WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pledged Monday that the federal government would lend a hand people across the Southeast recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, saying he expects to ask Congress for emergency funding in the coming weeks.
“I am here to say to every single survivor in these affected areas that we will be with you as long as it is necessary,” Biden said in brief remarks from the Roosevelt Room at the White House.
Biden said he plans to travel to North Carolina later this week once his motorcade and other presidential travel requirements do not get in the way Recovery efforts.
“I am committed to traveling to affected areas as quickly as possible, but I have been told it would be disruptive if I did so now,” Biden said. “We will not do this at the risk of diverting or delaying the response resources needed to address this crisis.”
Biden said he didn’t know how much money his administration would ask Congress for the recovery effort, but didn’t rule out asking lawmakers to return to Washington, D.C., before their six-week election recess ends Nov. 12. Emergency declarations were issued by Biden for the affected states, which enable disaster relief.
Helene, on track to become one of the deadliest hurricanes in the country’s history, made landfall in Florida last week, leaving a trail of devastation and destruction in its wake. The Associated Press reported As of Monday, the death toll rose to at least 107, including 30 reported deaths in North Carolina County, which includes Asheville.
Residents were throughout the Southeast, including Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee Blow through some of the worst flooding and wind damage.
Many communities are completely devastated and have no access to immaculate drinking water, functioning grocery stores, electricity or cell phones.
Roads and bridges that were supposed to allow residents to drive to get supplies or stay with friends or family were completely washed out by the hurricane, leaving many people stranded without essentials.
The flood also destroyed many people’s homes and vehicles, further complicating disaster relief efforts across the region, but particularly in rural areas where people often live far from the city.
Senators are asking for lend a hand
North Carolina Republican Senator Thom Tillis posted this on social media Sunday afternoon the State is in urgent need of lend a hand.
“Entire communities in western North Carolina are without power, without cell service, and remain at great risk from flooding,” Tillis wrote. “First responder [are] They do the best they can with what they have, but the devastation is unimaginable. WNC needs all the help it can get, and it needs it now.”
North Carolina Republican Senator Ted Budd released a written statement Saturday after a call with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, North Carolina Emergency Management, the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross.
“It is clear that the damage in western North Carolina is catastrophic,” Budd wrote. “There is no doubt that the road to recovery will be long and difficult, but we will mobilize all available resources to help the region, including public, private and nonprofit. We’re all in the same boat.”
Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff released a statement Sunday saying he had surveyed the storm damage and spoken with FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell.
The statement said Ossoff “discussed the importance of communicating to Georgians the full range of recovery resources and programs that will be available upon completion of the state’s damage assessment.”
Florida Republican Rep. Kat Cammack said on C-SPAN On Monday, the hurricane declared that it not only destroyed people’s homes and businesses, but also devastated farms across the region.
“The agricultural damage there is enormous,” Cammack said. “They saw winds approaching 100 miles per hour. As a result, we are facing catastrophic losses both inland and on the coast. It’s really devastating.”
