President Biden Surveys Damage from Hurricane Helene in Florida and Georgia

President Biden is touring Florida and Georgia to assess Hurricane Helene’s extensive damage, with the death toll rising to 200 across several states. Following his visit to the Carolinas, he has announced federal aid and the deployment of active-duty military personnel to assist in recovery efforts.

On Thursday, President Biden continued his assessment of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, visiting Florida and Georgia to witness the devastation firsthand and to obtain updates on the federal, state, and local response efforts. This visit marks the second consecutive day of damage evaluation for the President in the Southeast, following his trip to the Carolinas on Wednesday, where he conducted an aerial survey of flood damage spanning from Greenville, South Carolina, to Asheville, North Carolina, and engaged with emergency response officials in Raleigh. During the Carolina visit, President Biden announced that the federal government would cover “100%” of debris removal and emergency protective measure costs in North Carolina for the next six months and extend similar support for Florida and Georgia for 90 days.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene’s catastrophic impact, which included significant loss of life and extensive property damage across several states, President Biden’s administration is actively mobilizing resources to aid recovery. The hurricane, classified as a Category 4 storm at landfall, primarily affected regions of Florida’s Big Bend and parts of Georgia, leading to widespread destruction and critical infrastructure challenges. Communities are grappling with the aftermath, including power outages, loss of running water, and impassable roads. The total death toll has tragically reached 200, with hundreds more reported as missing. Vice President Kamala Harris has also been engaged in recovery efforts, having visited affected areas in Georgia. The federal response involves deploying military personnel to assist with logistics in delivering necessities to isolated communities.

To summarize, President Biden is actively overseeing the federal response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, with urgent efforts to restore essential services and support affected communities. Both he and Vice President Harris are engaged in direct evaluation and coordination of recovery missions, demonstrating a commitment to federal assistance amidst this humanitarian crisis. Legislative measures for supplemental funding to address these urgent needs are anticipated as the situation develops.

Original Source: www.cbsnews.com