Biden pledges federal aid to Southeastern states
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden pledged Monday that the federal government will help people across the Southeast recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath, saying he expects to request emergency funding from Congress in the coming weeks.
“I’m here to tell every survivor in these affected areas that we will be with you for as long as needed,” Biden said in brief remarks in the White House’s Roosevelt Room.
Biden said he plans to travel to North Carolina later this week once his motorcade and other presidential travel requirements are out of the way. Recovery effort.
“I’m committed to getting to the affected areas as quickly as possible, but I’m told if I do that now, it will create chaos,” Biden said. “We will not risk diverting or delaying any of the responses needed to address this crisis. Asset risk does this.”
Biden said he did not know how much money his administration would ask Congress for recovery efforts but did not rule out asking lawmakers to return to Washington, D.C., before the six-week election recess ends on Nov. 12. emergency declaration Biden released disaster relief aid for affected states.
Expected to be one of the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history, Helen made landfall in Florida last week, leaving a trail of damage and destruction in its wake. Associated Press reportThe death toll had risen to at least 107 on Monday, with 30 reported in North Carolina, which includes Asheville.
Residents of the entire Southeast, including those in Georgia, South Carolina, western North Carolina, and eastern Tennessee beat Exposed to some of the worst flooding and wind damage.
Many communities were completely devastated and lacked access to clean drinking water, functioning grocery stores, electricity, and cell phone service.
Roads and bridges that would have allowed residents to drive to get supplies or stay with friends or family have been completely washed away by the hurricane, leaving many stranded and without the necessities of life.
High water levels also destroyed many people’s homes and vehicles, complicating disaster recovery across the region, especially in rural areas where people often live far from towns.
Senators appeal for help
North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis posted on social media Sunday afternoon. nation Assistance is urgently needed.
“Entire communities in Western North Carolina are without power, without cell phone service and remain in grave danger of flooding,” Tillis wrote. “First responders are doing their best, but the devastation caused is incomprehensible. WNC Needs All the help you can get, and you need it now.
North Carolina Republican Sen. Ted Budd issued a written statement Saturday after a call with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the North Carolina Emergency Management Agency, the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross.
“It is clear that the losses in western North Carolina are 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 assist the region, including public , private and charitable organizations We are all in this together.
Georgia Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff issued a statement Sunday saying he had surveyed the damage from the storm and spoke with FEMA Administrator Dean Criswell.
Ossoff “discussed the importance of communicating to the people of Georgia the full range of recovery resources and plans that will be available once the state completes a damage assessment,” the statement said.
Rep. Kate Carmack, R-Fla. Say it on C-SPAN On Monday, the hurricane destroyed not only people’s homes and businesses, but also farms across the region.
“The agricultural losses there are huge,” Carmack said. “They’re seeing winds approaching 100 miles an hour. So we’re looking at catastrophic damage inland and along the coast. It’s really devastating.
