Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris made their first visit on Wednesday to the areas ravaged by Hurricane Helene. FEMA and other agencies said they were setting up for multi-year recovery.
Biden visited North Carolina and South Carolina to tour the damaged areas. The president planned to continue his tour with stops in Georgia and Florida on Oct. 3, according to the White House. Harris traveled to Augusta, Georgia, to survey impacted areas and provide updates on the federal government’s response.
More than 50 counties across Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina, including land owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, have been designated as major disaster areas by Biden. His aerial tour aboard Marine One flew over devastated areas of both Carolinas, including the North Carolina communities of Biltmore Village, Swannanoa, Asheville, Black Mountain, Chimney Rock, and Lake Lure. Among the visible debris were flattened buildings, homes still partially underwater, and fallen trees.
