President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are visiting southeastern U.S. states affected by Hurricane Helene, which has resulted in a rising death toll of 180. Biden surveyed the damage by helicopter over North and South Carolina, where hundreds remain missing and search-and-rescue teams are struggling to reach remote areas.
In response to the crisis, Biden has deployed 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the ongoing efforts of 6,000 National Guard members and 4,800 federal aid workers across six states. Aid is being delivered through airdrops and by mules, with officials stating that the recovery could take years.
During his aerial tour of North Carolina, Biden expressed concern for the unaccounted individuals, highlighting the challenges posed by a lack of cell phone coverage. Harris, campaigning as the Democratic presidential nominee, visited Georgia, another crucial swing state for the upcoming elections. In contrast, Republican nominee Donald Trump had also traveled to Georgia earlier in the week.
Hurricane Helene made landfall as a category four storm, particularly devastating North Carolina, where six months’ worth of rain fell. The storm is now considered one of the deadliest in recent U.S. history, surpassing Hurricane Ian’s casualty count. Many areas have reported severe flooding, leading to homes and infrastructure being washed away.
In Tennessee, authorities are investigating a plastics factory where 11 workers were swept away by floodwaters. Two have been confirmed dead, while four remain missing. Over a million people across affected states were reported to be without power.
Initial analyses indicate that human-induced climate change likely exacerbated the storm’s rainfall, breaking records set during previous disasters. The Atlantic hurricane season continues through November, raising concerns for further impacts.