With at least 130 dead in the United States, Hurricane Helene takes on a political dimension

With a provisional death toll of 130 and devastation in the southeastern United States, Hurricane Helene entered the presidential campaign on Monday, with Donald Trump attacking the Biden administration's management of the disaster.

The extent of the damage from the hurricane, which hit Florida on Thursday evening before crossing other states, remains difficult to establish. Several areas remain inaccessible and without telephone and electricity networks.

“There are 600 people we have no news of,” Liz Sherwood-Randall, homeland security adviser to US President Joe Biden, said on Monday, saying she hoped that some of these people were “alive.”

Joe Biden speaking on Hurricane Helene on September 30, 2024 at the White House © AFP – Mandel NGAN

Georgia and North Carolina, two states particularly affected by this natural disaster, are among the seven pivotal states that could swing the presidential election on November 5.

– “Not responsive” –

Aerial view of damage around a house after Hurricane Helene, in Horseshoe Beach, Florida on September 28, 2024 © AFP – CHANDAN KHANNA

Donald Trump visited the devastated Georgia town of Valdosta on Monday. The Republican presidential candidate in November pledged to “bring a lot of relief supplies, including fuel, equipment and water” to those in need.

He announced that he had asked Elon Musk, the SpaceX boss with whom he is close, to deploy his Starlink satellite internet service in the region.

“The federal government is not responsive,” the former president lashed out on the scene, after earlier accusing the North Carolina Democratic government and authorities of “deliberately not helping people in Republican areas.”

“He's lying,” retorted a virulent Joe Biden. “What makes me angry (is that he) implies that we are not doing everything that is possible. (…) This is false and it is irresponsible.”

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Outgoing President Joe Biden has brushed aside Republican criticism of his handling of the crisis. “I spent at least two hours on the phone yesterday, and the day before,” he said, assuring that federal authorities would be “there as long as necessary.”

The Democrat also announced that he would travel to North Carolina on Wednesday. He had previously indicated that he would not travel as long as it could disrupt relief operations.

Wearing his usual red cap, Donald Trump also directly attacked his Democratic rival Kamala Harris, accusing her of being “on the road, campaigning” before stating himself that it was not the time “to talk politics”.

The vice president has nevertheless cancelled campaign events to hold a meeting on the disaster on Monday and announced that she would travel to the site soon.

– Neighborhoods wiped off the map –

A road damaged by Hurricane Helene in Steinhatchee, Florida on September 27, 2024 © AFP – CHANDAN KHANNA

In the devastated states, rescuers continue to work to find survivors and bring food to residents struck by the disaster, sometimes cut off from the world.

In the southern Appalachian Mountains, Helen caused flash floods with impressive damage.

Images from around Asheville, North Carolina, show neighborhoods wiped off the map here, roads destroyed there by a flooded river. Due to the lack of road access, the authorities are sending aid, water and food supplies by air.

At least 130 people have lost their lives, including 57 in North Carolina, 29 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia and 14 in Florida, according to a report compiled by AFP from statements by local authorities.

And for Joe Biden, there is “no doubt” that this devastation is due to climate change which, by warming the waters of the seas, makes, according to scientists, the rapid intensification of storms more likely and increases the risk of more powerful hurricanes.

On Monday evening, more than 1.6 million homes and businesses were still without electricity, according to the site poweroutage.

“This is an unprecedented storm,” said North Carolina Democratic Gov. Ray Cooper, describing “an emotional and material toll that is indescribable.”

He refuted Donald Trump's accusations that Republican victims were being neglected: “If you need help, we will provide it,” he said. “If there was ever a time to come together and put politics aside, it is now.”

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