President Joe Biden is set to visit North Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, following significant criticism regarding his administration’s response to the storm.
This visit comes after backlash from both the public and political opponents, particularly former President Donald Trump, who accused Biden of poor leadership in contrast to his own proactive approach during similar crises.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm, wreaking havoc across multiple states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The storm has resulted in over 100 fatalities, with at least 40 deaths reported in North Carolina alone. Additionally, many residents are currently without access to essential services such as electricity, running water, and cell phone connectivity. The aftermath has left communities devastated, with reports indicating that some homes have been completely washed away.
In light of the devastation, Biden announced plans to travel to North Carolina after receiving updates from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and other officials involved in the disaster response. He stated that while he was prepared to visit sooner, he prioritized ensuring that his presence would not disrupt ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.
“Homes and businesses have washed away in an instant. I want them to know we’re not leaving until the job is done,” he emphasized.
Biden also mentioned that he may request Congress to reconvene early from its recess to pass supplemental disaster funding aimed at addressing the extensive impacts of the hurricane. He noted ongoing discrepancies between FEMA’s reported figures and local assessments of the damage.
The timing of Biden’s visit has raised questions about its political motivations, especially given Trump’s prior visit to Valdosta, Georgia, where he distributed relief supplies and criticized Biden for his absence during the crisis. Trump’s comments included accusations that Biden was “sleeping” at his beach house instead of attending to the disaster response.
Biden responded directly to Trump’s criticisms during a press briefing, asserting that he had been actively engaged in coordinating federal resources from afar. “I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before as well. I was commanding. It’s called a telephone,” he remarked.
The Biden administration has mobilized over 3,500 federal personnel across affected states to support ongoing response efforts. This includes deploying Urban Search and Rescue teams and providing essential supplies such as food, water, and generators. FEMA has shipped over 1.9 million Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) and more than 1 million liters of water to impacted areas.
The administration has also approved Major Disaster Declarations for Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, allowing residents in these areas to access federal assistance for recovery efforts.
As recovery efforts continue, officials are monitoring an additional weather disturbance in the Caribbean that could develop into another storm.
