Biden takes aerial tour of hurricane-ravaged Asheville

President Biden toured hurricane-ravaged areas of Asheville, N.C., on Wednesday to survey the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

The president viewed the visible destruction, including buildings that had been flattened and trees knocked down. The president’s helicopter, known as Marine One, flew over Biltmore Village, Swannanoa and Black Mountain.

Biden also flew over Lake Lure to see the dark brown color of the water, debris floating in the water, and some homes that were partially submerged under water, according to reporters traveling in an accompanying helicopter.

He was joined on his tour by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D), Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell and Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall.

Vice President Harris, meanwhile, visited the Augusta Emergency Operations Center in Georgia for a briefing around the same time as Biden’s aerial tour in the neighboring state. The Democratic nominee met in a conference room with officials, surrounded by maps on the walls and a whiteboard with names and phone numbers.

“I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days, and I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done, especially when we coordinate around local, state, federal resources to meet the needs of people who must be seen, who must be heard,” Harris said in short remarks.

Harris is also expected to survey impacted areas, meet with families and business owners and visit a food distribution center while on the ground in Georgia.

Hurricane Helene made landfall Thursday in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing with it devastating winds and rainfall to Georgia, North Carolina and other states. The death toll, according to The Associated Press, is 130 people.

Biden plans to visit Georgia and Florida on Thursday while Harris has plans to visit North Carolina in the coming days.