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Former President Donald Trump arrived in the storm-ravaged swing state of Georgia Monday afternoon, where he is expected to speak on relief efforts. Trump and other Republicans have slammed the Biden administration on its response to Hurricane Helene.
President Joe Biden said he would visit impacted communities at a later date, so as not to disrupt response to the storm.
At least 116 people have been killed and hundreds more remain missing after the hurricane slammed into the southeast states, bringing catastrophic flooding.
In one hard-hit county in North Carolina – Buncombe County – at least 35 have died and fears are growing for around 600 people reported missing. Land slides have devastated southern Appalachia.
Deaths have also been reported in Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Virginia and Tennessee, since Helene made landfall in Florida last week and charted a deadly path through the US.
Now, with millions left without power, communications cut off and hundreds of roads in and out of the Carolinas closed due to damage, officials have warned of the challenges of getting crucial supplies such as water to those in need.
This comes as Tropical Storm Kirk is likely to become a hurricane on Tuesday.
Watch live: Trump speaks after Hurricane Helene brings devastation to home state Florida
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Julia Musto30 September 2024 18:57
Former President Donald Trump blasts Biden administration, Harris over Helene response
After touching down in Georgia early Monday afternoon, former President Donald Trump blasted the federal government over its response to impacts from Hurricane Helene.
Trump said that he had not personally reached out to the president, but claimed Georgia Governor Brian Kemp was having a “hard time” getting ahold of Biden.
“The Vice President is out campaigning, looking for money,” he said of Vice President Kamala Harris.
Julia Musto30 September 2024 18:30
Asheville previously hailed as a climate haven
Western North Carolina’s city of Asheville, which was decimated by Hurricane Helene, was previously hailed as a climate resilient city.
Julia Musto30 September 2024 18:20
NOAA satellite images show extent of power outages from Helene
Julia Musto30 September 2024 18:10
President Biden writes to assure survivors that the administration is here ‘as long as it takes'
Julia Musto30 September 2024 18:00
Images show North Carolina residents airlifted by National Guard
Julia Musto30 September 2024 17:49
Georgia congressional leaders write Biden in support of request for expedited major disaster declaration
Georgia’s congressional leaders are calling on President Joe Biden to “promptly consider Governor [Brian] Kemp’s request for a major disaster declaration.”
Both Kemp and Biden said they had been in touch on Sunday. On Monday, Biden said he had approved an emergency declaration for Georgia.
“I approved additional requests for the governors of North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, and for disaster declaration to pay for debris removal, provide financial assistance directly to survivors,” Biden said.
Kemp said Monday that the state had requested an expedited emergency disaster declaration from FEMA, which he was certain would be approved by the administration.
Julia Musto30 September 2024 17:48
North Carolina National Guard works to distribute food, water to first responders
Julia Musto30 September 2024 17:39
World Central Kitchen distributing free meals in Florida, Georgia
Julia Musto30 September 2024 17:29