Former President Donald Trump has taken credit for Elon Musk, the founder and billionaire of SpaceX, sending Starlink satellite terminals to assist in parts of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene. The devastating storm struck last week, prompting Musk to provide extra support to the state. In a post on his platform X, Musk mentioned that after discussions with Trump, they identified additional areas in North Carolina that needed Starlink Internet. Musk stated, “Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need.”
Trump, during a rally in Valdosta, Georgia, indicated that he had personally spoken with Musk, who had previously endorsed Trump. Trump assured the crowd that Musk would “come through” for the residents affected by the hurricane. However, White House Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates clarified that the deployment of additional Starlink units was already underway, according to a FEMA release which mentioned that 40 satellite systems were available for responder communications.
FEMA also reported that 140 satellites were being dispatched to support the restoration of communications infrastructure. One Starlink satellite would be deployed per county to aid in communications. The high-speed internet provided by SpaceX’s Starlink satellites has been crucial in areas where communication has been severely impacted by the storm.
The lack of service in North Carolina has impeded response and relief efforts following the hurricane. Power outages persist in the US Southeast, affecting over 1.6 million customers as of Tuesday morning. The death toll from the hurricane has surpassed 130, with many still missing. Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with a section of a major highway recently reopening.
North Carolina officials stressed the importance of restoring communication services to enhance relief operations. Musk’s quick response to the crisis highlights the significance of technology in disaster management. The collaboration between private companies like SpaceX and government agencies is crucial in times of natural disasters to ensure effective response and recovery efforts for affected communities.