Biden Arrives in South Carolina to Assess Helene Damage and Deploys 1,000 Troops, Reports Reuters

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Stephanie Kelly

GREER, South Carolina – President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia on Wednesday to assess the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, which has resulted in over 160 fatalities in the Southeast.

Upon arriving in Greer, South Carolina, Biden was greeted by Governor Henry McMaster, Senator Lindsey Graham, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper, among other officials. He engaged in what appeared to be a serious discussion with the group on the tarmac before taking off for an aerial tour of the affected areas.

Before departing from Washington, Biden authorized the immediate deployment of up to 1,000 active-duty troops to aid in response and recovery efforts. According to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, search-and-rescue teams have conducted nearly 1,500 structural assessments and completed hundreds of rescues and evacuations.

Former President Donald Trump, who is running against Harris in the upcoming election, incorrectly claimed that Biden has not adequately responded to the hurricane’s impact, a statement local officials have rebuffed.

Harris also arrived in Georgia and plans to visit North Carolina in the coming days. Biden is scheduled to receive updates in Raleigh, North Carolina, as rescue efforts continue in the state’s mountainous regions before traveling to Georgia and Florida on Thursday, as noted by White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre.

To date, over $10 million has been allocated to aid those affected by Hurricane Helene, according to Jean-Pierre. Additionally, more than 4,800 personnel from various federal agencies have been dispatched to assist in recovery, providing 8.8 million meals, over 7.4 million liters of water, and 150 emergency power generators, Mayorkas reported.

However, he cautioned that federal funding may fall short if another hurricane strikes. "We are responding to the current situation, but we must also consider what lies ahead," Mayorkas stated. "We anticipate the risk of another hurricane, and FEMA lacks the funds to navigate the remainder of the season."

Potential Election Effects

North Carolina and Georgia are pivotal battlegrounds in the upcoming election on November 5, which is predicted to be decided by narrow margins. National polls show Harris leading Trump by 2.6 percentage points, according to aggregate data.

In North Carolina, election officials are working diligently to ensure that the over 7 million registered voters can participate in the upcoming federal, state, and local elections.

Earlier this week, Trump visited Georgia. Typically, presidents and candidates avoid visiting regions hit by disasters immediately due to concerns about distracting from rescue operations and diverting resources from local emergency responders.

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Thursday, striking as a formidable Category 4 hurricane before moving through the Southeastern United States for several days. In response, Biden issued major disaster declarations for multiple states, enabling survivors to seek federal assistance. The White House has also been in touch with numerous officials across North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida.

Biden may call on Congress to reconvene for a special session to secure additional funding for aid, as he indicated earlier this week.

Mayorkas emphasized that the rebuilding process following Hurricane Helene will be extensive and costly, likely requiring several years to complete.