
Some might say it’s too little too late, but President Joe Biden is finally taking Hurricane Helene recovery efforts seriously. The president stepped up in recent days and ordered an additional 500 troops to be sent to North Carolina to help people struggling to rebuild their lives.
At a glance:
- President Biden has ordered 500 additional active-duty troops to assist with Hurricane Helene relief in North Carolina.
- Over 1,500 active-duty troops, 6,000 National Guard members, and 7,000 federal personnel are now aiding relief efforts.
- Criticism over delayed federal response persists as local residents express frustration.
In response to a request from North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, President Joe Biden has ordered 500 more active-duty troops to assist with ongoing Hurricane Helene relief efforts. This brings the total number of active-duty military personnel aiding recovery efforts in North Carolina to 1,500, alongside over 6,000 National Guard members and more than 7,000 federal personnel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Co8Rdub6y7c
The White House issued a press release on Sunday, emphasizing that the Biden administration is “mobilizing all relevant resources” to support affected families in their recovery and rebuilding efforts. The president’s latest order follows an earlier deployment of up to 1,000 troops, bringing essential aid such as food and water to hurricane-ravaged areas.
https://x.com/Wills_Robinson/status/1842993671911993566
In the statement, the administration highlighted that over $137 million in federal assistance has already been distributed to survivors of Hurricane Helene, with thousands receiving help to “jumpstart” their recovery. The White House also noted its outreach to nearly 450 state and local officials across the hurricane-affected regions.
Despite the federal government’s efforts, some residents in the impacted areas have expressed dissatisfaction with the speed of the response. Jordan Lanning, an Asheville resident, criticized the Biden administration during an interview with Fox News, claiming it took “too long” for the president to respond to the crisis. Lanning stated that it took “five days for Biden to come here” and that residents felt abandoned, saying, “It’s them versus us.”
President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have toured various southeastern states, including South Carolina and Georgia, to observe the damage firsthand and meet with local officials. The administration has emphasized its commitment to staying with these communities throughout their recovery, regardless of how long it takes.
While the White House’s response has drawn praise from leaders across party lines, including South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, the sense of frustration among some local residents persists. Many believe that the response, especially from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), was not fast enough in addressing the immediate needs of affected communities.
FEMA has reported sending over $45 million to support hurricane recovery efforts, with North Carolina receiving over $17 million. However, complaints about the lack of federal presence in certain areas continue, especially from residents still struggling to rebuild after the storm.
As recovery operations move forward, the additional 500 troops will bolster the already significant federal response aimed at aiding North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene.