President signs executive order for disaster relief in California and North Carolina

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on January 24, 2025, that intends to provide relief for areas in California and North Carolina that have experienced recent disasters.

Wildfires broke out around southern California in early January 2025. The executive order, titled “Emergency measures to provide water resources in California and improve disaster response in certain areas,” is aimed at addressing water shortage issues and regulatory burdens that inhibit response efforts.

Addressing the impact of California wildfires

The executive order includes actions to be taken at the state and federal levels to better prepare California for wildfires and disaster response.

Some of these actions include:

• Policy for California wildfires: Provide necessary water resources for firefighting efforts including adequate water supply and improving disaster response capabilities.
• Water resource management: Multiple federal departments are directed to take action to ensure water availability in southern California. The executive order gives power to federal agencies to override policies or actions taken by the state that hinder water deliveries.
• Endangered Species Act: Federal agencies are instructed to expedite exemptions under the act to facilitate some of the actions listed above.
• Addressing regulatory burdens: Federal agencies are tasked with identifying any regulatory burdens that slow down water-supply and storage projects. Officials will assess whether state or federal laws inhibit water delivery efforts.
• Housing assistance: The executive order tasks federal agencies with providing housing strategies for victims displaced by wildfires.
• Grants for fire preparedness: FEMA will oversee grant disbursement to ensure the grants are being used effectively and timely.

Addressing Hurricane Helene’s impact on North Carolina

Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina in late September of 2024. The executive order includes actions and measures to be taken to support those affected by the hurricane in North Carolina.

Some of these actions include:

• Federal support: The executive order includes federal support for road repairs and housing for individuals displaced by the hurricane.

General provisions

The executive order states that it does not alter the authority of federal agencies or grant enforceable rights to individuals. The actions mentioned above will be subject to law and available funding, according to the executive order.

The article referenced in this story originally ran as White House issues executive order to provide water resources in California on Waterworld, an Endeavor Business Media partner site.