Kamala Harris flew across hurricane-hit North Carolina on Saturday, pledging the federal government’s continued support and calling out “the heroes among us” during her second visit to the affected areas in four days. praised.
The vice president began his visit by attending a conference with state and local officials in Charlotte, noting that the rescue efforts following Helen’s attack have left “those who are in the room and those who are still working outside 24 hours a day.” He expressed his gratitude to the people there.
Harris promised continued support from the federal government and added praise for “strangers helping each other, giving people shelter, food, friendship and companionship.”
Her visit came a day after President Donald Trump visited the same area and criticized the federal government’s response to the devastated Appalachian region, where 200 people are confirmed dead from the storm.
During a stop in Fayetteville, North Carolina, on Thursday, President Trump reiterated his dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response, citing “particularly the terrible treatment of North Carolina.”
President Trump also reiterated his stance on climate change in the aftermath of Helen, calling it “one of the greatest frauds in history.” Climate scientists are overwhelmingly clear that as a result of global warming, storms like Helen are becoming more intense, carrying more moisture and, as a result, producing more rainfall.
After the briefing, Harris helped pack toiletries into aid kits at a distribution center, where she met with survivors of hard-hit Asheville.
“Okay, you’re going to put me to work right away,” she told the volunteer paramedics. I spoke with a woman from Asheville and she said, “We’ve been here for a long time.”
A woman in a green T-shirt explained how the process works, gesturing to Melissa Funderbank, one of the truck drivers.
“You are all heroes among us,” Harris told Funderbank.
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper said this week that more than 50,000 people have signed up for Fema assistance and about $6 million has been paid out.
Cooper said Saturday that the state is “deeply appreciative of federal resources.” Fema has been on the ground with us since the beginning,” he said, referring to the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Presidential candidates and the president himself have struggled to demonstrate concern for victims of disasters, as past disasters have proven to be of great political importance in the run-up to elections.
But in this heated election year, the aftermath of Helen is especially tense. North Carolina is bordered by South Carolina and Georgia, both states that are extremely important to candidates in their strategy to win the White House.
Harris was in Georgia earlier this week helping distribute meals, touring damage sites and comforting families hit hard by the storm. Joe Biden also visited the region, traveling to Florida and Georgia to survey damage and meet with farmers whose crops were destroyed.
In a letter to Congressional leaders, Biden said Fema’s disaster relief fund “has the funding we need right now to meet immediate needs, but we face a funding gap at the end of the year.” Ta.
