Despite having just spent the day in the storm zone, President Joe Biden appeared perplexed when a reporter inquired about aid for states affected by a catastrophic hurricane on Thursday.
Biden had recently returned from a journey to North Carolina, which was the most severely affected by Hurricane Helene. The city of Asheville and entire communities were destroyed by a deluge of water.
“What do the states in the storm zone need — after what you saw today?”
BIDEN: “Oh, storm zone? I didn’t know which storm you’re talking about…”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 4, 2024
“What do the states in the storm zone need, Mr. President?” a reporter asked Biden.
“Eh?” Biden responded.
“What do the states in the storm zone, what do they need after what you saw today?” the reporter asked again.
“Oh in the storm zone. I’m wondering what storm you’re talking about. They’re getting everything they need, and they’re very happy across the board.” Biden said.
The hurricane that struck Florida a week ago has resulted in the deaths of at least 215 individuals and the disappearance of hundreds more.
Houses and automobiles are submerged in photographs and videos of Asheville and other regions, and detritus obstructs individuals from entering and exiting.
Tragic narratives emerged in the aftermath of the disaster. A couple in their seventies and their six-year-old grandson drowned in the aftermath of a roof collapse in Asheville.
The boy’s mother was able to survive by being wedged between adjacent objects.
On Thursday, Biden disclosed that the North Carolina National Guard would collaborate with up to 1,000 active-duty soldiers to distribute food, water, and supplies to communities that were isolated by the hurricane.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced on Thursday that the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has sufficient funding to address imminent requirements; however, this funding will be exhausted prior to the conclusion of the hurricane season.
He stated that FEMA has submitted a request for additional funding from Congress.
Critics have expressed their dissatisfaction with the Biden administration’s response to the hurricane, citing that FEMA spent $1.4 billion on housing illegal migrants over the past two years.
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