LAKE PLACID, Florida — Residents of this small Florida community at the center of a scandal over FEMA relief workers skipping the homes of Trump supporters say they never saw any workers from the federal agency — even after riding out two hurricanes and getting hit by a tornado.
But on Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was out in full force, going door-to-door to make sure everyone was getting what they needed.
Lake Placid, a community of 2,360 around 85 miles east of Sarasota, received minor damage from hurricanes Milton and Helene, but last month at least one tornado ripped through the area, decimating homes in Tropical Harbor Estates, a 55-and-up mobile home neighborhood.
Approximately 30 homes were badly damaged and there was one injury reported.
“I heard nothing from FEMA before this week,” said Stu Randal, who had a Trump sign displayed in his yard.
“I wondered where they were, and we didn’t have a lot of damage, but we should have at least gotten a visit.”
He stopped short of blaming the agency’s no-show on politics, but emphatically restated, “they should have been here by now.”
FEMA has been embroiled in controversy since the discriminatory practice came to light, resulting in the firing of supervisor Marn’i Washington.
She later said on a podcast that the agency’s practice of avoiding “hostile” homes in recovery efforts was not only commonplace, but “colossal.”
A source at FEMA told the Post the Washington’s claims were in line with what she understood to be unofficial practice at the agency — avoiding homes of Trump supporters and majority white neighborhoods in the name of DEI — and that it’s been going on for years.
Lake Placid is 47% white and 42% Hispanic.
Highlands County, where Lake Placid is located, voted 70% for Trump in the election.
Republican lawmakers whose states were impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have pledged to launch investigations to get to the bottom of whether the agency was playing favorites based on politics.
Highlands County Emergency Management told The Post that approximately 50 homeowners reached out to report their house had been passed over after the recent spate of storms.
After news of Washington’s firing, and the allegations that the agency might not be meting out assistance impartially, inspectors were sent to re-canvas the area Wednesday, going door to door and asking if residents had suffered any damage.
Multiple homeowners with Trump stickers or American flags told The Post that they hadn’t heard from the agency until this week, but they weren’t aware there was any sort of controversy.
They all just assumed they were ignored because other areas were hit harder.
One Harris supporter said she was also overlooked, while a homeowner who described herself as nonpartisan said she heard from FEMA in mid-October, just days after the tornado.
Homeowner Mary Fagnan said she was visited by FEMA but wasn’t eligible for assistance due to their primary residence being in Buffalo, New York.
But, she was outraged by the scandal.
“There are a lot of people here who really need the help, and it shouldn’t matter who they voted for,” she said.
FEMA inspectors themselves, clearly rattled by the aftermath of the brouhaha, told The Post that they weren’t allowed to comment, but said they were just there to do their job.
“They sent me here and I’m doing it, and now I’m the bad guy,” he said acknowledging the outrage over the agency giving preferential treatment.
“This isn’t my fault. I don’t give a flying f–k who anyone voted for, I’m just here to inspect the damage and help people, so don’t make it sound like we’re all that way. I’m not even paying attention to who they voted for. I don’t care. People lost everything and I’m just here to help,” he said.
Another FEMA field inspector said he never saw a memo about skipping Trump supporters’ houses.
“They sent me out to work the area and that’s what I’m doing. I’ve been here since Monday and everyone is very nice,” he said.
Town officials were stunned by allegations against FEMA.
“When I first heard about it, I was like ‘wait, what?’ I couldn’t believe… couldn’t fathom that someone wouldn’t help people in trouble because of who they supported for president,” Lake Placid Town Administrator Sharlette Rodriguez told The Post.
“I was very disappointed. But that’s not who we are as a community. We’re tolerant of each other’s differences and each other’s politics. We’re a small community and we are unified in helping each other and being kind and hospitable to each other,” she said.
“So it didn’t occur to me that there would be any prejudice in whatever FEMA was doing. Just never crossed my mind … we need to recognize that those with opposing views aren’t the enemies. These are our neighbors and families who we should have the privilege to serve.”
Lake Placid Mayor John Holbrook said he was also in the dark about the simmering controversy.
“We are a Republican area, but there are a lot of people who voted for Harris. I don’t care who anyone voted for, we’re all entitled to the same things. This was a disaster and should not be made partisan,” he said.
“I really hope that everyone who did this is punished however they should be. There should be zero tolerance for this.”
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