Joe Biden visited the Carolinas on Wednesday to see how badly Hurricane Helene tore apart the region. He went on an aerial inspection of the most affected areas and received a briefing on the steps taken to restore them. Vice President Kamala Harris was in Georgia listening to the reports on how the federal government has responded to the damage caused by the storm in that state.
How the Federal Government Will Help the Residents in Their Recovery Efforts
After receiving a request from the Governor of North Carolina, Roy Cooper, Biden said that federal funds would pay the total cost of debris removal and emergency protective measures in North Carolina in the next six months. When speaking with the media in Raleigh, he expressed his heartfelt condolences and support to the people affected, saying, “My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced the unthinkable loss, but we are here for you.”
The federal government has released state-level support for Dion for the first time. This type of federal assistance aims to reduce the time frames within which authorities can undertake recovery measures by providing both central authorities and the population with the support they need to rehabilitate their respective territories. During the president’s visit to Raleigh, he also received an operational update at the emergency operations centre, where officials briefed him on the progress of the issued actions.
Aerial Overview of Damage and Destructions
Biden started his trip in Greenville, South Carolina, where he actively worked with public work brigades, clearing the roads and restoring the electricity. Later, he completed an aerial survey of Asheville, North Carolina, which was, unfortunately, the most hurricane-damaged area. Parts of Asheville remain flooded, and highways and water systems are essentially completely wrecked.
“Much of Asheville is underwater,” Biden said after the tour, highlighting the extent of the damage and the long recovery process ahead.
Deployment of Troops for Relief Efforts
As noted in the latest reports, the White House has sent around 1,000 U.S. active-duty soldiers to help deliver critical supplies, such as food, water, and other medical supplies, to regions that Hurricane Helene has mauled. These forces are in addition to the more than 4,800 federal forces already deployed to the states in the area. The extra resources are intended to provide all the needed resources for the more affected individuals more quickly.
Search for Missing Persons and Casualties
The storm has also left several people searching for their loved ones.
As of the last count on Monday, rescuers reported that over six hundred people had yet to return home, while officials confirmed that Hurricane Helene had claimed one hundred and eighty lives. Search and rescue teams continue to conduct operations to find the missing and assist those in distress
Vice President Harris gets briefed on the activities and efforts in Georgia.
In other instructions to other governments, Vice President Kamala Harris was also in Augusta state, where the storm destruction updates were being fed. The federal government has taken a keen interest in managing relief operations in several states so that resources do not go to waste.
Hope For Additional Emergency Funding If Necessary
President Biden has pointed out that Congress may have to seek further emergency funding for the relief subjects. House Speaker Mike Johnson concurs. However, this may wait until after the election since most legislature members are out within their constituencies on campaign trails. The catastrophe also triggered cross-party pressure for quick measures to maintain the assistance extended to the affected areas.
