President Biden During a news conference Monday to discuss the federal response to Hurricane Helene, he vowed he would visit some of the most devastated areas — but not yet.
At the end of the press conference, which was interrupted by his persistent cough, the President became defensive when a reporter pressed him on who was in command over the weekend. direct storm responseBiden spent the weekend at his seaside home in Delaware.
There was a heated exchange at the White House after Biden finished his remarks and turned to leave the Roosevelt Room.
“And the hurricane. Mr. President, why weren’t you and Vice President Harris commanding it in Washington this weekend?” a reporter shouted as the President walked out.
“I was commanding it,” Biden responded from the door. “I was on the phone yesterday and the day before for at least two hours. I command it. It’s called telephones and all my security people.”
As Biden then turned to leave, the reporter began asking, “Isn’t this important for the country to see?” The President left, and the door closed in the middle of the question.
Asheville residents grapple with ‘apocalypse’ from Hurricane Helen after deadly flooding, mudslides
At the beginning of his remarks, Biden assured that he and his team were “in constant contact with governors, mayors and local leaders” regarding Hurricane Helene.
President Biden speaks to reporters as he leaves the Roosevelt Room after speaking about Hurricane Helene response efforts on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
The President said that Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Dean Criswell is on the ground in North Carolina and will be in the Asheville area. Biden acknowledged reports indicating that more than 100 people have died as a result of the storm and about 600 are missing and have yet to be contacted.
“We are keeping all of them in our prayers and those who are lost and those who are especially unaccounted for. There is no need to wonder if my husband, wife, son, daughter, mother, father and so many others For survivors who remain without power, water, food and communications, homes and businesses swept away in an instant, I want them to know that we will not leave until the job is done,” Biden said. Said.
“I also want to let you know that I am committed to traveling to the affected areas as soon as possible, but I have been told that it would be disruptive if I did it now,” Biden said.
North Carolina lawmaker compares Hurricane Helene’s aftermath to ‘warzone’
He told that he would visit at the end of the week. Biden said, “We will not do so at the risk of diverting or delaying any response assets needed to address this crisis. My first responsibility is to get all necessary assistance to those affected areas.” “I hope to get there this weekend.”
“I am directing my team to provide every available resource to your communities as quickly as possible to begin rescue, recovery, and rebuilding,” Biden said.
President Biden coughs while speaking about federal response efforts to Hurricane Helene at the White House on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)
In addition to FEMA, Biden said he directed the Federal Communications Commission to help establish communications capacity, as well as the National Guard, Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Defense to “make all resources at their disposal for rescue and assistance.” ” Instructed. Clearing debris and delivering life-saving supplies.”
More than 3,600 personnel have been approved so far, the President said. He also approved the requests of the governors of Florida, North Carolina, South CarolinaFor emergency declarations in Tennessee, Georgia and Virginia and Alabama.
Biden said that as president he has “seen first-hand the devastating impact these disasters have on families and communities” and has “heard dozens of stories from survivors about what it’s like to be left with nothing.” It happens.” He urged people in affected areas to heed warnings from emergency officials.
An uprooted tree falls on a pickup truck in front of a home on East Main Street after Hurricane Helene on Saturday, September 28, 2024 in Glen Alpine, North Carolina. (AP Photo/Kathy Komonicek)
Biden said, “Take this seriously. Please stay safe. Your country is with you and the Biden-Harris administration will be with you until the job is done.”
Click here to get the Fox News app
The president also acknowledged three members of the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department who were seriously injured in a crash near the Texas-Louisiana border over the weekend.
“One of the brave teams that volunteered there was from the San Diego County Fire Department, prepared to travel from California to North Carolina to help, but along the way they were injured in a terrible car accident in Louisiana. “We pray they made a full recovery. But it was a bad accident,” he said.
