President Joe Biden assured the residents of states impacted by Hurricane Helene that federal agents will remain in the affected areas until the job is complete. During a press conference at the White House on Sept. 30, he stated, “I’ve directed my team to provide every available resource as fast as possible to your communities, to rescue, recover, and to begin rebuilding.” This includes assistance from FEMA, the Federal Communications Commission, the National Guard, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Department of Defense.
Biden emphasized the commitment to providing support, with over 3600 personnel already deployed and more joining each day. FEMA and the Small Business Administration are on-site, aiding residents whose homes and businesses were devastated. Federal search and rescue teams are working tirelessly alongside state and local partners to locate all missing individuals.
The president mentioned that FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Asheville, North Carolina, and will remain there for the foreseeable future. He expressed his desire to visit the impacted areas but acknowledged that it would be disruptive at the moment. Biden emphasized the importance of not diverting any response assets needed to address the crisis.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a powerful Category 4 storm, causing widespread damage across multiple states. The storm resulted in significant casualties and left hundreds unaccounted for. Biden approved emergency declarations for several states and additional disaster declaration requests to aid in recovery efforts.
He mentioned the potential need for supplemental funding from Congress to support FEMA’s ongoing response but did not specify an amount. When asked about calling Congress back for a special session, Biden indicated that he may make that request but no decisions have been finalized.
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