President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are currently in the Carolinas and Georgia, respectively, to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and oversee recovery efforts in the aftermath of the storm. President Biden started his visit in Greenville, South Carolina, where utility crews and city public work teams are working tirelessly to clear roadways and restore power to the affected areas.
The president then took an aerial tour of the devastated region, including Asheville, North Carolina, which has been one of the hardest-hit areas. The White House announced that President Biden has authorized the deployment of 1,000 active-duty U.S. soldiers to support the delivery of essential supplies to communities impacted by the hurricane. These troops will join the thousands of federal personnel already on the ground assisting with the response efforts.
As the search for survivors continues, President Biden emphasized the importance of providing support to the affected communities. He is scheduled to visit Raleigh, North Carolina, for an operational briefing at an emergency operations center in the afternoon. While Raleigh was spared the worst of the damage, Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee are still reeling from the impact of the storm. Many residents are without basic necessities such as running water and food, and parts of highways have been destroyed.
Despite the urgency of the situation, President Biden has been cautious not to interfere with the ongoing recovery efforts. He explained that he did not visit the affected areas sooner to avoid disrupting first responders and recovery operations. Vice President Harris is also actively involved in the crisis response, receiving updates on the federal government’s efforts in Augusta, Georgia.
Former President Donald Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, earlier in the week to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. President Biden has indicated that Congress may need to reconvene to pass supplemental emergency funding for the federal response to the disaster. House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed this sentiment, acknowledging the need for additional funding but suggesting that it may not happen until after Election Day, as all House members are currently focused on their reelection campaigns.
The president’s visit to the Carolinas and Georgia underscores the severity of the situation and the urgent need for support for the affected communities. As recovery efforts continue, federal resources and assistance will be crucial in helping these regions rebuild and recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
