President Biden Surveys Hurricane Helene Damage as Casualties Rise to 200 in Southeastern United States
President Biden is surveying Hurricane Helene’s damage in Florida and Georgia, where the death toll has reached 200. He has promised federal financial assistance for disaster recovery and is directing the deployment of active-duty soldiers to aid affected regions. His visit highlights the federal response to the disaster as communities continue to struggle with severe impacts and loss of basic services.
President Biden is currently visiting Florida and Georgia to assess the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which has resulted in a tragic death toll of 200 and left communities grappling with the aftermath. This visit marks the President’s second consecutive day of surveying hurricane impacts in the Southeast, following his aerial tour of the Carolinas on Wednesday, where he observed flood damage from locations such as Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina, and engaged with emergency response officials in Raleigh. During this visit, President Biden confirmed that the federal government will assume full responsibility for covering all debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for six months. He pledged the same assistance for Florida and Georgia over the next 90 days. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris has also been involved, visiting Augusta, Georgia, to receive briefings on the hurricane’s aftermath. As the day progresses, President Biden’s first stop in Florida was Tallahassee, followed by an aerial tour towards Perry, where he noted that the Big Bend area was severely impacted as Hurricane Helene made landfall as a Category 4 storm. An on-site briefing in Keaton Beach revealed the extent of the devastation, with debris littering the area, where he was joined by Republican Senator Rick Scott. Following his engagements in Florida, President Biden is anticipated to move to Georgia for an on-the-ground assessment in Ray City, where he will address the damage observed and outline the actions being taken by the federal government. Additionally, he announced a directive for the Pentagon to dispatch up to 1,000 active-duty military personnel to aid in the delivery of essential supplies to isolated communities across Georgia, Florida, and the Carolinas. Both President Biden and congressional leaders have indicated that Congress will likely need to consider supplemental funding to effectively respond to the extensive damage and humanitarian crisis resulting from the natural disaster.
Hurricane Helene, which struck the southeastern United States, has caused catastrophic damage across several states, leading to a high number of fatalities and many residents still missing. The devastation has highlighted the necessity for immediate federal assistance in the form of disaster relief and recovery efforts. The President’s visit is intended to offer support and assess governmental response strategies to assist affected communities and rectify infrastructure challenges, such as power outages and impassable roads.
In summary, President Biden’s ongoing assessments of Hurricane Helene’s damage in Florida and Georgia underscore the federal government’s commitment to supporting affected states during this crisis. With substantial federal funding allocations and military aid directive, the administration aims to facilitate recovery efforts and provide vital assistance to those in need. The tragic death toll serves as a stark reminder of the storm’s severity, emphasizing the ongoing humanitarian challenges faced by the impacted communities.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
