President Biden has approved the mobilization of an additional 500 active-duty troops to North Carolina to aid in the recovery efforts after Hurricane Helene. With a total of 1,500 troops, along with more than 6,100 National Guardsmen and over 7,000 Federal personnel, the Biden-Harris Administration is mobilizing all necessary resources to support families as they work towards rebuilding. The federal government will cover 100% of costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures in North Carolina for six months, and over $137 million in federal funds has been released for rebuilding efforts, including $100 million for transportation infrastructure.
Over 800 people who are unable to return home are being housed in lodging provided through FEMA, with 22 shelters still housing nearly 1,000 people as mobile feeding operations continue to assist survivors. President Biden emphasized that his administration is sparing no resource in supporting families as they begin the rebuilding process and will continue to work closely with local and state leaders regardless of political affiliation. Senator Thom Tills of North Carolina has called for additional resources to aid in the relief efforts, comparing the scope of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene to Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana in 2005.
President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and former President Donald Trump have all visited impacted regions following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which resulted in catastrophic damage from Florida to the Appalachian mountains and claimed over 225 lives across multiple states. Deanne Criswell, who leads the Federal Emergency Management Agency, condemned the false claims and conspiracy theories surrounding the federal response to the storm as demoralizing to aid workers. She emphasized that the support of the state of North Carolina has been crucial in coordinating relief efforts, despite misinformation promoted by Republicans, including false claims of intentional aid withholding in Republican areas.
The recent false claims and misinformation surrounding the federal response to Hurricane Helene have been labeled as demoralizing and unhelpful by FEMA chief Deanne Criswell. Criticism, including claims that aid is being withheld to certain areas due to political affiliations or spending priorities on immigration and foreign aid, has been debunked as distractions from the essential rescue and recovery operations underway. Senator Thom Tills dismissed claims that resources are being diverted to immigration efforts, noting that relief efforts in North Carolina remain unaffected. The focus remains on supporting first responders and individuals affected by the hurricane as they work towards recovery.
President Biden reiterated his commitment to working closely with local and state leaders, emphasizing a nonpartisan approach in providing support and resources for the recovery efforts following Hurricane Helene. The administration is dedicated to coordinating efforts with state and local officials, regardless of political differences, for as long as it takes to rebuild and recover from the devastation. Efforts to combat misinformation and false claims surrounding the relief efforts are ongoing, with a focus on maintaining focus on the essential tasks of rescue, recovery, and rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
