In separate visits to Georgia and the Carolinas, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Southeast region of the U.S. on Wednesday to survey damage wrought by Hurricane Helene, which is confirmed to have killed 177 people thus far. Hundreds of people remain unaccounted for following Helene’s destruction, with more than 150,000 households have registered for assistance with the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The president said Tuesday that the cost of the massive storm could stretch into the billions of dollars: ‘We have to jump start this recovery process. This is urgent.’  Biden visited North Carolina taking an aerial tour of some of the hardest-hit parts of the state; while nearly 200 miles to the south in Georgia, Harris was in Augusta to survey Helene’s damage.  Harris shared: ″I’ve been reading and hearing about the work you’ve been doing over the last few days, and I think it really does represent some of the best of what we each know can be done. Especially when we coordinate around local, state, federal resources to meet the needs of people who must be seen, who must be heard. I am now listening.”

Before departing the White House, Biden announced he had directed up to 1,000 active-duty troops to support the North Carolina National Guard. Biden said in a statement: “These soldiers will speed up the delivery of life-saving supplies of food, water, and medicine to isolated communities in North Carolina — they have the manpower and logistical capabilities to get this vital job done, and fast. They will join hundreds of North Carolina National Guard members deployed under State authorities in support of the response.”

Wednesday’s visits by Biden and Harris come shortly after former President Donald Trump traveled to devastated Valdosta, Georgia, to see Helene’s destruction firsthand.

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