REPORT: FEMA Booting Americans From Shelters After Devastating Flooding

Thousands of Americans are bracing for a bitter winter storm while facing another looming disaster: losing their temporary shelters. FEMA’s Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program, which provides hotel rooms for families displaced by Hurricane Helene, has determined that over half of the program’s participants are no longer eligible for aid. This decision leaves 3,500 families scrambling for alternatives as freezing temperatures grip Western North Carolina.

An internal review found that many families in the program do not meet updated eligibility criteria, requiring them to vacate their accommodations by January 11, despite an approaching storm that has already prompted a winter storm warning from the National Weather Service. Temperatures are expected to plummet to as low as 14 degrees, exacerbating the crisis for those with no immediate shelter.

Local advocates and residents have described the situation as dire. Videos and posts shared online paint a grim picture of long lines for propane, inadequate heating, and families forced to rely on donated supplies. Matt Van Swol, a local advocate, shared an emotional video detailing the chaos. “What is happening in Western North Carolina today can only be described as mass panic. We have got 3,500 families that are about to get kicked out of hotels tomorrow morning, literally in the worst of the winter storms that we’ve gotten all year,” Van Swol said.

He recounted the desperation of families struggling to stay warm. “It’s going to be 14 degrees outside. line for propane a mile long at Beloved Asheville yesterday. People just picking up as much propane as they could put in their cars with buddy heaters or portable heaters. I’ve got negative 20 degree sleeping bags and four propane tanks in the back of my car that I’m going to deliver to someone who said that they will run out of propane by the end of tonight.”

WATCH:

I can’t even put into words how horrific what is happening to people in #WNC today.

FEMA kicking thousands of people out of hotels in sub-freezing temperatures.

Massive car lines for propane and buddy heaters. People in donated RVs can’t keep warm. Complete panic. pic.twitter.com/mooAZrpglJ

— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) January 9, 2025

Critics have lambasted FEMA for its handling of the situation, particularly in light of the billions allocated for disaster response. “These people do not have the money to pay for all of this propane. You have got to extend these hotel vouchers at least past this winter storm. We we literally cannot have 3,000 families without a place to go in them in the dead of winter like that that, absolutely cannot happen,” Van Swol finished.

Western North Carolina faces ongoing challenges after Hurricane Helene’s flooding and freezing winter temperatures. The September storm caused widespread damage, destroying homes, roads, and infrastructure. Recovery has been slow, with freezing conditions complicating efforts. Over $1.65 billion in federal aid has been allocated for rebuilding homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure. However, freezing temperatures and upcoming snowstorms are expected to worsen conditions, potentially causing power outages and hazardous travel.

FEMA has reported that out of over 5,700 households in Western North Carolina housed in hotel rooms funded by the agency, approximately 3,500 do not meet eligibility requirements. This decision could potentially displace thousands of families just as severe winter weather is set to hit the region on Friday.