Elected officials whose districts fell beneath the wrath of Hurricane Helene are beginning to speak out about what they say is a pattern of neglect by the Biden-Harris administration.
The sharp words from Georgia’s Republican Governor Brian Kemp and others come after more than 170 have been reported dead and hundreds remain missing after what meteorologists claim will remain one of the strongest storms of the past century. Kemp, speaking with local outlet WRDW, said he was “outraged” about having to call the White House for emergency disaster relief assistance after only 11 of the state’s 90 counties were designated as disaster zones. “A lot of people were outraged, including me, because there was such devastation. You know, up to 90 counties. So we called the White House, spoke to the president’s chief of staff, the FEMA administrator, and said ‘Look, you’re sending the signal that you’re not paying attention.’”
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Critics have needled Vice President Kamala Harris for continuing a west coast campaign swing while the historic storm made landfall on Saturday. Harris, who was in the midst of a California fundraiser the previous evening, released a statement claiming to be deeply involved in recovery efforts. “My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the devastation unleashed by Hurricane Helene,” Harris said in the statement on Saturday. “As we continue to respond and as communities recover, our administration will remain in constant contact with state and local officials. I have been briefed by FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell and will continue to receive regular updates.”
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Former GOP Congressman Mark Walker (R-NC), who is campaigning for his old seat, blasted the feds on X, highlighting a $50 million facility housing migrants in Greensboro, North Carolina that he stated could be used for stranded U.S. citizens instead. “The U.S. Govt. has a $50 million lease and it’s currently unoccupied. While the center is waiting to house apprehended illegals, maybe you could take care of our own western North Carolinians first,” he wrote.
Hey @FEMA, 800 beds in Greensboro are available. The U.S. Govt. has a $50 million lease and it’s currently unoccupied. While the center is waiting to house apprehended illegals, maybe you could take care of our own western North Carolinians first. pic.twitter.com/uWL0LEbkF7
— Mark Walker (@RepMarkWalker) October 3, 2024
Shockingly, Americans who jumped to the rescue were threatened with arrest. The New York Post reported that South Carolina helicopter pilot Jordan Seidhom was warned to quit running rescue missions through the South Carolina mountains or be imprisoned. “I thought, I have a helicopter, maybe I can help,” he told a local outlet. After dropping off several survivors and prepping to return for more, a local official ordered him to stand down, he said. “I explained to him that I left my son on the side of the mountain, and I left another victim. I was going to go back and bring them, it was already set up for the landing spot and then I would get out of his area. He told me I wasn’t going to go back up the mountain to get them, I was going to leave them there,” he said.
democrats: bet you republicans dont think the government is so terrible now that you need to be rescued from a flood 😏😏😏
the government: if you rescue people from the flood I swear on my life I will send you directly to prison https://t.co/tbAy8pHrIe
— Seamus (FreedomToons) (@seamus_coughlin) October 3, 2024
A similar situation unfolded in Asheville, North Carolina where bystander video shows police appearing to threaten residents with arrest if they attempted to return to their homes to collect belongings. “You guys have already got ample amount of time,” an officer can be heard saying in the shaky video. “I’m giving you guys a warning… If I have to come back out over here, — The jail is processing, all right?”
VIDEO PROOF, Police In Asheville, North Carolina Threateng Hurricane Helene Victims WITH ARREST For Trying To Save Their Belongings
Hurricane Victim “This is how city of Asheville police department treat business owners that lost everything and trying to salvage what little bit… pic.twitter.com/uk4bXzehO0
— Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) October 3, 2024
President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris traveled to storm-ravaged parts of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina on Thursday to survey the damage. Attempting to step on their visit, former President Donald Trump on Monday told reporters, “The federal government is not being responsive” while conducting his own site visit in Georgia.
