Former President Donald Trump announced plans to travel to areas affected by Hurricane Helene, which devastated large parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and several additional states.
"President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States, will visit Valdosta, Georgia to receive a briefing on the devastation of Hurricane Helene, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies, and deliver remarks to the press," the Trump Campaign announced in a press release.
Hurricane Helene has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Katrina after the storm caused widespread destruction across large swaths of the American South. The storm has caused significant damage far inland, with rural areas in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida particularly hard hit.
As of Sunday morning, the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) activated more than 500 soldiers and airmen and more than 200 vehicles and aircraft in order to assist with rescue operations. Across 16 air missions, officials have thus far rescued 119 people and 11 pets.
Asheville, North Carolina absorbed some of the most extensive storm damage from the Category Four storm. Large portions of the community and surrounding areas have been left underwater, while hundreds of buildings have been swept away or destroyed entirely by flooding.
On Sunday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for North Carolina in order to assist with the fallout from the storm. "We will do all we can to help North Carolina officials respond to the health impacts of Hurricane Helene," Becerra said. "We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as with our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support."
The Biden Administration had already declared public health emergencies for Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.
Prior to his rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Sunday, former President Trump led supporters in a prayer for those affected by the disaster.
"Before we begin, I'd like to send my love and prayers to the families of those who have died, a lot of death, and all of those who are displaced and suffering in the wake of the hurricanes' destruction in the South, especially in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and in particular western North Carolina, took a tremendous hit," Trump said.
"It's been absolutely devastating. And God be with you all. It's been a rough one. That was a big monster hurricane and was a lot ... harder than anyone even thought possible. So, we want to just extend our best wishes to everybody," he continued.
As of this report, the storm has caused more than 70 deaths and billions of dollars in damage across the American South. Rescue efforts are ongoing.
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