Disasters and emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Some are man-made while others are a result of natural events. The federal government has a system in place under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act that assists states in recovering from disasters and emergencies by providing federal relief in the form of funds and resources. However, this current system fails to appropriately address disasters that occur over a longer period of time. This Comment discusses the inadequacies of the Stafford Act in addressing long-term emergencies such as drought and the rise in sea level. Further, it suggests ways in which the current system can be improved or changed.