Vice President Kamala Harris is visiting North Carolina on Saturday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, just one day after Donald Trump toured the area and spread false claims about the federal response.
Earlier in the week, Harris visited Georgia, where she helped distribute meals, surveyed the destruction, and offered support to families severely affected by the storm. President Joe Biden also visited the disaster-stricken areas. Over two days, Biden toured parts of the Carolinas, Florida, and Georgia, meeting with farmers who lost their crops and examining the extensive damage.
Both Harris and Biden have been vocal about the government's efforts to aid the Southeast. The administration has pledged to cover the costs of rescue and recovery operations for several months, as many states struggle to recover from the widespread devastation.
In a letter sent late Friday to congressional leaders, Biden stated that while FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund currently has the resources needed to meet immediate demands, it could face a shortfall by the end of the year. He also urged lawmakers to replenish funding for the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program.
With over 200 lives lost, Hurricane Helene is the deadliest storm to strike the U.S. mainland since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Scientists continue to warn that such extreme weather events will become more frequent due to climate change.
In this heated election year, even the response to natural disasters has become politicized. Trump has falsely claimed that the Biden administration has neglected Republican regions affected by the storm, accusing the government of inadequate support. He also perpetuated climate change denial by calling it "one of the great scams of all time."
During a visit to Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump criticized the federal response, alleging "lousy treatment to North Carolina." However, the state's Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, confirmed that over 50,000 residents have already registered for FEMA assistance, with around $6 billion distributed for relief efforts.
Biden, on the other hand, has suggested that the Republican House speaker is delaying crucial disaster funding.
For Harris, this visit represents a key moment in her White House campaign. She is stepping into a role typically associated with Biden, who has often been the face of empathy during natural disasters, such as tornadoes, wildfires, and tropical storms.
Harris expressed her desire to personally witness the devastation, stating, "The damage is extraordinary." She commended the community spirit, saying, "People are coming together, helping perfect strangers," and emphasized the shared values that unite people during such crises.
"We are here for the long haul," she said, signaling the administration's continued commitment to recovery efforts.
Hurricane Helene Causes Widespread Destruction Across Southeastern US