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Calls for Military Leadership in Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts
In the wake of Hurricane Helene, two Republican senators are urging the Biden administration to appoint a military leader to oversee recovery operations, as criticism mounts regarding the federal government’s response to the disaster.
Senators’ Joint Statement on Response Operations
Republican Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd from North Carolina released a joint statement on Friday evening addressing the ongoing response efforts. They emphasized that local, state, and federal first responders, including members of the National Guard, have been working diligently with available resources.
“Given the unprecedented scale of destruction and complexity involved in search and rescue missions, it would be beneficial to appoint an active-duty military leader with significant experience in managing such large-scale operations,” their statement noted.
Criticism of Federal Response
The Biden administration has faced scrutiny for what some perceive as an insufficient response to Hurricane Helene’s aftermath. As reported on Friday, fatalities in southeastern states severely affected by the storm have surpassed 224, with over 100 casualties recorded in western North Carolina alone.
Biden’s Coordination Efforts Under Fire
BIDEN DEFENDS HIS ROLE IN HURRICANE HELENE RESPONSE COORDINATION
The White House has stated that President Biden is actively coordinating federal responses by approving emergency declarations and deploying 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist with search-and-rescue initiatives. Additionally, over 4,800 personnel from FEMA and other agencies have been dispatched to North Carolina and surrounding areas impacted by Helene.
FEMA’s On-the-Ground Support Initiatives
On Friday, FEMA Director Deanne Criswell was present in North Carolina where she reported that military units were distributing food and water supplies from various distribution centers across affected regions.
The agency has also delivered more than 8.5 million meals along with over 7 million liters of water; they provided 150 generators and distributed more than 220,000 tarps as part of their relief efforts according to information released by the White House.
Financial Assistance for Survivors
As of Friday afternoon, federal assistance exceeding $45 million has been allocated for Individual Assistance programs aimed at survivors affected by Hurricane Helene. This includes one-time payments amounting to $750 from FEMA available for eligible applicants across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
This report includes contributions from Chris Pandolfo at Fox News Digital.
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