The Biden-Harris Administration pushes back on narrative that they are slow in disaster response

October, 4, 2024 – Washington, D.C. – Vice President Kamala Harris (D) was in North Carolina with FEMA administrator Denne Criswell to survey storm damage. The Biden – Harris administration, stung by criticism of the Hurricane Helen disaster response – emphasized that they are continuing search and rescue efforts in the region while the federal response and recovery efforts across the Southeast for the survivors have already surpassed $110 Million.

The White House said that FEMA remains committed to ensuring that survivors receive accurate information on federal assistance. The agency is actively working alongside state, local and tribal partners to assess damage and support those affected by the disaster.

The White House says that FEMA has already helped thousands of Hurricane Helene survivors jumpstart their recoveries with more than $110 million in federal assistance. More than 6,400 personnel from across the federal workforce are deployed, including FEMA staff. Despite widespread press reports that survivors have not seen or heard from federal aid agencies, FEMA says that is has shipped over 13.2 million meals, more than 13.4 million liters of water, 157 generators and more than 492,000 tarps to the region.

Disaster survivors in certain areas of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia can begin their recovery process by applying for federal assistance through FEMA. People with damage to their homes or personal property who live in the designated areas should apply for assistance, which may include upfront funds to help with essential items like food, water, baby formula, breastfeeding supplies and other emergency supplies. Funds may also be available to repair storm-related damage to homes and personal property, as well as assistance to find a temporary place to stay. Homeowners and renters with damage to their home or personal property from previous disasters, whether they received FEMA funds or not, are still eligible to apply for and receive assistance for Hurricane Helene.

There are three ways to apply for FEMA assistance:

Calling FEMA Helpline at 1-800-621-3362.

Online by visiting disasterassistance.gov.

Downloading and applying on the FEMA App.

North Carolina has been especially hard hit with some communities so isolated by the downed communications and impassable roads that relief is being brought in to some communities by pack mules.

The White House says that in North Carolina FEMA has provided more than $26 million in housing and other types of assistance to over 25,000 households.

The White House says that more than 700 FEMA staff are on the ground in North Carolina, with more arriving daily. Over 1,200 Urban Search and Rescue personnel are in North Carolina helping people. As of today, these teams have rescued or supported over 3,200 survivors. Dozens of Disaster Survivor Assistance staff are on the ground in affected areas to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Over 1,000 National Guard troops from other states, including Alabama, have deployed to North Carolina to support response and recovery efforts. To date, troops have delivered nearly one million pounds of food, water and other supplies. The White House claims that experienced FEMA leaders from around the country are in the field to bolster response efforts.

The White House added that the Field Coordinating Officer is Thomas McCool and the Region 3 Regional Administrator is MaryAnn Tierney, while Region 7 Regional Administrator Andrea Spillars and Chief Financial Officer Mary Comans are on the ground overseeing response operations.

The White House reports that over 800 people who cannot return home are staying in safe and clean lodging through FEMA's Transitional Shelter Assistance program. Transitional Sheltering Assistance is available for North Carolinians displaced by Tropical Storm Helene. Residents in declared counties who have applied for disaster assistance may be eligible to stay temporarily in a hotel or motel paid for by FEMA while they work on their long-term housing plan. People do not need to request this assistance. FEMA will notify them of their eligibility through an automated phone call, text message, and/or email, depending upon the method of communication they selected at the time of application for disaster assistance. Twenty-two shelters are housing just over 1,000 occupants. Mobile feeding operations continue to help survivors in heavily impacted areas, including three mass feeding sites in Buncombe, McDowell and Watauga counties.

The White House reports that as of today, more than 74% of originally reported power outages have been restored. Nearly 8,000 crews continue to assist with remaining power restoration efforts. Cellular restoration continues to improve, with less than 25% of cellular sites down as of today. As of today, only two counties have 50% or more cell sites down. Two Federal Communications Commission surveillance teams are conducting inspection operations on equipment in targeted counties. FEMA is boosting response coordination by providing Starlink units to ensure first responders can communicate with each other. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians has full mobile cellular service.

The White House reports that commodity distribution, mass feeding, and hydration operations are underway in areas of western North Carolina. FEMA commodity shipments are enroute to support operations. The agency is on track to meet requested delivery timelines for meals and water. Voluntary organizations are supporting feeding operations with bulk food and water deliveries coming via truck and aircraft. The Salvation Army has nine mobile feeding units supporting the massive operation and has provided emotional and spiritual care to more than 300 people. To date, The Salvation Army has served over 7,100 meals, 6,600 drinks, and 3,700 snacks. The American Red Cross is engaging in targeted distribution of emergency supplies in low-income communities with high levels of minor or affected residential damage.

Residents can visit: ncdps.gov/helene to get information and additional assistance.

The White House is advising that Americans should not travel to western North Carolina to keep the roadways clear for search and rescue teams and utility crews.

Residents can get in touch with loved ones by calling 2-1-1 or visiting unitedwaync.org to add them to search and rescue efforts.

The White House reports that FEMA has provided more than $40 million to more than 8,000 households. FEMA specialists are canvassing Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Helene to help survivors apply for assistance. Additionally, FEMA inspectors have begun visiting applicants' homes to verify disaster-caused damage.

Residents in need of information or resources should call the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at 1-800-342-3557. English, Spanish and Creole speakers are available to answer questions.

In South Carolina, President Biden has announced 100% cost-share for a period of time to make recovery more affordable for the state.

In South Carolina, FEMA has provided over $4.7 million to over 5,700 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties continuing to help survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connect them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources. South Carolina is monitoring river rises along coastal communities.

Residents with questions on Hurricane Helene can call the state's toll-free hotline, open 24 hours a day, at 1-866-246-0133.

Residents who are dependent on medical equipment at home and who are without power due to Helene may be eligible for a medical needs shelter. Call the state's Department of Public Health Care Line at 1-855-472-3432 for more information.

In Georgia FEMA has provided over $29 million to over 35,000 survivors. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at gema.georgia.gov/hurricane-helene.

In Virginia, President Biden announced 100% cost-share for a period of time to make recovery more affordable for the commonwealth. To date, FEMA has provided more than $230,000 to over 50 households. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents can find resources like shelters and feeding sites at: Recover – Hurricane Helene | VDEM (vaemergency.gov)

In Tennessee, FEMA has received more than 2,300 applications for disaster assistance. FEMA Disaster Survivor Assistance Teams are on the ground in neighborhoods across the affected counties helping survivors apply for FEMA assistance and connecting them with additional state, local, federal and voluntary agency resources.

Residents can call 1-800-824-3463 to report a missing person. Callers should be prepared to provide as much information as possible including names, phone numbers, vehicle identification and last known whereabouts.

Counties have started establishing donation centers. For the evolving list, visit TEMA's website.

Voluntary organizations are also providing personnel and resources to the hardest hit areas. The American Red Cross has hundreds of trained disaster workers providing comfort and operating shelters. Additionally, they are helping find loved ones through their helpline 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or by the Red Cross Hurricane Helene Reunification page where you can enter pertinent information about the person you're looking for. If someone is missing a child related to this disaster or any other incident, they need to call 9-1-1 and then 1-800-THE-LOST to receive assistance from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.

People can receive free services like cutting fallen trees, tarping roofs and mold mitigation with the help of Crisis Cleanup by calling 844-965-1386. The hotline is open through October 11 and can connect people with volunteers from local relief organizations, community groups and the faith-based community who may be able to assist.