This photo made available by the U.S. Coast Guard, shows homes near a washed out road in Utuado, Puerto Rico, on Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017. The U.S. Coast Guard dropped relief supplies to residents who have been stranded after Hurricane Maria and mudslides washed out roads. Nearly two weeks after the storm, 95 percent of electricity customers remain without power, while 55 percent do not have access to drinking water. (Eric D. Woodall/U.S. Coast Guard via AP)
October 04, 2017 - 2:39 PM
WASHINGTON - The Latest on disaster aid funding (all times EDT):
5:30 p.m.
The White House has asked Congress for $29 billion in disaster aid to cover ongoing hurricane relief and recovery efforts and to pay federal flood insurance claims.
The request comes as the government is spending almost $200 million a day for emergency hurricane response and faces a surge in flood claims for federally insured homes and businesses slammed by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria.
The proposal would provide $16 billion to pay those flood claims.
Another $13 billion is being requested for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Federal firefighting accounts would receive $577 million as well after a disastrous season of Western wildfires.
Congress last month approved a $15.3 billion aid package that combined community development block grant rebuilding funds with emergency money for cleanup, repair and housing.
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10:35 a.m.
The Trump administration is finalizing a $29 billion disaster aid package that combines $16 billion to shore up the government-backed flood insurance program with almost $13 billion for hurricane victims.
That's according to a senior administration official and congressional aides.
Outlines of the request were characterized by officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because the measure was not yet public.
The government-guaranteed flood insurance program is on track to run out of money to pay claims during the week of Oct. 23. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is continuing to spend money for relief operations for hurricane Harvey, Irma and Maria at a high rate.
News from © The Associated Press, 2017