LAKE PLACID, Fla. — Residents of this small Florida community at the center of a scandal over FEMA aid workers who left the homes of Trump supporters say they have never seen any workers from the agency federal government – ​​even after weathering two hurricanes and being hit by a tornado. .

But on Wednesday, the Federal Emergency Management Agency was out in force, going door to door to make sure everyone got what they needed.

Lake Placid, a community of 2,360 about 85 miles east of Sarasota, suffered minor damage from Hurricanes Milton and Helene, but last month at least one tornado tore through the area, decimating homes at Tropical Harbor Estates, a 55+ mobile home. neighborhood.

Around 30 houses were seriously damaged and one injury was reported.

“I didn’t hear from FEMA until this week,” said Stu Randal, who had a Trump sign posted in his yard.

“I was wondering where they were, and we didn’t have much damage, but we should have at least gotten a visit.”

He did not blame the agency’s no-show on politics, but reiterated emphatically: “They should have been here by now.”

FEMA was embroiled in controversy since the discriminatory practice was revealed, leading to the dismissal of the supervisor Marn’i Washington.

She later said on a podcast that the agency’s practice of avoiding “hostile” homes in recovery efforts was not only common, but “colossal.”

A FEMA source told the Post that Washington’s claims were consistent with what it considered an unofficial agency practice — avoiding the homes of Trump supporters and majority-white neighborhoods in the name of DEI — and that this had been going on for years.

Lake Placid is 47% white and 42% Hispanic.

Highlands County, where Lake Placid is located, voted 70% for Trump in the election.

Republican lawmakers whose states were affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton have committed to opening investigations to find out if the agency was playing favorites based on policy.

Highlands County Emergency Management told the Post that about 50 homeowners contacted to report their homes were abandoned after the recent spate of storms.

After news of Washington’s firing and allegations that the agency might not provide impartial assistance, inspectors were sent Wednesday to re-inspect the area, going door to door and asking whether residents had suffered damage.

Several owners wearing Trump stickers or American flags told the Post they hadn’t heard from the agency until this week, but were unaware there was any controversy .

They all just assumed they had been ignored because other areas had been hit harder.

A Harris supporter said she had also been neglected, while a homeowner who described herself as nonpartisan said she heard from FEMA in mid-October, just days after the tornado.

Homeowner Mary Fagnan said she was visited by FEMA but was not eligible for assistance because their primary residence was in Buffalo, New York.

But she was outraged by the scandal.

“There are a lot of people here who really need help, and it doesn’t matter who they voted for,” she said.

FEMA inspectors themselves, visibly shaken by the aftermath of the brouhaha, told the Post they were not authorized to comment but said they were simply there to do their job.

“They sent me here and I’m doing it, and now I’m the bad guy,” he said, acknowledging outrage over the agency’s preferential treatment.

“It’s not my fault. I don’t care who anyone voted for, I’m just here to inspect the damage and help people, so don’t make it seem like we’re all like that. I don’t even pay attention to who they voted for. I don’t care. People have lost everything and I’m just here to help them,” he said.

Another FEMA field inspector said he had never seen a memo about leaving the homes of Trump supporters.

“They sent me to work in the area and that’s what I’m doing. I have been here since Monday and everyone is very nice,” he said.

City officials were stunned by the allegations against FEMA.

“When I first heard about it, I was like ‘wait, what?’ I couldn’t believe…I couldn’t imagine that someone wouldn’t help people who were struggling because of who they were supporting for president,” Lake Placid City Administrator Sharlette Rodriguez said. Post.

“I was very disappointed. But that’s not who we are as a community. We are tolerant of each other’s differences and of each other’s politics. We are a small community and we come together to help each other and be kind and hospitable to each other,” she said.

“So it didn’t occur to me that there would be any harm in anything FEMA was doing. This has never crossed my mind…we need to recognize that those with opposing views are not enemies. It is our neighbors and our families that we should have the privilege of serving.

Lake Placid Mayor John Holbrook said he was also unaware of the simmering controversy.

“We’re a Republican area, but a lot of people voted for Harris. No matter who we voted for, we are all entitled to the same things. It was a disaster and it shouldn’t become partisan,” he said.

“I really hope that everyone who did this is punished as they should be. There should be no tolerance for this.