Outside the White House on Wednesday evening, Joe Biden was asked about the federal response to Hurricane Helene and what the states in the storm zone still need.
His response left many surprised.
After a pause, Biden said, “Oh, storm zone? I didn’t know which storm you’re talking about…” He then claimed that the affected states are getting everything they need and that “they’re very happy.”
“What do the states in the storm zone need — after what you saw today?”
BIDEN: “Oh, storm zone? I didn’t know which storm you’re talking about…”
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 4, 2024
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However, this statement seems to contradict the reality faced by millions of Americans still struggling in the wake of the hurricane’s destruction.
Many are still waiting for government assistance, digging through the rubble of their homes, and some are even waiting to be rescued from flood zones.
The Biden administration’s response to the disaster has faced significant criticism, with many pointing to a slow and ineffective federal response.
The video below makes it very clear that Biden has no idea what is going on in NC.
He is not in charge of anything. He’s probably in the dark on the whole #Helene disaster. https://t.co/RNgePOYqOC
— John Cardillo (@johncardillo) October 4, 2024
Even typically supportive outlets have begun to highlight the shortcomings.
According to Reuters, the federal response has revealed a major gap in FEMA’s assistance, particularly in Appalachian areas.
In an article titled “Hurricane Helene exposes FEMA assistance gap in Appalachian areas,” the news agency detailed the lack of federal flood insurance coverage available to residents in these hard-hit regions.
As reported by Reuters, “Roughly 1 in 200 single-family homes in the region is covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), according to a Reuters analysis of federal government data – a far lower level of coverage than can be found in the coastal and riverside neighborhoods the program was designed to serve.”
The NFIP is focused primarily on flood risks related to rising seas and rivers, rather than the extreme rainfall that occurred with Helene, which dumped over 14 inches of rain in parts of western North Carolina, turning mountainsides into mudslides and flooding creeks beyond capacity.
Residents of the region have been left devastated by the storm. Aaron Smith, a resident of Bat Cave, North Carolina, saw his home destroyed by the storm and is now uncertain about what the future holds for his family. “It’s horrendous,” Smith said. “I don’t see anything to go back to.”
The coverage gap highlighted by Reuters has intensified frustrations with the federal response, with many residents in the region lacking access to the resources they need to rebuild their lives.
Despite these reports, Biden’s public comments suggest that the administration believes its response has been adequate.
Mayorkas 3 months ago: FEMA is “tremendously prepared” for hurricane season
Mayorkas today: FEMA is out of money and can’t make it through hurricane season. “We do not have the funds”
Look at this. 3 months apart: pic.twitter.com/aX3o0NGihb
— Gregg Re (@gregg_re) October 4, 2024
For many Americans, this response echoes past criticisms of federal disaster management, drawing comparisons to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
While the media was quick to scrutinize the federal government’s response back then, some argue that the media is handling Biden’s response with more leniency, despite similar concerns about the slow delivery of aid.
The residents of North Carolina and other affected states are still in need of significant assistance.
As the cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues, many are left waiting for a more robust federal response to help them rebuild their lives.
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