In Keaton Beach, Florida, on Thursday, President Joe Biden had talks with survivors and first responders to discuss the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. He strolled amid mounds of broken wood, destroyed houses, and enormous siding pieces that were crumpled like paper.
Among the individuals Biden saw were those who had lost their houses; one couple was making do with a caravan next to the ruins of their house, their personal goods scattered around.
The president was scheduled to visit Georgia on Thursday as well.
On Wednesday, Biden flew over the destruction in South and North Carolina. The administration declared that for three months in Georgia and six months in North Carolina, the federal government would pay for emergency protection measures and debris removal. The funds will be used to mitigate the effects of flooding and landslides, as well as to pay for mass feedings, shelters, search and rescue operations, and first responders.
200 people have died as a result of Hurricane Helene as of Thursday, and that number could climb as rescuers move towards the most difficult-to-reach areas in the western North Carolina mountains, where the hurricane destroyed roads and interrupted cellular service, electricity, and water supplies.
