The federal government doesn’t help with every disaster; it generally has to be above the ability of a community or state to handle.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is tasked with helping states and communities hit by disasters like Hurricane Helene. With Helene hitting during the homestretch of an election year, the agency has been criticized by some residents and politicians,

There are a lot of misperceptions about FEMA's role in disaster recovery, what it pays for and what residents in hurricane-hit areas can expect. Here's a closer look.