Biloxi, Mississippi, is still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Gulf Coast 20 years ago. The hurricane made landfall as a Category 3 storm, causing extensive damage not only in New Orleans but also in Biloxi and other areas along the coast.

Mayor Andrew "FoFo" Gilich has been vocal about the ongoing struggles with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) regarding funding for recovery projects. The city is seeking $4 million to rebuild its pier stronger than before, but FEMA has only offered $555,000. Gilich expressed frustration, stating, "$555,000, which in my mind is absolutely ridiculous, you can't build anything with that."

One of the most pressing issues is the need for upgrades to Biloxi's sewage and stormwater systems. These improvements are essential for protecting the city from future storms. Gilich noted, "We can't bid these last two projects unless we have assurance of funding." He added that FEMA still owes Biloxi $34 million for work planned nearly two decades ago. However, FEMA will not release the funds until the city begins the final phase of the project, which Gilich is hesitant to start without guaranteed funding.

The mayor pointed out that rising costs for materials and labor have increased the estimated budget for the project to $111 million. FEMA has denied Biloxi's requests for additional funding twice. "I'm not bashful, and they [FEMA] understand, you know, where our concern is," Gilich said, describing the treatment of his city by FEMA as "just ridiculous."

Biloxi submitted a second appeal to FEMA this summer. The agency has previously attempted to reclaim funds provided for earlier phases of the sewage system upgrades, claiming the city mismanaged the federal money. Gilich countered these allegations, stating, "Bottom line, I'm here to say we've done everything we could possibly do."

FEMA's recent denial of Biloxi's funding request cited a lack of documentation to support the claimed costs. The city is not alone in its challenges with FEMA; there are 254 other Katrina relief projects across Louisiana and Mississippi that remain unfinished.

Gilich likened the experience to dealing with insurance agents, saying, "The delay, depose and deny." The situation has been complicated by changes within FEMA, including staff reductions and proposed funding cuts for disaster mitigation grants. Recently, a group of 181 current and former FEMA officials expressed concerns that the agency's reforms post-Katrina could be undone by the current administration.

In May, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem acknowledged ongoing claims from Hurricane Katrina, stating, "We still have claims outstanding in FEMA from Hurricane Katrina." She emphasized the need for integrity in the agency's processes and the importance of empowering states in emergency response.

Gilich has made multiple trips to Washington, D.C., this year to advocate for his city. He remains cautiously optimistic that funding will eventually be secured, allowing the rebuilding process to be completed within three years. "The end result is righteous," he said, highlighting the importance of resilience against future storms.

In response to concerns about delayed funding, a FEMA spokesperson acknowledged the situation as "ridiculous, unacceptable, and absurd." The spokesperson noted that FEMA is working to streamline its processes and empower local communities. They also highlighted that FEMA has provided significant federal assistance since Katrina, including over $6.6 billion in Individual Assistance and more than $17.1 billion in Public Assistance for recovery projects.