Staff Reports
The Biden-Harris administration appears to be juggling a hurricane disaster while attempting to shape its own narrative in the face of severe criticism over its response to the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. With Hurricane Milton potentially swelling to a Category 5 storm and headed straight for Tampa, one can’t help but wonder if this administration has more experience in public relations than in actually handling natural disasters.
The White House is essentially patting itself on the back, pledging support to communities that could be impacted by Hurricane Milton. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre emphasized the administration’s commitment to providing help, which may sound reassuring on the surface but rings hollow when juxtaposed with the chaos still evident in North Carolina. The so-called promised support seems to be drowning in a sea of criticism, with local officials and aid groups stepping up to fill the substantial gaps left by federal inaction.
While Milton has become a force to be reckoned with, barreling across the Gulf Coast with wind speeds reaching 175 mph, North Carolina residents are left wondering where all the help is after suffering the wrath of Helene. The Biden administration, in an apparent effort to look busy, has dispatched a few thousand troops to assist in the recovery effort, but critics have pointed out that it feels more like a political stunt than genuine relief. In a particularly cynical twist, it’s ironic that the federal response is almost overshadowed by the looming 2024 elections, a fact that doesn’t go unnoticed in a swing state like North Carolina.
Rep. Cory Mills, a Florida Republican and Army combat veteran, has raised the alarm bells about the real death toll in North Carolina, believing estimates are drastically underreported. It seems there’s pressure mounting not just from concerned citizens but also from political opponents, looking to exploit what appears to be an administration mirroring the slow response of FEMA during Hurricane Katrina. Former President Trump has even called out the Biden administration for seemingly prioritizing foreign aid over American lives, particularly when funds are being directed to international causes while our own citizens struggle.
Biden, Harris get double-barreled disaster test with Helene closely followed by Hurricane Miltonhttps://t.co/HoXXsp37L7 pic.twitter.com/MAZlrarhf6
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) October 8, 2024
As local leaders struggle to communicate the reality on the ground in North Carolina, it’s evident that they’re fighting two battles: one against the elements and another against an underwhelming federal response. Critics contend that while Vice President Kamala Harris seems more focused on international missions rather than domestic crises, the people of North Carolina are left waiting for the administration’s much-touted support—support that feels a lot like empty promises.
Just as Hurricane Milton is on the horizon and the nation waits with bated breath, it becomes clear that if North Carolina’s recovery is any indication of how well the Biden-Harris administration can handle a disaster, Americans might want to batten down the hatches and keep a close eye on their local officials, because federal relief might be coming in a little late, if at all.
