Former President Donald Trump has criticised the President Joe Biden administration's response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, even as his own supporters call for reductions in the federal agencies responsible for weather warnings and disaster relief. During his presidency, Trump delayed disaster aid to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico and redirected funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to finance immigration control efforts. Now, Project 2025, a Trump-backed initiative, proposes restructuring FEMA to limit aid to states and breaking up the National Weather Service, which provides critical storm data. Trump, without offering evidence, accused the Biden administration and the Democratic governor of North Carolina of “deliberately not helping people in Republican areas”. However, President Biden has already approved major disaster declarations for Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, enabling residents to access immediate relief funds. In response to the crisis, FEMA and various federal, private, and non-profit organisations are coordinating recovery efforts in seven states, including Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. “Each of these states is at different stages of response and recovery, addressing issues such as impassable roads, communication disruptions, and power outages,” FEMA stated. Trump also claimed that Georgia's Republican governor, Brian Kemp, had been unable to contact Biden regarding relief. However, Kemp refuted this, stating he had spoken with Biden the previous day, who assured him to “call directly” if the state required further assistance. “I appreciate that,” Kemp remarked. Hurricane Helene has claimed over 100 lives, with some of the worst flooding in western North Carolina. Buncombe County, home to the city of Asheville, reported 35 fatalities. Hurricane response can pose political challenges for leaders, particularly in battleground states like North Carolina and Georgia, which are critical in the upcoming presidential election. Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden’s running mate, emphasised that she and Biden are working with local leaders to support recovery efforts. “Listen to local officials and stay safe,” Harris said, adding, “We are with you every step of the way”, according to a report by AP. FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell described the flooding in North Carolina as “historic”, noting that the storm had severely damaged infrastructure, including water systems and roads. “I don’t know that anybody could be fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides they are having right now,” Criswell said on CBS’s Face the Nation. Bottled water and other supplies have been sent to the affected areas, while the US Army Corps of Engineers is assessing options for restoring water systems. Satellite communications are being set up to cope with damaged cell towers and phone outages. During Trump’s presidency, he frequently visited disaster zones but occasionally drew controversy. Notably, in 2017, following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico, Trump faced criticism for tossing paper towels to residents. His administration also delayed the release of $13 billion in aid to the territory, a decision that was only made just weeks before the 2020 election. Trump also faced backlash for diverting $155 million from FEMA’s budget to fund immigration enforcement. While FEMA officials claimed this would not affect disaster relief, emergency planners voiced concern. In 2019, Trump incorrectly insisted that Hurricane Dorian would impact Alabama, despite official forecasts stating otherwise. He later displayed a weather map altered with a black marker to include Alabama in the storm’s projected path. FEMA’s disaster relief fund covers expenses for debris removal, infrastructure repair, and survivor assistance. A temporary spending bill passed last week provided an additional $20 billion for the fund. However, both parties in Congress agree that further funding will be required, with more negotiations expected after the November elections.
