President Joe Biden has mobilized more military personnel to help with the relief efforts in North Carolina.
In an official statement on Sunday, Biden said he had ordered 500 troops with “advanced technological assets” to travel to North Carolina.
“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,” the President Tweeted.
“1,500 troops will now support thousands of National Guardsman and federal personnel on the ground. My Administration will continue to stand with all impacted by these storms.”
An official press release was included with the Tweet, which stated that the Biden administration “has mobilized an intensive Federal response to ensure impacted communities have the resources and support they need.”
The release also states that the relief efforts have not and will not be coloured by political affiliation.
“As these communities brace for yet another catastrophic storm, and as part of my Administration’s solemn obligation to stand with impacted communities as they rebuild their lives, we will continue working hand-in-hand with local and state leaders—regardless of political party and no matter how long it takes.”
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.
— President Biden (@POTUS) October 6, 2024
My… pic.twitter.com/LBshva6C4o
On social media, responses to the announcement were harsh.
“Why did it take this long?” asked filmmaker Robby Starbuck.
“This is an admission that you know you haven’t done enough. My team has reached some of the hardest areas to reach in NC and TN. All have told my team that they haven’t seen federal support. That’s shameful.”
“Think of the countless lives that could have been saved if you had taken action 10 days ago,” Tweeted another user.
“The true heroes are the volunteers and communities who sprang into action in the aftermath of the hurricane, working tirelessly to save as many lives as possible despite your efforts to hinder and halt their life-saving efforts. America recognizes the real heroes in times of disaster, and your delayed response serves as a stark reminder of the failures of your administration and that of Harris. Shame on you and Harris.”
The death toll has now passed 230, making Hurricane Helene the deadliest since Katrina in 2005, which killed 1,850 people.
In North Carolina, around 75,000 people are still without power and whole communities have still not received any government help, over ten days after hurricane made landfall in Florida.
One such community, Bat Cave, North Carolina, is still waiting for FEMA help, the New York Post reported on Saturday.
The federal government has been accused of prioritising the well-being of Ukrainians and Israelis overseas, and of illegal aliens at home, over the residents of the Carolinas and Georgia.
Many have suggested the faltering response may in fact be deliberate, because the areas worst affected by the disaster are all largely Republican.
There have been accusations that civilians attempting to provide supplies using helicopters and aid search and rescue have been turned away or even arrested for “interfering” in the disaster-response.
Multiple whistleblowers have now come forward from within FEMA to criticize its response to Hurricane Helene.
On Saturday, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene promised that FEMA director Deanne Criswell will be held to account for her agency’s failures.