Biden Faces Criticism After Seemingly Forgetting About Hurricane Helene


On Wednesday evening, outside the White House, President Joe Biden was asked about the federal response to Hurricane Helene, which had recently ravaged parts of the southeastern United States, including Florida and North Carolina. His response left many surprised and concerned about the administration’s handling of the disaster.

After a brief pause, Biden responded, “Oh, storm zone? I didn’t know which storm you’re talking about,” before quickly asserting that the states affected by the storm were receiving everything they needed and that “they’re very happy.”

This statement, however, seemed to conflict with the ongoing struggles faced by millions of Americans who are still coping with the devastation left behind by Hurricane Helene. In the aftermath of the storm, many residents are still waiting for government assistance, with some digging through the rubble of their homes and others awaiting rescue from flooded areas.

The Biden administration’s response to the disaster has been criticized by both political opponents and even typically supportive media outlets. Critics argue that the federal government’s actions have been slow and ineffective, leaving many victims of the hurricane without much-needed assistance. Some have drawn comparisons to past disaster management failures, like the widely criticized response to Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

A viral video shared by RNC Research highlighted Biden’s seemingly unaware response, with the caption: “He is not in charge of anything. He’s probably in the dark on the whole #Helene disaster.” Many have echoed this sentiment, questioning the president’s understanding of the situation on the ground.

One of the more notable criticisms came from John Cardillo, a former NYPD officer and conservative commentator, who tweeted: “The video below makes it very clear that Biden has no idea what is going on in NC. He is not in charge of anything. He’s probably in the dark on the whole #Helene disaster.”

While Biden claimed that the federal response was meeting the needs of those affected by the storm, the reality for many on the ground tells a different story. Hurricane Helene, which struck Florida and North Carolina with devastating force, has left communities struggling to recover. Residents are still waiting for substantial government assistance, and some areas remain unreachable due to flooding and mudslides.

Reuters has been particularly critical of the federal response, drawing attention to gaps in FEMA’s assistance programs. In an article titled “Hurricane Helene exposes FEMA assistance gap in Appalachian areas,” Reuters detailed how the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) has failed to adequately serve the residents of hard-hit regions. The report revealed that only a small fraction of single-family homes in these areas are covered by flood insurance, leaving many victims without the resources they need to rebuild.

According to the Reuters analysis, “Roughly 1 in 200 single-family homes in the region is covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP),” a figure far lower than coverage in coastal and riverside neighborhoods, which are typically the focus of the program. This lack of insurance coverage is particularly devastating given the extreme rainfall brought by Hurricane Helene, which dumped over 14 inches of rain in parts of western North Carolina, causing mudslides and overflowing creeks.

Aaron Smith, a resident of Bat Cave, North Carolina, saw his home completely destroyed by the storm. Now facing an uncertain future, Smith lamented, “It’s horrendous. I don’t see anything to go back to.” His experience is just one of many in the region where the federal response has been seen as inadequate.

Adding to the frustration, reports have surfaced indicating that FEMA may not have been fully prepared to handle the scale of the disaster. Despite earlier reassurances, there are concerns that the agency is running out of funds, potentially jeopardizing its ability to assist those in need. Just three months ago, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas assured the public that FEMA was “tremendously prepared” for the hurricane season. However, recent statements suggest a different reality. In a tweet from journalist Gregg Re, Mayorkas is quoted saying that FEMA “is out of money and can’t make it through hurricane season,” highlighting the severe financial strain facing the agency.

The apparent lack of preparedness has left many questioning the effectiveness of the Biden administration’s disaster response. The gaps in FEMA’s assistance programs have left regions like Appalachia particularly vulnerable, as the extreme rainfall from Hurricane Helene led to unprecedented flooding in areas that are not traditionally considered high-risk for such disasters.

For many Americans, the slow and insufficient federal response to Hurricane Helene has drawn comparisons to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. In both cases, the federal government was criticized for being slow to deliver aid and for failing to provide adequate resources to the most affected areas. While the media was quick to scrutinize the Bush administration for its handling of Katrina, some argue that Biden’s response is not receiving the same level of media critique, despite similar concerns about the speed and effectiveness of aid delivery.

As the cleanup from Hurricane Helene continues, residents of North Carolina and other affected states are left waiting for a more robust federal response. The lack of insurance coverage, the slow delivery of aid, and the continued uncertainty surrounding FEMA’s ability to assist have left many feeling abandoned in the wake of the disaster.

For now, communities across the storm’s path continue to pick up the pieces, hoping that the federal government will step in with the support they so desperately need.