Sen. Ted Budd (R-NC) expressed his admiration for the resilience of North Carolina residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, a storm he described as a “500-, a thousand-year incident” that he hopes will never be repeated.
Budd, who appeared on Fox News’s Hannity, commended the people of western North Carolina for their ability to come together and support one another in the face of disaster. He also acknowledged the impact of the hurricane on other southeastern states, saying, “We’re praying for them as well.”
The senator praised the charitable efforts of organizations that have come to aid North Carolina, citing their selfless work as a testament to the power of community. He noted that private citizens, including those who have flown their personal aircraft and helicopters to assist in rescue efforts, have played a crucial role in providing support to those affected by the hurricane.
Budd also highlighted the generosity of billionaire Elon Musk, who has donated Starlink internet providers to isolated fire departments, enabling them to maintain communication with affected neighborhoods. The senator shared this news on X, while also welcoming the deployment of 1,000 active-duty soldiers to Western North Carolina, which he deemed “absolutely needed.”
Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), who has traveled to North Carolina to assist with recovery efforts, has criticized the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for allegedly diverting personnel from hurricane relief to immigration resettlement. This criticism comes as Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced that FEMA is facing a funding shortage for hurricane season.
President Joe Biden conducted a flyover of North and South Carolina on Wednesday to assess the damage caused by Hurricane Helene, which is estimated to be between $95 billion and $160 billion, depending on the source and criteria used.
