UPDATE: President Joe Biden emphasized that the recovery from Hurricane Helene will be a prolonged and costly process as the White House detailed the federal support being provided to the regions hardest hit by the storm and intense rainfall.
“This isn’t going to be a quick fix. It will take a very long time and require a substantial amount of funding,” Biden said from the Oval Office. “This is the United States, and we must get this done.”
The statement came during a video conference with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and emergency response officials, where Biden discussed the ongoing efforts to aid the affected areas.
In a part of the video conference with the President Biden and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Biden explains claims that Trump made on his ignorance in avoiding the issue.
The president responded to the interviewer before they could finish speaking, saying, “He’s lying, let me get this straight. He’s lying. And the Governor told him he was lying…”
President Biden stated, “I have spoken with Governor Kemp, spent time with him, and he told me things that aren’t true. I don’t understand why he does this. What makes me so frustrated isn’t what he says about me, but the misinformation he’s spreading to those in need. He suggests we’re not doing everything we can.”
Meanwhile, former President Trump visited Georgia today to assess the hurricane damage, and Vice President Kamala Harris received a briefing at FEMA headquarters this afternoon.
Biden noted that water and essential supplies would need to be delivered to devastated areas for weeks to come, highlighting that Asheville’s water system was “completely down.”
“Ensuring a consistent supply of water will be crucial,” Biden said. “We’re actively discussing the strategies to maintain and intensify these efforts.”
“This is a historic storm. It’s devastating. Nothing like this has ever been seen before,” President Biden said.
Biden mentioned he plans to visit the affected region later this week (Wednesday) but expressed caution about not wanting his security requirements to divert resources from recovery efforts. His focus on the storm’s devastation will likely draw media attention to the ongoing tragedy. While networks sent reporters to Florida for the initial landfall, the storm’s further impact seemed to catch many off guard. Local outlets like the Asheville Citizen Times have maintained continuous coverage, while national coverage during the weekend centered on other stories, such as the Israeli attacks on Hezbollah and the presidential race. Some outlets have relied on social media images showing flooded streets, collapsed buildings, and entire neighborhoods wiped away.
Biden added that he might request Congress to reconvene for an emergency supplemental request for recovery and rebuilding efforts. “I’m here to tell every survivor in these impacted areas that we will be with you for as long as it takes,” he said.
Vice President Kamala Harris was briefed on the recovery efforts last night and is scheduled for another briefing later today. Her rival, former President Donald Trump, visited Valdosta, GA, today and noted that he had planned to visit North Carolina but was advised against it due to restricted communications.
While it’s clear actions need to be taken immediately to ensure everyone who has been affected safety, the public is torn on how the situation is being handled per party and point of view.
