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    • President Biden promises Helene help “as long as it takes”
    Tennessee

    President Biden promises Helene help “as long as it takes”

    Eira Gwyneth Posted on

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    WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden reassured communities affected by Hurricane Helene that “the nation is behind you” and that help is on the way in a speech at the White House on Monday.

    “We will continue to provide resources like food, water, communications and life-saving equipment,” Biden said. “I’m serious – however long it takes to get this job done.”

    He also said he was committed to traveling to affected communities later this week.

    “I was told it would be disruptive if I did it now,” he said.

    Authorities are dealing with the aftermath of the storm, which caused widespread devastation and power outages across the southeast and killed at least 100 people. Biden, who said he has been in touch with governors, mayors and local leaders, said 600 people are still missing.

    The president said he had directed his team to “deploy every available resource as quickly as possible to your communities to rescue, recover and begin rebuilding.”

    In addition to FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission is participating in the effort to help build communications capacity. The National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers and the Defense Department would all provide resources to rescue and assist in clearing debris and delivering life-saving supplies, he said.

    Millions of people in several states are struggling with power outages, destroyed roads and bridges and flattened buildings. The damage occurred in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Tennessee and Virginia.

    More: How can I help those affected by Hurricane Helene? Here are ways you can donate

    The record-breaking storm hit Florida on Thursday as a hurricane with winds of 140 mph and has since weakened to a post-tropical cyclone with winds of 25 mph.

    On Sunday, Biden approved major disaster declarations for the states of Florida and North Carolina, allowing survivors to immediately access funds and begin recovery efforts. People in 17 counties in Florida and 25 counties in North Carolina, including the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, can now apply for assistance from FEMA, according to a White House fact sheet.

    FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell visited Florida over the weekend to assess the damage along with local and state officials. According to the White House, it continued assessing damage in parts of Georgia on Sunday and will leave for North Carolina on Monday.

    More: Hurricanes again and again: Natural disasters “no longer feel natural”

    According to the White House, more than 3,300 employees from across the federal workforce are deployed supporting Hurricane Helene relief efforts across states.

    Vice President Kamala Harris planned to cut short her campaign trip to Nevada on Monday and will visit FEMA headquarters to learn about federal actions being taken to support emergency response and recovery, a White House official said.

    Contribution: Reuters

    Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is the White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal

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    Eira Gwyneth
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