Former President Donald Trump’s campaign announced on Sunday that he plans to visit several areas of the country ravaged by Hurricane Helene, as Americans are asking why President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris haven’t done so already.
“President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States, will visit Valdosta, Georgia to receive a briefing on the devastation of Hurricane Helene, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies, and deliver remarks to the press,” the Trump campaign announced in a press release.
Hurricane Helene has been likened to Hurricane Katrina due to the extensive destruction it has caused across large parts of the American South. The storm has inflicted significant damage deep inland, with rural areas in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Florida being especially hard hit.
As of Sunday morning, the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) had activated over 500 soldiers and airmen, along with more than 200 vehicles and aircraft, to aid in rescue operations. So far, officials have conducted 16 air missions, successfully rescuing 119 individuals and 11 pets. National Guard troops in other states have also been activated and pressed into service to provide rescue and support to state and local agencies and officials.
Others on social media wondered where Biden and Harris were, and what measures were being taken at the federal level to mitigate the damage and provide support to the effective areas.
On Sunday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency in North Carolina to aid in addressing the aftermath of the storm. The Biden administration had previously declared emergencies for Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
“We will do all we can to help North Carolina officials respond to the health impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Becerra said. “We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as with our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”
Prior to his rally in Erie, Pa., on Sunday, former President Trump led supporters in a prayer for those affected by the disaster.
“Before we begin, I’d like to send my love and prayers to the families of those who have died, a lot of death, and all of those who are displaced and suffering in the wake of the hurricanes’ destruction in the South, especially in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and in particular western North Carolina, took a tremendous hit,” Trump told the rally crowd.
“It’s been absolutely devastating. And God be with you all. It’s been a rough one. That was a big monster hurricane and was a lot … harder than anyone even thought possible. So, we want to just extend our best wishes to everybody,” he continued.
