Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright slammed the Biden-Harris administration’s response to Hurricane Helene, saying that the $750 in “immediate” relief funds offered to affected residents is insufficient and inaccessible to many.
In an interview with FOX News contributor Sara Carter, Wright expressed frustration with the administration’s handling of the disaster relief efforts. “If you’re going to give money, just give it to the people who need it,” he said. “Don’t make them jump through hoops and go online to apply for it.”
Wright noted that many residents in the affected areas do not have access to the internet, making it difficult for them to apply for the relief funds. “They don’t have a phone or computer,” he said. “Do you not see what the devastation is?”
Carter conducted the interview in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, where she found that many residents were struggling to access basic necessities, including the internet. “There’s nothing up here, there’s no phone or communication,” she said. “I’m going to be posting this later, there’s no way to access the internet unless you have a Starlink net.”
Wright praised Elon Musk for providing internet access through his Starlink network, saying “Thank you, Elon Musk.” He also had harsh words for the Biden-Harris administration, telling them to “stay away” and let local residents handle the relief efforts themselves.
The sheriff’s comments come as the Biden-Harris administration faces criticism for its response to the hurricane, including the paltry amount of relief funds offered to affected residents. The administration has argued that Americans can apply for additional assistance to repair storm-related damage to their homes and personal property, as well as for temporary housing.
As of October 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had provided $45 million in disaster relief, with $23 million going to Florida, $17 million to North Carolina, and $4.5 million to South Carolina.
