President Biden surveys Hurricane Helene damage, pushes for Congress support
TL/DR –
President Biden has visited Florida and Georgia to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene and discuss the response efforts, stating that Congress has a responsibility to ensure the states have the resources they need. The death toll from the hurricane currently stands at over 200 people with more missing, and rebuilding will cost billions of dollars. President Biden announced that the federal government will cover 100% of debris removal and emergency measure costs in North Carolina for six months, and in Florida and Georgia for the next 90 days.
President Biden toured storm-stricken Florida and Georgia on Thursday, witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and discussing federal, state, and local response strategies. He emphasized that Congress has a duty to ensure the southeastern states get the resources needed.
From the air, the President surveyed Florida’s Big Bend region, where the Category 4 Hurricane Helen inflicted devastating damage. The death toll across the Southeast now exceeds 200, with many still missing as recovery efforts continue.
Biden noted that reconstruction costs would escalate into “billions of dollars” and reiterated the responsibility of Congress to guarantee states’ access to needed resources. He and congressional leaders projected that additional funding will be essential for managing the damage and consequent humanitarian crisis.
On his second day assessing hurricane damage, Biden announced that the federal government would bear 100% of debris removal and emergency protective measures costs for six months in North Carolina, and 90 days in Florida and Georgia.
Biden, who worked closely with both Democratic and Republican officials during his visits, including Republican Senators Rick Scott and Lindsey Graham, stressed that in crises, there are “only Americans.”
He made a call for unity at Ray City, Georgia, saying, “In moments like this, it’s time to put politics aside.”
Vice President Kamala Harris was in Augusta, Georgia, receiving updates on Helene’s aftermath. As of Thursday, storm-related deaths totalled at least 217 across six states, with hundreds still missing and communities still coping without power, water, and accessible roads.
Biden’s Thursday tour commenced in Tallahassee, Florida before moving on to Perry, Florida and Keaton Beach. The president toured Helene-impacted areas with Senator Rick Scott.
On Wednesday, Biden directed the Pentagon to deploy 1,000 active-duty soldiers for aid delivery in the affected states. Thus far, 40,000 people have applied for disaster assistance, with FEMA distributing over $6.2 million to survivors, according to White House reports.
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