More than 100 people are dead and 600 missing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which has created a humanitarian crisis across the Southeast only weeks before the election.
President Biden and Vice President Harris are marshaling the resources of the federal government to address the devastation, while former President Trump received a briefing in Valdosta, Ga., where he swiped at the Biden administration’s response.
- Helene’s devastation spanned more than 500 miles from Florida to Appalachia.
- Homes, businesses, roads and bridges are destroyed. Communications are down in parts of the country and fresh water is in short supply.
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Power companies are racing to repair damaged infrastructure, and the federal government is coordinating the delivery of supplies to those who are stranded or isolated.
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The federal government has deployed more than 3,600 personnel so far to clear debris and provide supplies, with the National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and Department of Defense activated in response.
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Biden has approved emergency declarations in North Carolina, Florida and South Carolina to unlock government resources. Federal search and rescue teams are looking for the missing and the dead.
Deanne Criswell, the head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), surveyed damage in Georgia and Florida over the weekend.
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Criswell is on the ground now in Asheville, N.C., where many are stuck without food, water or power. Shelters are overrun and supplies are being airlifted into the region.
- The devastation is horrific in North Carolina, a pivotal swing state that both Trump and Harris have lavished with attention.
Biden gave an address Monday from the Roosevelt Room, saying he spoke with the governors of Georgia and North Carolina, as well as officials in Tennessee, Florida and South Carolina.
Biden, who is battling a cold, said he’d visit impacted areas later this week, but he wants to wait so that his visit isn’t a burden on first responders.
“We’re not leaving until the job is done… I’m committed to traveling to the impacted areas as soon as possible, but I’m told it would be disruptive if I did right now. We will not do that at the risk of diverting or delaying any of the response assets needed to deal with this crisis.”
Congress is out, but Biden said he’d consider calling a special session for lawmakers to return and pass a hurricane funding bill.
Harris returned to Washington on Monday, canceling planned campaign stops out West so she could be briefed on the devastation.
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Harris will visit FEMA headquarters for a briefing later today.
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Harris’s team released a picture of her being briefed on Air Force Two, saying she has spoken with FEMA director Criswell and North Carolina Gov. Rory Cooper (D) about the relief efforts.
Trump over the weekend bashed Biden and Harris for being outside of Washington while the crisis unfolded.
Trump claimed Biden had been “sleeping” at home in Delaware.
On Monday, Biden was asked by reporters why he wasn’t “commanding from Washington” over the weekend.
“I was commanding. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before, as well. I commanded. It’s called a telephone.”
Trump continued his attacks Monday during a stop in Valdosta, Ga., where he was briefed on the devastation and the federal response.
- Trump praised Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who he’s feuded with in the past.
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Georgia lawmakers — including the two Democratic senators — sent a letter to Biden on Monday urging him to quickly approve Kemp’s disaster declaration request.
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Trump said he’s spoken to Elon Musk about getting Starlink set up for areas damaged by the hurricane. He hopes to visit North Carolina later this week.
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