Former President Donald Trump has criticised the Biden administration’s response to the extensive damage caused by Hurricane Helene while some of his supporters are advocating for cutbacks to federal disaster agencies. During his presidency, Trump delayed disaster aid for hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and redirected funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to finance a programme aimed at returning undocumented migrants to Mexico. A group supported by Trump, Project 2025, is proposing to restructure FEMA to restrict aid to states and reduce the National Weather Service.
Trump baselessly claimed that the Biden administration and North Carolina’s Democratic governor were neglecting Republican areas in their response efforts. Biden, however, has approved major disaster declarations for Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, enabling affected individuals to access resources for recovery. FEMA, alongside other federal bodies, private enterprises, and non-profit organisations, is engaged in relief efforts across seven states affected by the disaster.
The death toll from Hurricane Helene has exceeded 100, with significant damage caused by flooding in western North Carolina. These natural disasters serve as political challenges for elected officials, particularly in battleground states like North Carolina and Georgia where the presidential election looms. Vice President Kamala Harris has expressed support for the affected regions, highlighting the deployment of federal personnel for assistance.
FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell described the flooding in North Carolina as “historic” and emphasised the infrastructure damage in multiple states, hindering recovery operations. Despite the challenges, officials are prioritising the restoration of essential services such as water systems and communication networks. Trump’s past actions during disasters, like the Hurricane Maria response in Puerto Rico and controversial statements about Hurricane Dorian, have come under scrutiny.
Lawmakers are cognisant of the pressing need for additional funding for disaster relief efforts, with a recent spending bill injecting around $20 billion into FEMA’s relief fund to facilitate immediate responses. Post-election negotiations in Washington are anticipated to secure further financial support for the ongoing recovery endeavours.