Vice President Kamala Harris visited Georgia on Wednesday to meet with families and assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, offering comfort and support to those affected.
During her visit to Augusta, Harris toured a Red Cross relief center, met with local officials, handed out food, and spoke about federal disaster aid, as reported by the Associated Press.
The president and I have been closely monitoring the situation from the beginning to ensure that federal resources are delivered as quickly as possible, Harris said, according to The New York Times. That work is already underway.
President Joe Biden also visited the Southeast on Wednesday, stopping in both North Carolina and South Carolina, about 200 miles away from Harris. The United States has your back, Biden said, according to ABC News. We won’t leave until you’re fully back on your feet.
Biden and Harris’ visits came on the same day the president announced the deployment of 1,000 active-duty troops from the Defense Department to assist with distributing food, water, and other supplies. These troops will join 6,000 National Guard members and 4,800 federal aid workers already aiding in relief efforts.
According to White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, Biden is scheduled to visit both Florida and Georgia on Thursday. Harris is expected to travel to North Carolina soon.
As of Wednesday, the death toll across the region had reached at least 162, with officials warning that the number could rise. In Buncombe County, which Biden toured by helicopter to assess areas cut off by the storm, at least 57 deaths were reported.
Millions are without power and water, and hundreds are still missing.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida last Thursday before sweeping through five other states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia—leaving widespread devastation. In Buncombe County, an emergency official described the damage as biblical, according to the BBC.
Earlier in the week, former President Donald Trump visited Georgia to assess the damage and deliver remarks, during which he criticized Biden and Harris for not visiting the state sooner. He also falsely claimed that Republican Gov. Brian Kemp was unable to reach the president. Kemp later confirmed he had spoken to Biden on Sunday, who offered any needed federal assistance.
During her visit to Augusta, Harris emphasized the importance of seeing the damage firsthand. After meeting with first responders at the Augusta Emergency Operations Center, she thanked them and acknowledged their hard work over the past few days.
I’ve been hearing about the incredible work you’ve been doing, and it truly represents the best of what can be achieved when local, state, and federal resources come together to support those in need, Harris said.