Vice President Kamala Harris is cutting her West Coast campaign swing short to return to Washington, DC, for a briefing on the ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene at FEMA Headquarters. She will be briefed on federal actions taken to support emergency response and recovery as the Southeast deals with widespread devastation from the hurricane. At least 100 people have been killed, and millions are without power after Helene made landfall as the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend region.
The focus of rescue efforts in recent days has been on the devastating flooding in western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Unprecedented rainfall in the Appalachian Mountain areas of both states has left thousands cut off and isolated, posing challenges for first responders trying to reach those in need of help. North Carolina is a key state for Harris and Democrats in the upcoming fall election as she aims to flip a state that has gone Republican in presidential elections since 2008. Her opponent, Donald Trump, has criticized her and President Joe Biden for continuing with their plans amid the devastation.
Despite the criticism, Trump also continued with his scheduled campaign rallies. Harris, who was scheduled to make two campaign stops in Nevada on Monday, diverted her plans to focus on the hurricane’s impact and ensure affected communities receive the help they need to recover and rebuild. During a rally in Las Vegas, she expressed support for these communities and pledged to stand with them throughout the recovery process.
Harris was briefed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell while traveling on Air Force Two from California to Nevada. She also spoke with governors of North Carolina, Florida, and Georgia, reassuring them of the Biden administration’s support for impacted communities. Harris intends to visit affected areas as soon as possible without disrupting emergency response operations and has pledged to provide whatever help is needed in the coming days and weeks.
Trump is expected to visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday for a briefing on the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene and to facilitate the distribution of relief supplies. The competing responses of Harris and Trump reflect the challenges faced by political leaders during natural disasters, with both prioritizing the needs of affected communities while continuing their campaign activities. The ongoing impacts of Hurricane Helene serve as a reminder of the importance of emergency preparedness and response in the face of increasingly severe weather events.
