Everything is not as it seems, Florida State Guardsman Jonathan Howard told Fox News viewers about Hurricane Helene recovery efforts, blaming the mainstream media and many politicians. especially president bidenPainting a rosier picture of the government’s response than the reality.
“He can take his $750, it’s a joke…” Howard said Saturday, referencing rumors that FEMA would provide no more than $750 to hurricane victims for their recovery, as he responded to a recent speech by Biden responded to the video claiming that the people displaced by Helen “are getting everything they need, and they’re very happy across the board.”
“These people are stranded in the mountains. What are they going to do? Order something? There’s no way to get it delivered to their home… (It’s) a complete failure of leadership. Everything depends on leadership There is no leadership here, no one knows what’s going on.”
FEMA refuted the claim that aid to hurricane victims would be limited to $750.
A destroyed home after Hurricane Helene near Fairview, North Carolina on September 30, 2024. According to published reports, local residents say that the storm has caused several deaths in the area and many people are missing. (Sean Rayford)
agency website Explaining the assistance, “This is a type of assistance that you can be approved for immediately after applying, called Serious Needs Assistance. It covers essential items like food, water, infant formula, breastfeeding supplies, There is an upfront, flexible payment to help cover expenses, medication and other emergency supplies. There are other forms of assistance you may be eligible to receive and Serious Needs Assistance is an initial payment you can then receive. “When FEMA assesses your eligibility for additional funds.”
The site adds, “As your application continues to be reviewed, you may still receive additional forms of assistance for other needs such as temporary housing, personal property, and home repair costs.”
Meanwhile, Biden’s claim that hurricane victims are “getting everything they need” came in response to a reporter who asked, “What are states doing in the hurricane zone … after what you saw today what do they need?”
The President had just returned from a trip cyclone affected states in Georgia and Florida, which are experiencing frequent power outages and storm damage.
Biden appeared to have difficulty remembering which storm area the reporter was discussing before responding.
Still critical of the government’s response to Helen, Howard told Kilmeade that private citizens were protesting in many affected areas, and that leadership in Florida had handled the situation far more effectively than in other areas.
Homes are seen after Hurricane Helene in Chimney Rock Village, NC on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
“I knew where my governor was before the hurricane, during the hurricane, and after the hurricane. Then he actually sent me here to help fix their problems, but these people don’t have a clue. Here’s just There’s no mandate. We’re getting all our information from Facebook and private citizen groups.”
He also said that when he reached there he was initially denied entry North Carolina To assist in recovery efforts, however, blame for the blockage was placed on multiple agencies.
Adding to the chaos, he repeated common claims of others that delivering help to others through helicopters has also been a challenge.
“I saw some Air Force Blackhawks out there with a couple of rescue personnel. All these guys are rescue specialist paramedics. I went over to them, started talking to them, exchanging intel, and they were like, ,We want to fly, but we can’t. We’re waiting for the Title X order,’ and I said, ‘What?’ And then a lot of my military friends are saying…they can’t even get authorization to come here. And there is a lot of army here. I have guardsmen, I’m active duty. They’re all sending me messages. Pilot commanders of pilot divisions, helicopter pilots. And they say, ‘We can’t get authorization to go there,'” he said.
“I want people to understand – why wouldn’t the government want to send these helicopters? Yes, I would see the Guard and some active duty birds. I would see three National Guard helicopters, and I would see 40 civilian helicopters doing rescue operations. “
North Carolina Sens. Tilles, Budd call on military leader to oversee Hurricane Helen response
The search for normalcy continues across the storm-ravaged Southeast after Hurricane Helene’s torrential rains and strong winds swept away homes and communities, leaving unprecedented numbers of victims with no place to return.
Remote communities in the mountainous regions affected by Helen left many people unable to contact the rest of the world and therefore receive aid – roads and bridges were severely damaged or washed away, with fallen trees hampering relief efforts. are being disrupted and power cuts have made their work more complicated. Ability to connect with others.
With roads being inaccessible to vehicles in many places, some teams have resorted to old-fashioned methods to deliver much-needed supplies to isolated areas. using mules and horses,
People displaced by Helen are still in need of donations of essential supplies such as canned goods, bottled water, clothing, baby and pet supplies, hygiene products, first aid items, blankets and other items.
The White House and FEMA were contacted for comment, but neither responded in time for publication.
