President Joe Biden on Wednesday traveled to North and South Carolina to survey damage and receive an operational briefing from local authorities less than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and tore through much of the Southeast. 

What You Need To Know

  • President Joe Biden on Wednesday traveled to North and South Carolina to survey damage and receive an operational briefing from local authorities less than a week after Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida and tore through much of the Southeast
  • At the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, Biden announced that he approved North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for the federal government to pay for debris removal and emergency protective measures in the state for the first six months of the process
  • Ahead of his stop at the Emergency Operations Center, Biden got a firsthand look at the damage on the ground in the Carolinas through an aerial tour that took the president over the storm-ravaged western part of the state
  • Earlier on Wednesday, before departing for the Southeast, Biden announced he was directing the Department of Defense to deploy 1,000 soldiers to help assist with local recovery efforts

Delivering remarks at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, Biden announced that he approved Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for the federal government to pay for debris removal and emergency protective measures in the state for the first six months of the process. 

“I’m here to say, the United States, the nation, has your back, the nation has your back,” Biden said. “We’re not leaving till you’re back on your feet completely.” 

The president used his remarks on Wednesday to denounce attempts to politicize the disaster. Former President Donald Trump on Monday criticized the Biden administration’s response to the crisis, including alleging that Georgia Republican Gov. Brian Kemp had a hard time getting Biden on the phone despite the governor saying himself that he had spoken to the president. 

“There are no Democrats or Republicans, there are only Americans,” Biden said on Wednesday. “And our job is to help as many people as we can, as quickly as we can and as thoroughly as we can.” 

Ahead of his stop at the Emergency Operations Center, Biden got a firsthand look at the damage on the ground in the Carolinas through an aerial tour that took the president over the storm-ravaged western part of the state. 

“Much of Asheville was underwater, much of it was underwater,” Biden recalled about the western North Carolina city. 

The president went on to argue that his tour was evidence of the “fury” of climate change, taking aim at some in the GOP who have questioned its existence or impact.  

“Nobody can deny the impact of the climate crisis anymore, at least I hope they don’t,” Biden said. “They must be brain dead if they do.” 

Before touching down in North Carolina on Wednesday, Biden also spoke with state and local officials in Greenville, S.C. 

Earlier on Wednesday, before departing for the Southeast, Biden announced he was directing the Department of Defense to deploy 1,000 active-duty soldiers to help assist with local recovery efforts.

“They’re going to speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies like food, water, medicine to isolated communities over what the Pentagon calls ‘the last tactical mile,’” Biden said. “Simply put, we’ve got the capabilities to get the job job and we’re gonna get it done as fast as possible.” 

Biden also noted Starlink satellites systems are available to help with communication. 

Nearly a week since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a category 4 hurricane and swept through the Southeastern part of the country, the death toll topped 175 people with scores still missing as of Wednesday. Biden on Wednesday noted that 70 people in North Carolina alone have been killed. Many in impacted states still lack power, running water and cellphone service. 

As of Wednesday morning, the White House said more than 4,800 federal personnel, including more than 1,200 in North Carolina, have been dispatched to assist with efforts on the ground across impacted states. The Tar Heel State has received 200 federal ambulances as well, according to the White House.  

The Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA, has shipped over 8.5 million meals, 7 million liters of water, 150 generators and over 220,000 tarps to local communities. 

Cooper told Biden during Wednesday’s briefing that more than 1,000 National Guard soldiers have rescued more than 1,400 people while also distributing food and water. 

“This is going to be a long and difficult recovery,” the North Carolina governor said. “But talking with person after person in western North Carolina, I know, I know, that we can come back and we will come back.” 

Biden is scheduled to head to Florida and Georgia on Thursday to survey the damage in those states. Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday got a look at damage on the ground in Georgia – not only a storm-stricken state but also a key 2024 battleground this election. Her opponent, Trump, took a trip to the state on Monday. 

Earlier on Wednesday, Biden told reporters that the last thing the nation needs on top of this natural disaster is a "man-made disaster," referring to the ongoing strikes by dockworkers and longshoremen at East Coast ports. 

Biden added that regional authorities have told him they are having trouble getting product they need for recovery from the storm.