Biden Surveys Hurricane Helene Damage in Florida and Georgia, Calls for Unity in Recovery Efforts

On October 3, President Joe Biden embarked on a tour of Florida and Georgia to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene. This visit comes in the wake of significant destruction, with Biden emphasizing the need for unity among Americans during disaster recovery efforts.

Biden's first stop was Ray City, Georgia, where he delivered remarks defending the federal government's response to the hurricane. “In moments like this, it’s time to put politics aside,” he stated, highlighting that his administration's spending initiatives have benefitted red states as much as blue ones over the last three and a half years.

Before arriving in Georgia, Biden took an aerial tour of the flooded regions along Florida's coast, particularly near Perry, just an hour from Tallahassee. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre noted that both Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Georgia Governor Brian Kemp were invited to join the tour but chose not to attend. Biden acknowledged Governor Kemp during his remarks but did not mention DeSantis, who was holding a press conference in Anna Maria Island—one of the areas severely impacted by the storm.

In response to Biden’s visit, DeSantis has sought to underscore the effectiveness of Florida’s state-led recovery efforts, stating, “If you look at how this response went—the prep and the immediate response—this was overwhelmingly state and local.” He stressed that the state would not wait for federal assistance and aimed to act quickly in the aftermath of the hurricane.

Accompanying Biden on his Florida visit were U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Senator Rick Scott (R-Fla.). The President engaged with first responders and local officials, receiving updates on ongoing recovery efforts. During his visit, he met with a couple who had lost their home to the hurricane and were now living in their RV parked in the driveway.

In Georgia, Biden was joined by Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) and Representative Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.). When questioned about comments made by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who suggested that a supplemental funding package for disaster relief could wait until after the election, Biden strongly emphasized the urgency of immediate assistance. “We can’t wait. People need help now,” he asserted.

House Speaker Johnson stated that Congress had already provided necessary disaster relief funds and that FEMA’s resources had been replenished through a recent stopgap spending bill. However, many lawmakers in affected states are advocating for Congress to reconvene from its October recess to address additional relief measures, as the body is not expected to return until after the November presidential elections.

Biden's declaration has designated over 50 counties across Florida, South Carolina, and North Carolina as major disaster areas, including land owned by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Federal, state, and local recovery efforts have been ongoing for nearly a week, with more than $10 million in direct aid provided to those affected by Hurricane Helene.

During his address in Georgia, Biden spoke candidly about the impact of partisanship on recovery efforts. “Our job is to help as many people as we can. And by the way, when we do that, I hope to break down this rabid partisanship that exists. I mean that sincerely. There’s no rationale for it,” he said.

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