FEMA says disaster fund is out of money

(CNN) – The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced Tuesday its disaster fund has run out of money.

The agency’s administrator says for now, FEMA will only provide money for immediate needs.

She is hoping Congress will pass a $9 billion supplemental request to help restore funding for its disaster fund.

Congress is in recess through the end of August, and it is unclear when the House and Senate will take up the funding request.

Despite the lack of funding, FEMA officials say they have enough resources to respond to impending disasters like tropical storm Ernesto.

The storm is approaching Puerto Rico and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands and could strengthen into a hurricane.

This is the second year in a row FEMA’s disaster fund has run out of money before the full force of hurricane season takes effect.

Officials blame climate change for the problem.