The couple’s uncertainty highlights the unpredictability of government aid, especially for lower-income families, who are disproportionately dependent on such programs during crisis. Yet, just a few miles away, Cathleen Lamar, a resident of Coral Gables, weathered the same storm. However, she was able to book a stay at Hotel Biltmore. With financial resources unavailable to many, Lamar’s experience underscores the stark inequalities in disaster response.
This is nothing new. South Florida’s history with hurricanes shows a disturbing trend: while wealthier areas have quickly bounced back, often within a matter of years, lower-income neighborhoods struggle to rebuild. In the aftermath of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, federal and state aid focused on Miami-Dade County and many predominantly Black and Hispanic neighborhoods in Homestead faced delays in receiving relief. A study published in BMJ Global Health found disparities in federal responses to hurricanes, revealing that recovery efforts for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma were faster and more substantial compared to Hurricane Maria, highlighting potential inequalities in disaster relief efforts.
Opinions vary as to whether the system has improved. Craig Fugate, former Administrator of FEMA, has argued that recent changes in disaster management policies have aimed to improve efficiency and equity in aid distribution, emphasizing an inclusive “whole community” approach to emergency management. Yet, residents like Peebles tell a different story. “It feels like they just stopped caring about us,” she said.
These inequalities are often increased by intersectional factors, including but not limited to race, disability, and income. The National Disability Institute has identified people with disabilities and members of marginalized racial groups as those who face challenging barriers during disasters.
The disparity has instilled an eye-opening experience of the realities many face like in Adrian Lutz, a high schooler from American Heritage Schools, Plantation. “Our team loaded and unloaded trucks packed with supplies and handed out essentials to families whose lives had been devastated,” he said. “Seeing how something as simple as food, water or toiletries could bring hope brought me a new sense of awareness.”
As Hurricane Milton fades from headlines, its aftermath provides the vessel for addressing the inequalities it exposes. A study highlighted by the Center for American Progress found that Black disaster survivors received less government support than their white counterparts, even when the amount of damage and loss were the same.
Federal aid programs, such as FEMA, must move away from one-size-fits-all models to ones that carve out spaces for the most vulnerable victims. Research from the Wharton School indicates that low-income applicants were disproportionately denied FEMA Individual Assistance after Hurricane Harvey. Applicants earning less than $30,000 annually comprised 28% of applications but accounted for 48% of denials. Denial reasons included issues like “Occupancy not Verified” or “Missed Inspection,” which disproportionately affect low-income households. Simplified applications, coordination with local groups, and direct contact with underserved communities are key to making it work.
In addition, policymakers need to consider long-term strategies, such as equitable infrastructure investments, accessible disaster education, and climate resilience projects in lower-income areas. By addressing the root causes of disparity, Florida can better prepare all of its residents—not just the wealthy—for the storms to come.
Now, many hope to alleviate the storm’s effects by providing community support and resources. “Students can actively participate by traveling to the impacted areas to assist with packing and unpacking the supplies,” Natalie Cashman, the faculty advisor for Heritage’s Key Club, said. “For example, during the relief efforts for Milton and Helene, we were able to send a truck of supplies to Florida’s west coast and North Carolina. Beyond delivering supplies, Cashman and students contribute to cleanup efforts in the affected region, such as clearing debris from parking lots at local parks and schools.”
Hurricane Milton was more than a disaster of nature; it was one of neglect. The case of Ellen Peebles and that of Cathleen Lamar further show that while winds may not differentiate, recovery does. “Having lived in Florida for over 45 years, I’ve witnessed firsthand how hurricanes can devastate any community, regardless of socioeconomic status. It’s difficult to determine which areas are hardest hit, as the destruction can vary widely,” Cashman said. “What matters most is coming together as a community to help with recovery and cleanup efforts after the storm has passed.”