Over 130 Dead in Hurricane Helene: U.S. Tragedy Turns Political

The disaster has already resulted in over 130 deaths and 600 missing, with numbers likely to rise. Donald Trump has sharply criticized the management of the situation. What will happen next?

The Hurricane Helene Catastrophe: A Political Issue

On September 30, 2024, Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeastern United States, leaving a provisional toll of 130 dead and 600 missing. This natural disaster quickly turned into a political controversy.

Trump Criticizes the Biden Administration

Former President and Republican candidate Donald Trump visited Valdosta, one of the hardest-hit areas in Georgia, promising to “bring a lot of relief supplies”.

He sharply criticized the Biden administration’s response to the crisis, accusing it of inaction and indifference towards Republican areas.

Biden’s Response

Joe Biden countered these criticisms, asserting that his administration was doing “everything possible” to assist the victims. He emphasized that federal authorities would remain “as long as necessary” to support relief efforts.

The winds are already extremely strong, but Helene, a category 4 hurricane, has not yet made landfall… Winds expected to exceed 200 km/h, with storm surges up to 6 meters above ground level. On smartphones, alerts blast: “Go to #hurricanehelene2024 #usa #climate pic.twitter.com/svQDjeOUyy

— Claude Guibal (@ClaudeGuibal) September 27, 2024

The Link to Climate Change

President Biden also highlighted the impact of climate change on this disaster. He stated unequivocally that the warming of sea waters, due to the climate crisis, makes the rapid intensification of storms more likely, increasing the risk of more powerful hurricanes.

With 1.6 million homes and businesses still without power, relief efforts are far from over. This catastrophe underscores the importance of taking effective action to combat climate change.