States Could Run Short of Emergency Relief as Government Shutdown Continues

Florida and the southeastern United States could be in for some stormy weather over the coming days, according to the National Hurricane Center. Those states, however, could be left to face the storms without federal emergency relief if the government shutdown continues. “We’ve got activity in the Atlantic and the National Flood Insurance Program can’t write new, or renew existing, policies,” Florida’s former chief financial officer and current congressman, Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-Fla.), said on X on Oct. 4. “It’s time to stop holding America hostage.” Patronis tied his message to a morning update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC), which showed three areas of concerning weather, also known as disturbances. One was tagged off the coast of southeast Florida, another was spotted in the Gulf of America off the coast of Louisiana, and a third was spotted moving westward near the Cabo Verde Islands....