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The Federal Emergency Management Agency, charged with providing relief to disaster victims, comes to the rescue of tens of thousands of Americans affected each year by hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and other disasters.

When disaster pummels victims' homes, FEMA presents checks for repairs or for rent. When state and local governments need help with crises wrought by nature, they turn to FEMA. But with the unrelenting ferocity of this year's hurricane season, including up to $100 million in damage in Virginia from Ivan's remnants, and with some complaints about FEMA's performance after Isabel still lingering in the state a year later, the agency should fine-tune its emergency response to serve victims more efficiently and effectively.

FEMA provides welcome relief under trying circumstances. Continuing complaints in Virginia after Isabel, however, and FEMA's troubling pattern of sending money and then seeking to recoup it undermine the agency's efforts. FEMA should re-evaluate those procedures.

In Virginia, officials in some areas battered by Isabel blame lingering problems on bad advice from FEMA employees, confusion over the agency's polices and poor communication. To its credit, the agency has worked to improve communications.

FEMA also should be more precise in its initial assessments and project allocations.

Colonial Beach and Westmoreland County received $1.1 million from FEMA. Now the agency wants the county and town to repay $436,000. State officials say FEMA may ask other localities for reimbursements.

For several reasons, the agency also has sought reimbursements this year in places such as Grand Forks, N.D., and Pleasanton, Calif. FEMA sent 300 letters to Virginians, seeking refunds because the agency later found that the recipients had other benefits to cover their losses. Federal law prohibits relief programs from duplicating benefits.

To avoid waste, FEMA should recoup tax dollars. But localities' and individuals' understandable frustration and confusion could largely be avoided if the agency reviewed requests more carefully at the outset and clearly explained its policies.

During the nation's disasters, Americans look to FEMA. The agency should respond by serving them as effectively and efficiently as possible.