Disaster Relief Fund Hits Critical Low as Shutdown Endures

As the US government shutdown hurtles through a fourth week, the main source of federal funding for disaster relief efforts is running critically low, according to people familiar with the matter and an internal report reviewed by Bloomberg.

The Disaster Relief Fund, which finances federal assistance to disaster survivors and the deployment of federal staff to disaster zones, has reached a precarious level, current and former Federal Emergency Management Agency staff warn, threatening to curb crucial government disaster relief assistance in the middle of hurricane season.

Last October, FEMA officials began ringing alarm bells when the relief fund balance dipped ...