Hurricane Helene Victims Fear They’ll Get the ‘Maui Treatment’ from Biden-Harris Administration

As Hurricane Helene leaves a trail of devastation across the Southeast, many Americans are concerned that the Biden-Harris administration’s response will mirror its controversial handling of the Maui wildfires. With over 100 lives lost and communities in states like North Carolina, South Carolina, and Florida grappling with catastrophic damage, critics are questioning whether the administration is doing enough, especially for those in isolated or harder-hit areas​.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have come under fire for their perceived slow and inadequate disaster responses in the past. During the Maui wildfires, many felt the administration’s relief efforts were too little, too late, a sentiment echoed by some of the victims of Hurricane Helene. As of September 30, FEMA and other federal agencies have deployed over 3,500 personnel to aid in the recovery across the affected states. However, the scale of the damage, particularly in Western North Carolina, has left residents frustrated, as many are still without basic necessities like power, water, and communication services.

Biden’s critics, led by former President Donald Trump, have seized the moment to attack his leadership. Trump accused Biden of being more focused on taking weekends at his Delaware beach house than on managing the crisis, drawing parallels to what they claim was an absent response during the Maui disaster. Trump himself visited Georgia and distributed aid, claiming that under his watch, relief efforts would have been swift and comprehensive. Vice President Harris, meanwhile, was criticized for attending a fundraiser in California as Helene tore through the Southeast​.

To counter these criticisms, Biden has planned visits to some of the worst-hit areas, including North Carolina, where he aims to personally assess the damage. The president defended his decision to work remotely from Delaware during the weekend, emphasizing that he remained in constant contact with FEMA and state officials​. He also expressed anger at Trump’s remarks, accusing his predecessor of spreading misinformation about the administration’s efforts.

Despite these defenses, there are undeniable logistical challenges. In parts of North Carolina, where floodwaters and landslides have isolated entire communities, local residents have had to take recovery into their own hands. Taylor Shelton, a Yancey County resident, described how her family spent days clearing roads themselves, unable to wait for federal assistance. “It’s like a scene from ‘War of the Worlds’ out here,” she said, describing the devastation​.

Federal agencies, including FEMA, have acknowledged these difficulties but insist they are doing everything possible to accelerate the recovery process. More than 1,900 people have been rescued so far, and FEMA has distributed over 1.9 million meals and 1 million liters of water to the affected regions. Additionally, efforts are underway to restore communication services, with 40 Starlink satellite systems already deployed to assist emergency responders.

Nevertheless, the administration's critics maintain that these efforts are too slow and too bureaucratic. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has also mobilized his state’s resources to assist Floridians stranded in North Carolina, further highlighting the gaps in the federal response.

As Biden prepares to survey the damage firsthand, many Americans are watching closely to see if the administration can overcome the backlash and deliver the necessary relief to the victims of Hurricane Helene. With the next election looming, the president’s handling of this disaster could have significant political repercussions. The lingering memory of the Maui wildfires and now Helene might prove to be a pivotal issue in the public’s judgment of Biden’s leadership abilities.

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