As the southeastern United States begins the long process of recovery from Hurricane Helene’s devastating impact, FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is warning that the road to recovery will be “complicated” and will require a multi-faceted response from local, state, and federal agencies.
The storm, which made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, has left a trail of destruction across five states, including Georgia, Tennessee, and the Carolinas, resulting in over 60 deaths and millions without power. The sheer scale of the disaster is evident in the images of flooded towns, collapsed bridges, and houses swept away by the storm’s powerful winds and rain.
Local and state governments have been working around the clock to conduct search and rescue missions, provide essential supplies, and restore critical infrastructure. However, as the affected areas look to the federal government for support, Criswell acknowledges that the recovery process will be a complex and challenging one.
“We have the resources and the expertise to support this response,” Criswell said on CBS News’s Face the Nation. “FEMA is part of a larger team, and we’re working closely with other federal agencies to bring in the necessary resources to support the affected communities.”
The storm’s impact has been widespread, with critical water systems, roads, communication networks, and residential areas all affected. In some areas, residents have been advised to boil water before consumption or evacuate due to concerns over dam failures.
The situation in western North Carolina, where the storm caused historic flooding, is particularly dire. “I don’t think anyone could have been fully prepared for the amount of flooding and landslides that they’re experiencing,” Criswell said. “But we’ve had teams on the ground for several days, and we’re working closely with local authorities to support their response efforts.”
FEMA’s response efforts have included facilitating search and rescue missions, providing bottled water, and deploying Starlink satellites to areas without power or cellular service. The agency is also assessing hospitals in the affected regions to determine their ability to support those in need.
As the recovery process gets underway, Criswell emphasized that FEMA will continue to provide technical assistance and resources to support the affected communities. “Recovery can be complicated, and these five states will have very complicated recoveries,” she said. “But we’re committed to bringing in the necessary resources to help them rebuild.”
As of Sunday, more than 2 million homes and businesses across the southeast were still without power, according to PowerOutage.us.
