What's happened
Hurricane Helene has caused extensive damage across the Southeast U.S., with over 130 fatalities reported. Rescue efforts are hampered by infrastructure failures, and President Biden has pledged long-term federal support for recovery. The storm's aftermath highlights the challenges of rebuilding in affected areas, particularly in North Carolina and Florida.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Jacey Fortin in the New York Times, President Biden described the storm's impact as 'history-making' and pledged long-term aid. He noted that recovery would take a 'hell of a long time.' In contrast, Al Jazeera reported that North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper emphasized the emotional and physical toll, stating, 'Rivers are still rising, so the danger is not over.' This highlights the ongoing challenges faced by affected communities as they navigate recovery efforts.
How we got here
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida as a Category 4 storm, causing severe flooding and destruction across multiple states. The storm's impact has been described as unprecedented, with significant loss of life and infrastructure damage, particularly in southern Appalachia.
More on these topics
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North Carolina is a state in the southeastern region of the United States. North Carolina is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the 50 United States.
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Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is an American politician who is the 46th and current president of the United States. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 47th vice president from 2009 to 2017 and represented Delaware in the United States Senate
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Georgia is a state in the Southeastern Region of the United States. Georgia is the 24th-largest in area and 8th-most populous of the 50 United States.
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Kamala Devi Harris is an American attorney and politician who has served as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017.
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South Carolina is a state in the Southeastern United States and the easternmost of the Deep South. It is bordered to the north by North Carolina, to the southeast by the Atlantic Ocean, and to the southwest by Georgia across the Savannah River.