Vice President Kamala Harris visited Augusta, Georgia, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, where she vowed to provide financial assistance to residents affected by the natural disaster.
Harris commended Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp for “leadership and his close coordination with the federal government” amid the crisis.
Since Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, more than 160 deaths and hundreds of Americans have been displaced.
“With our administration. And I want to thank the local leaders for together, creating a task-force-like response, knowing we are at our best when we work together and coordinate resources, coordinate our communications to the maximum effect for the community that has been impacted,” Harris said, before announcing that federal relief offered by the administration includes $750 for those with immediate needs such as food and baby formula.
Thank you to all those who are doing critical work in Georgia and throughout the region to get folks the support and the relief that they so desperately need, and so rightly deserve, in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. pic.twitter.com/Spbe21jhgK
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) October 3, 2024
FEMA is now offering financial assistance to storm victims for home repairs and hotel expenses. Biden has granted Governor Kemp’s request for full federal reimbursement of local costs incurred in response to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath.
Harris lauded the government and community workers who had worked tirelessly to mitigate the damage.
″I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days, and I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done,” Harris declared. “Especially when we coordinate around local, state, federal resources to meet the needs of people who must be seen, who must be heard.”
Georgia is not the only Southern state heavily impacted by Helene. The deadly storm also devastated Florida, North Carolina, some parts of Tennessee and Virginia. AirBnB.org has partnered with local nonprofits and 211 contact centers to offer free shelter to people in Florida and North Carolina who need it in emergencies.
Here is VP Kamala Harris comforting the victims of Hurricane Helene in Georgia today. This is what a real leader looks like. Compassionate, kind, and understanding. Thank you, VP. pic.twitter.com/rAbKQmYLrM
— Harry Sisson (@harryjsisson) October 2, 2024
“Stays are completely free for guests and are funded by Airbnb.org and the generosity of Airbnb hosts — many of whom offer their home for free or at a discount through Airbnb.org,” the organization said in a statement.
President Joe Biden visited North Carolina and South Carolina earlier this week and is expected to travel to Florida on Thursday (Oct. 3)
