U.S. President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris embarked today on a tour of the Southeastern United States, where hurricane Helen caused extensive damage and has claimed the lives of 177 people so far.
“We must urgently initiate the recovery process, as people are terrified,” Biden stated, as reported by ABC News.
Biden’s visit to North Carolina, expected to be pivotal for success in next month’s presidential election, will include an aerial survey of Asheville in the western part of the state, which was one of the hardest-hit areas during the disaster.
On Tuesday, Biden indicated that the costs associated with the devastating storm could reach into the billions of dollars, with around 1.2 million customers still without power in some southern states.
The president also mentioned that he has dispatched up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to support the North Carolina National Guard in their efforts to cope with the aftermath of Hurricane Helen.
Biden will also visit South Carolina and plans to travel to Georgia and Florida as soon as possible.
Hurricane Helen has become the second deadliest hurricane to strike the United States in the last 55 years, with over 170 fatalities reported across six states: Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, and Tennessee.
Hundreds of people are still unaccounted for following the hurricane due to power outages and communication difficulties, according to Fox News.
As noted by the media outlet, the deadliest hurricane to hit the U.S. was Hurricane Katrina in 2005, which was even more severe than Hurricane Camille that struck the Gulf Coast in August 1969.
Of course, what should be mentioned, is that presidential candidate Donald Trump is also going to visit all of the areas hit by Helen.
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Source: B92
Photo: AP/Luis Santana