On October 6th, US President Biden ordered the deployment of 500 active-duty military personnel to the western part of North Carolina to assist in the post-disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts in the area ravaged by Hurricane Helene.
Prior to issuing this order, Biden had already dispatched nearly a thousand soldiers to the region, bringing the total number of troops sent to North Carolina for rescue efforts to nearly 1,500.
This mobilization of troops is just a part of the federal government’s personnel support in response to the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. The White House stated that it had previously deployed over 6,100 National Guard members and more than 7,000 federal employees to assist in this effort.
In a statement released on Sunday, the White House said, “The Biden-Harris administration is mobilizing all relevant resources to support the families who have begun the road to rebuilding.”
Previously, Biden announced that the federal government would cover “100%” of the costs for the six-month debris removal and emergency protective measures in North Carolina. The Biden administration has also allocated over $137 million in federal funds, including $100 million for transportation, to rebuild the damaged roads and bridges in North Carolina.
Following a request for more assistance from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper and a request from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to deploy additional forces, the White House issued this reinforcement order on Sunday.
So far, Hurricane Helene has claimed the lives of 227 people, with North Carolina alone accounting for 114 deaths. It is the deadliest hurricane to hit the continental United States since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
The Biden administration praised its efforts on the ground in the disaster zone and its collaboration with local officials. They also noted that in the past few days, the federal government has been in contact with nearly 450 state, city, and county officials in the affected areas to ensure they receive the necessary support and resources.
Following the hurricane, Biden, Vice President Harris, and former President Trump have all visited some of the affected areas to offer condolences to the local residents and inspect the post-disaster rebuilding efforts.