President Biden stated that as long as rescue and recovery efforts are not affected, he will visit areas impacted by Hurricane “Helen” (also spelled as Heilin or Heilina) this week.
On Sunday (September 29), Biden once again received a briefing on the devastating impact of this storm on large parts of the southeastern region. During a brief exchange with reporters, he described the storm’s impact as “shocking” and mentioned that the government is providing “everything we have” to assist states in dealing with the storm.
Biden plans to deliver a speech at the White House on Monday outlining the government’s response measures.
The White House also stated that Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the hurricane-affected areas “as soon as practicable without disrupting emergency response operations.” At a rally held in Las Vegas on Sunday evening, Harris expressed her condolences to those affected by Hurricane “Helen” and stated, “I know all of you are praying for those most impacted by the hurricane and send heartfelt sympathies.”
She added, “We will stand with these communities until they can rebuild their homes.”
Harris had originally planned to spend Sunday night in Las Vegas and hold a campaign event in the city on Monday, but her office announced that she would return to Washington early to attend a briefing at the Federal Emergency Management Agency headquarters regarding the losses caused by Hurricane “Helen.”
A county in Asheville, North Carolina reported earlier on Sunday that the hurricane had resulted in 30 deaths, bringing the total death toll across multiple states to at least 91.
On Sunday evening, Biden called several state and local government officials in hurricane-affected areas, including Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, Valdosta, Georgia Mayor Scott Matheson, and John Louk, the Emergency Management Director of Taylor County, Florida.
According to the White House, Biden assured the officials that the government will continue to support affected communities no matter how long it takes.
Most of Biden’s weekend was spent at his beachfront villa in Delaware. He frequently received updates on the storm from FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, Homeland Security Advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall, and other officials. The White House mentioned that Harris also received similar briefings while aboard Air Force Two.
The White House stated that President Biden directed Criswell to explore ways to expedite support to isolated communities that are struggling to receive aid.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign team announced early on Sunday that he would visit Valdosta, Georgia on Monday to assess the impact of Hurricane “Helen” on the state. Georgia was one of the fiercely contested battlegrounds in the November presidential election, making it crucial.
The Trump campaign team mentioned that Trump is expected to receive situational briefings, assist in the distribution of relief supplies, and deliver a speech during his visit.
(Adapted from reporting by The Associated Press)