WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden says he will visit areas hit by Hurricane Helene this week as long as it doesn’t disrupt rescue and recovery efforts.
Biden was briefed again on Sunday evening on the devastating storm’s impact on a huge swath of the Southeast.
The president, in a brief call with reporters on Sunday, described the storm’s impact as “stunning” and said the administration is giving states “everything we have” to help with their response to the storm.
A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported earlier Sunday that 30 people died as a result of the storm, bringing the total death toll across several states to at least 84 people.
The White House said Biden directed FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to figure out what can be done to accelerate support to isolated communities struggling to access aid.
Former President Donald Trump’s campaign announced earlier Sunday that he will visit Valdosta, Georgia, on Monday to examine Helene’s impact on that state, one of the hotly contested battlegrounds that will be crucial in November’s presidential election.
According to his campaign, Trump is expected to receive a briefing, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies and make remarks during the visit.
