Vice President and presidential candidate Kamala Harris recently visited North Carolina, which is struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene.
On Saturday, Harris traveled to the state to meet with local officials and receive updates on their efforts to recover from the hurricane’s impact. The vice president also spoke to families who were affected and provided aid at a donation center.
In a briefing held alongside state officials like Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, she promised more federal support. More funds will reportedly go to those affected by the storm in the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and 27 other counties.
Today, I announced that the Biden-Harris Administration will provide $100 million to repair I-40, a major artery for western North Carolina.
— Vice President Kamala Harris (@VP) October 6, 2024
We will stand with North Carolina and every state affected by this storm for the long haul. pic.twitter.com/tk8qXoUI9S
Harris’ recent trip is the second trip she’s taken in the span of four days to visit those who experienced Hurricane Helene.
The vice president also visited Augusta, GA, on Wednesday, offering citizens financial support for recovery. She announced that the administration would provide $750 for those who need immediate access to food and infant formula.
“You are the heroes among us,” Harris said to the volunteers at the donation center per USA Today. “Because I do believe in moments of crisis heroes are revealed who just step up to help people in need and to show that kind of strength that people need to feel in each other.”
As of Thursday, the death toll has soared to 215 people, per AP News, with a majority of the victims being residents in North Carolina. Dozens were also killed in Georgia and South Carolina.
Over 200 people are also currently missing as a little less than one million people are still left without electricity. Following its aftermath, Hurricane Helene is now being considered as one of the nation’s worst storms since Hurricane Katrina which made landfall in 2005.
As residents in Florida continue to recover from Hurricane Helene’s impact, a new tropical storm is expected to make landfall in the state by midweek. According to federal forecasters, Tropical Storm Milton will make landfall as a major hurricane Wednesday evening, with winds reaching up to at least 74 mph.
Milton’s arrival is expected to bring more power interruptions and debris to already-affected areas. The National Guard has already been deployed in places where Milton is expected to hit the hardest.
A state of emergency has reportedly been declared in 16 more counties, bringing the total number to 51 out of the state’s 67 counties.
