Vice President Kamala Harris visited North Carolina to meet with local officials and families impacted by Hurricane Helene. She provided updates on a major disaster declaration that unlocked more funds for affected individuals in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and 27 counties throughout the state. Harris met with families, volunteers at a donation center, and National Guard members loading military aircraft with aid. She praised the volunteers for their heroic efforts in helping those in need.
Harris’ visit comes ahead of the 2024 presidential election in which she is locked in a tight race with Republican nominee Donald Trump. North Carolina is considered a pivotal swing state, and the Biden administration’s response efforts could impact the race. FEMA has offered support to North Carolina with $26 million in housing and assistance, as well as meals and water. Governor Roy Cooper thanked FEMA for their response to the disaster.
FEMA has dispatched over 1,500 workers and provided millions of meals, water, generators, and tarps to affected areas. President Biden has called on Congress to pass disaster relief funding to replenish critical programs. Helene is one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history, with at least 214 deaths and hundreds still missing. Trump has criticized the response to the hurricane, making it a focal point of the campaign.
Harris has promised ongoing federal support for flood recovery efforts in Augusta, Georgia. The Biden administration has approved requests from multiple states for federal aid in response to the hurricane. The response to Helene has become a key issue in the 2024 presidential election, with both parties seeking to leverage it for political gain.
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