As the nation grapples with the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, President Joe Biden announced that he intends to visit the affected regions later this week.
This comes as he faced questions about his decision to spend the storm weekend at his beach house.
“I’ve informed the governor of North Carolina that I’ll be heading down there, and I anticipate arriving by Wednesday or Thursday, once it’s safe for me to do so,” Biden shared with reporters at the White House.
He emphasized his commitment to traveling to the impacted areas as soon as possible but acknowledged that his presence could be disruptive at the moment.
Biden Defends His Actions During the Hurricane
When pressed about his leadership during the hurricane while at his Rehoboth Beach home, the president defended his actions.
“I was in command; I spent at least two hours on the phone yesterday and the day before. That’s how I commanded the situation—it’s called a telephone,” he stated.
Biden highlighted his conversations with the governors of Georgia and North Carolina, both of which are among the states hardest hit by the storm.
Tragically, the storm has claimed at least 121 lives across six states, with the death toll expected to rise as the extent of the devastation becomes clearer.
The storm’s impact has spanned from Florida’s Gulf Coast all the way up to the Appalachian Mountains in Virginia, leaving over 600 individuals unaccounted for.
Relief Efforts Underway Amidst Destruction
“We’re not leaving until the job is done,” Biden reassured the public.
However, critical infrastructure has been severely affected, with sections of major interstates like I-64 rendered impassable, complicating the delivery of necessary supplies.
Local and federal officials, including the National Guard, are working diligently to provide relief.
Currently, over 460,000 people are without power, and more than 1,000 individuals have sought refuge in 24 shelters.
In response to the crisis, search and rescue teams from 19 states, along with federal agencies, have descended upon North Carolina. Governor Roy Cooper mentioned that some roads might take months to repair.
Trump’s Visit and Harris’s Change of Plans
In related news, former President Donald Trump is set to visit Georgia on Monday to discuss relief efforts for hurricane victims.
When asked whether Trump’s visit could be disruptive, Biden refrained from commenting, stating, “I have no idea.”
Additionally, Vice President Kamala Harris has canceled her campaign stops for Monday to return to Washington D.C. for briefings on Hurricane Helene.
She is expected to leave Las Vegas in the morning and participate in a FEMA briefing that afternoon.
Harris also plans to visit the devastated areas once it is appropriate and won’t hinder emergency response operations.
Economic Impact and Damage Estimates
Estimates of the damage caused by the hurricane range dramatically, with projections between $15 billion and over $100 billion.
The storm has severely impacted water systems, communications, and essential transportation routes, and officials are still assessing the full extent of property damage and economic losses.
As of Sunday, approximately 2.7 million customers across the South were without power, a significant decrease from Friday’s figures.
The U.S. Energy Department reported this reduction came after unprecedented storm surges and intense winds that extended hundreds of miles inland.
The situation continues to evolve as recovery efforts progress and the true scope of the disaster is revealed.
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