Hurricane Irene forces FEMA to divert scarce disaster aid intended for Joplin to East Coast - The Washington Post: ST. LOUIS — Some federal money pledged to tornado-ravaged Joplin and other disaster sites is being diverted to help victims of Hurricane Irene.

Bob Josephson of the Federal Emergency Management Agency said Monday that FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund is running low. He says individual aid to victims of the May 22 tornado that destroyed about one-third of Joplin will continue, but money for long-term public repair and rebuilding projects will be used for immediate disaster relief on the East Coast.