Washington.- The American president, Joe Bidenordered this Sunday the shipment of other 500 soldiers to western North Carolina to work on recovery efforts from the devastation left by the Hurricane Helene.
Through a statement, Biden reported that the troops add up to a thousand who were sent this week to the area, in response to the request of Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.
In addition to the 1,500 soldiers, there are more than 6,100 members of the National guard and more than seven thousand federal personnel in the area.
“My administration spares no resources to support families as they begin their path to reconstruction,” the president said.
Biden explained that he is being informed about Miltonthe tropical storm that has already become a category 1 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and that will predictably impact Florida this week.
Read also Tragedy in the US: Grandparents die hugging after a tree crushed them after Hurricane Helene
“I urge all Florida residents to listen to the local officials and make the necessary preparations,” said the president, who highlighted the work of his administration “to preposition resources that save lives before the storm,” he assured.
In a statement, the White House reported that federal assistance for survivors of Hurricane Helene now exceeds $137 million, in “one of the largest mobilizations of federal personnel, partners and resources in recent history.”
Helene entered on September 26 through the northwest of Florida as a category 4 hurricane and left a trail of more than 800 kilometers of devastation across states in the southeastern United States, with special intensity in North Carolina.
It also left at least 230 dead and dozens missing, becoming the deadliest hurricane in the North American country since Katrina of 2005.
Today, I ordered another 500 active-duty troops with advanced technological assets to move into Western North Carolina and assist with the response and recovery efforts. 1,500 troops will now support thousands of National Guardsman and federal personnel on the ground.
My… pic.twitter.com/LBshva6C4o
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2024
To date, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA, in English) has sent more than 14.9 million meals, more than 13.9 million liters of water, 157 generators and more than 505 thousand tarps to the region, he noted.
Those affected by the disaster in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process requesting federal assistance through FEMA, the White House said.
People who have suffered damage to their homes or personal property and live in the designated areas should request assistancewhich may include advance funds to help with essential items such as food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies, and other emergency supplies.
There are also funds available for repair damage to homes and personal property related to the storm. According to FEMA, there are more than 800 people who cannot return to their homes who are staying in shelters.
To date, more than 86% of the power outages and work is being done to restore mobile telephone coverage, with 80% coverage recovered.
Read also Hurricane Helene: 30 dead confirmed in a county in North Carolina; There are 90 deaths in the US
Helene has not only left a wave of destruction but has also snuck into the election campaign, with one month left until the presidential elections of November 5.
The catastrophe has served the Republican candidate, the former president Donald Trump (2017-2021), to unleash a wave of hoaxes about the government response to the tragedy.
In several of his events and interviews this week, Trump went so far as to point out that the federal government is not helping those affected by Helene because it has spent its funds to help migrants that arrive in the United States. He said, for example, that FEMA is only offering $750 to Americans who have seen their homes destroyed.
FEMA explained this week that this is only the immediate and advance help that survivors can receive to cover basic and urgent needs such as food and water.
Vice President and Democratic candidate Kamala Harris visited North Carolina on Saturday to assess the damage from the hurricane and highlighted the “extraordinary work” that FEMA has done on the ground.
Read also Florida, under the threat of Hurricane Helene
My Administration will continue to do whatever it takes to help those that need it most.
To date, we have delivered more than $137 million in Individual Assistance, more than 14.9 million meals and over 13.9 million liters of water to those affected by Hurricane Helene.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2024
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