President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will both head to the Southeast on Wednesday to survey damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, which so far is confirmed to have killed 166 people.
The president said Tuesday that the cost of the massive storm could stretch into the billions of dollars. “We have to jump start this recovery process,” Biden said. “People are scared to death. This is urgent.”
Biden’s scheduled visit to North Carolina — which is expected to be a pivotal battleground state in next month’s presidential election — and South Carolina will include an aerial tour of Asheville in western North Carolina, which was one of the region’s worst hit areas.
“I’ve ensured my travel will not disrupt the ongoing response,” Biden said in a post to X. “I plan to travel to Georgia and Florida as soon as possible.”
Len Frisbee dumps a wheelbarrow of dirt as he helps with clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Oct. 1, 2024, in Hot Springs, N.C.
Jeff Roberson/AP
Harris will travel to Georgia, another battleground state.
“The Vice President will also provide updates on Federal actions that are being taken to support emergency response and recovery efforts in Georgia and several other states throughout the southeast,” her office said in a statement.
Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for following Helene’s passage. More than 150,000 households have registered for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Frank Matranga — an agency representative — said.
That number is expected to increase in the coming days, Matranga said. He noted that almost 2 million ready-to-eat meals and more than a million liters of water have been sent to the hardest-hit areas.
Wednesday’s visits by Biden and Harris come shortly after former President Donald Trump traveled to devastated Valdosta, Georgia, to see Helene’s destruction firsthand.
President Joe Biden gives an update on the Hurricane Helene response and recovery efforts at the White House in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 30, 2024.
Evelyn Hockstein/Reuters
Trump also used the Monday visit to attack his Democratic opponents over their emergency response efforts.
“As you know, our country is in the final weeks of a hard-fought national election,” Trump said while in Valdosta.
“But in a time like this, when a crisis hits, when our fellow citizens cry out in need, none of that matters. We’re not talking about politics now. We have to all get together and get this solved. We need a lot of help. They have to have a lot of help down here.”
Trump accused Biden and Harris of “being very nonresponsive,” he said, claiming both had failed to speak to Georgia’s Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, though Kemp said they had.
Republican presidential nominee and former President Donald Trump is pictured during a visit to Valdosta, Georgia, on Sept. 30, 2024 following the passage of Hurricane Helene.
Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images
The president hit back at the criticism. “Let me get this straight — he’s lying,” Biden said during an Oval Office briefing with reporters, framing Trump’s remarks as “irresponsible.”
“I don’t know why he does this, and the reason I get so angry about it — I don’t care about what he says about me, I care what he communicates to the people that are in need. He implies that we’re not doing everything possible. We are. We are.”
ABC News’ Cheyenne Haslett contributed to this report.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to tour areas affected by Hurricane Helene in the Southeastern United States in the coming days. The Category 4 hurricane made landfall earlier this week, causing widespread devastation and leaving thousands of people without power or access to basic necessities.
The President and Vice President’s visit comes as part of their commitment to providing support and assistance to those affected by natural disasters. They will be meeting with local officials, first responders, and residents to assess the damage and determine what resources are needed to help communities recover and rebuild.
Hurricane Helene brought strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges to coastal areas in Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. The storm caused flooding, downed trees, and power outages, making it difficult for emergency crews to reach those in need. The President and Vice President’s visit will help to bring attention to the ongoing recovery efforts and ensure that federal resources are being deployed effectively.
In addition to touring the affected areas, President Biden and Vice President Harris will also be meeting with FEMA officials and other agencies involved in the disaster response. They will be discussing ways to expedite aid and support for those impacted by the storm, including providing temporary housing, food assistance, and financial aid to help with rebuilding efforts.
The President has already declared a state of emergency in the affected states, allowing for federal assistance to be provided quickly and efficiently. The administration is working closely with state and local officials to coordinate relief efforts and ensure that all necessary resources are being mobilized to help those in need.
As the Southeastern United States begins the long process of recovery from Hurricane Helene, President Biden and Vice President Harris are committed to standing with the affected communities and providing the support they need to rebuild and recover. Their visit will not only bring attention to the devastation caused by the storm but also highlight the resilience and strength of those who are working tirelessly to rebuild their lives in the aftermath of this natural disaster.
