Inland Flooding Crisis: Controversy Over Biden-Harris Handling and Resource Use

At a Glance

President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina.
Federal disaster assistance includes grants for housing, home repairs, and recovery programs.
Asheville and Buncombe County, North Carolina, are facing significant devastation.
Criticism grows over resource allocation favoring overseas aid while domestic needs intensify.

Federal Response and Resource Allocation

President Biden approved a major disaster declaration for North Carolina following the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene. The declaration provides federal disaster assistance to aid recovery efforts in numerous affected counties. These efforts include grants for temporary housing, home repairs, low-cost loans for uninsured property losses, and various other recovery programs.

This aid is available to supplement state and local recovery initiatives in Alexander, Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Buncombe, Burke, Caldwell, Catawba, Clay, Cleveland, Gaston, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell, Polk, Rutherford, Transylvania, Watauga, Wilkes, Yancey, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

Thomas J. McCool has been appointed as the Federal Coordinating Officer for recovery operations in affected areas. This position is crucial for coordinating federal assistance and ensuring that aid is delivered efficiently to those in need.

President Joe Biden signed a declaration that approved federal disaster funding for North Carolina following the wake of devastation that Tropical Storm Helene left on the state.https://t.co/b2OHxVZ5OQ

— CBS 17 (@WNCN) September 29, 2024

Local Devastation and Critical Needs

Buncombe County, including Asheville, is among the hardest-hit areas in North Carolina. North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper described the storm’s impact as “catastrophic devastation of historic proportions.” The county faces significant losses, with at least 30 fatalities reported and over 1,000 people still unaccounted for.

“This storm has brought catastrophic devastation… of historic proportions,” North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper said.

Rescue operations are in progress with the North Carolina National Guard rescuing more than 119 individuals. Additionally, the American Red Cross has opened over 140 shelters, accommodating more than 2,000 people. Despite these efforts, the region remains in desperate need of resources and support.

The storm surge, wind damage and inland flooding from Hurricane Helene have been catastrophic, flooding neighborhoods, destroying homes and toppling trees.

Dozens have been killed and dozens more remain missing as rescue and recovery efforts are underway. pic.twitter.com/KJFj2P9Lty

— ABC News (@ABC) September 29, 2024

Criticism of Resource Allocation

In the wake of these devastating events, criticism has been directed at the Biden-Harris administration for its resource allocation preferences. Many highlight the contrast between the $8 billion allocated for overseas aid to Ukraine and the pressing needs of American citizens facing unprecedented natural disasters at home.

“The people in western North Carolina are hurting from this devastating storm and we are all working to get resources to people as fast as we can,” North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper said in a statement. “We have deployed rescue teams, transportation crews, water, mobile kitchens and more. This is going to be a long-term recovery and this federal declaration will help us respond.”

This criticism is compounded by Vice President Kamala Harris’s stance on equitable disaster relief, raising concerns about the efficiency and focus of the federal emergency response.