SUMMARY: Over 180 current and former FEMA employees issued a rare letter warning that severe budget cuts and mismanagement risk a disaster akin to Hurricane Katrina. The letter, marking the 20th anniversary of Katrina, criticizes recent policies, including restrictive spending approvals and staff reassignments to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which undermine FEMA’s disaster response capacity. It highlights leadership turmoil, with frequent firings and inexperienced acting chiefs, and calls for FEMA to become an independent, cabinet-level agency. Signatories fear retaliation under the current administration’s suppressive climate. Similar dissent has emerged at other federal agencies, emphasizing widespread concern about government emergency readiness.

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SUMMARY: Oak Hill, Florida, is set to receive nearly $187,000 from State Sen. Tom Wright to address persistent flooding along Canal Avenue. Heavy rains have repeatedly inundated homes and businesses near U.S. Highway 1, including properties owned by Christine and Doug Lathrom. The flooding problem results from a low-lying area without proper drainage or outlet to surrounding systems. The funding will support constructing a gravity drainage system and retention pond to prevent structural flooding and enhance safety. City officials and residents welcome this much-needed intervention, hoping it signals meaningful progress toward long-term flood relief in the community.

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SUMMARY: Thunderstorms are possible through sunset in Southeast Georgia and Northeast Florida, mainly south of I-10 and Central Florida, with rain ending by 9 PM. Temperatures will drop to the mid-low 70s with partly cloudy skies, shifting winds from north to south, and high humidity overnight. Heavy downpours between 4 PM and 7 PM may cause reduced visibility and temporary flooding. Rain accumulation by midnight varies from 0.01 to 0.20 inches in local areas. Tropical Storm Fernand moves north-northeast away from Bermuda with 40 mph winds. A tropical wave east of the Windward Islands has a 40% chance to develop into a depression soon. High rip current risk remains.

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