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President Biden mentioned the federal response to Hurricane Helene throughout a press convention on Monday, vowed that he would go to among the most devastated areas – however not but.
On the finish of the press convention, which was interrupted by his frequent coughs, the president grew defensive when a reporter pressed him on who was in command over the weekend to direct hurricane response. Biden spent the weekend at his seaside dwelling in Delaware.
The heated change occurred on the White Home after Biden concluded his remarks and turned to go away the Roosevelt Room.
“And the hurricane. Mr. President, why weren’t you and Vice President Harris right here in Washington commanding this this weekend?” a reporter yelled because the president exited.
“I used to be commanding it,” Biden retorted from the doorway. “I used to be on the cellphone for at the very least two hours yesterday and the day earlier than as nicely. I command it. It is referred to as a phone and all my safety folks.”
Biden turned once more to go away because the reporter started to ask, “Is it not essential for the nation to see?” The president left, and the door closed mid-question.
ASHEVILLE RESIDENTS BATTLING ‘APOCALYPTIC’ AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HELENE AFTER DEADLY FLOODING, LANDSLIDES
In the beginning of his remarks, Biden assured that he and his staff had been “in fixed contact with governors, mayors and native leaders” concerning Hurricane Helene.
President Biden speaks to reporters as he departs the Roosevelt Room after talking about Hurricane Helene response efforts on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Picture/Susan Walsh)
The president famous that the Federal Emergency Administration Company (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the bottom in North Carolina and can stay within the Asheville space. Biden acknowledged stories indicating greater than 100 individuals are lifeless and about 600 folks stay unaccounted for and can’t but be contacted because of the storm.
“We’re holding all of them in our prayers and all of the lives misplaced and people explicit unaccounted for. There’s nothing like questioning is my husband, spouse, son, daughter, mom, father alive and lots of extra who stay with out electrical energy – water, meals and communications and houses and companies have washed away instantly. I need them to know we’re not leaving till the job is completed,” Biden mentioned.
“Additionally need you to know I am dedicated to touring to the impacted areas as quickly as potential, however I have been instructed that it could be disruptive if I did it proper now,” Biden added.
NORTH CAROLINA LAWMAKER COMPARES AFTERMATH OF HURRICANE HELENE TO A ‘WARZONE’
He defined that he would go to later within the week. “We won’t try this on the threat of diverting or delaying any – any of the response property wanted to take care of this disaster. My first duty is get all the assistance wanted to these impacted areas,” Biden mentioned. “I count on to be there later this week.”
“I am directing my staff to supply each, each accessible useful resource as quick as potential to your communities to rescue, get better, and to start rebuilding,” Biden mentioned.
President Biden coughs as he speaks in regards to the federal response efforts for Hurricane Helene on the White Home on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Picture/Susan Walsh)
Along with FEMA, Biden mentioned he directed the Federal Communications Fee to assist set up communications functionality, in addition to the Nationwide Guard, the Military Corps of Engineers, and the Division of Protection “to supply all of the assets at its disposal to rescue and help in clearing particles and delivering lifesaving provides.”
Up to now, greater than 3,600 personnel have been accepted to date, the president mentioned. He additionally accepted requests from the governors of Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia and Alabama for an emergency declaration.
Biden mentioned that as president he’s seen “firsthand the devastating toll that disasters like this tackle households and communities” and has heard “dozens of tales from survivors about the way it feels to be lefty with nothing.” He urged these in impacted areas to go to the warnings from emergency officers.
An uprooted tree landed on a pickup truck in entrance of a house on East Primary Avenue after Hurricane Helene on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2024, in Glen Alpine, North Carolina. (AP Picture/Kathy Kmonicek)
“Take this critically. Please be secure. Your nation has your again and the Biden-Harris administration can be there till the job is completed,” Biden mentioned.
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The president additionally acknowledged three members of the San Diego Fireplace-Rescue Division who had been critically harm in a crash close to the Texas-Louisiana border over the weekend.
“One of many courageous groups that volunteered to be there was from San Diego County Fireplace Division, set to journey all the way in which from California to North Carolina to assist, however on their manner they had been in a horrible automobile accident in Louisiana. We pray for his or her full restoration. Nevertheless it was a foul accident,” he mentioned.
Danielle Wallace is a breaking information and politics reporter at Fox Information Digital. Story suggestions could be despatched to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on X: @danimwallace.
