Jonathan Howard of the Florida National Guard speaks to Fox News viewers about Hurricane Helen recovery efforts and says much of the mainstream media and many politicians, especially President Biden, are painting a more optimistic picture of the government's response than reality. he accused.
Howard said Saturday that those evacuated by Helen “got everything they need and they're overall very happy.”
“These people are trapped in the mountains. What are we going to do? Can we order something? We can't even have it delivered to our homes…” [it’s a] Complete failure of leadership. Everything depends on leadership, and there is no leadership here. There is no command and control. “No one knows what's going on,” he continued.
FEMA denies claims that aid to storm victims will be capped at $750.
Johnson slams Biden administration's 'lack of leadership' on Helen: 'Alarmed and disappointed'
A home is destroyed by Hurricane Helen on September 30, 2024, near Fairview, North Carolina. According to published reports, local residents say there are multiple deaths and missing people in the area as a result of the storm. (Sean Rayford)
Agency website “This is a type of support that may be approved quickly after you apply, called severe needs support. Upfront, flexible payments to cover essentials such as food, water, formula and breastfeeding supplies. ” There are other forms of assistance you may be eligible to receive, such as medicine and other emergency supplies, and this is the first payment you can receive while FEMA evaluates your eligibility for additional funds. ”
“As your application continues to be reviewed, you may receive additional assistance for other needs such as temporary housing, personal property, and home repair costs,” the site added.
Samaritan's Purse continues Helen relief efforts with three water treatment systems in North Carolina
Meanwhile, Biden's assertion that storm victims are “getting everything they need” means “what are states in the storm zone doing…what do they need after what we saw today?” In response to a reporter's question, “Is that so?”
The president had just returned from a visit to Georgia and Florida, where the storm continues to cause widespread power outages and damage.
Biden appeared to have trouble remembering which storm zone the reporter was talking about before responding.
Howard continues to criticize the government's response to Helen, but says civilians are running operations in many of the affected areas and that Florida's leadership has handled the situation much more effectively than elsewhere. he told Mr. Kilmeade.
Homes seen in the aftermath of Hurricane Helen, Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Chimney Rock Village, North Carolina (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
“I knew where the governor was before the hurricane, during the hurricane, and after. And actually the governor sent me here to help solve the problem, but people don't know anything. There's just no order here. Everything is on us.'' All of our information comes from Facebook and private citizen groups. ”
He also said that when he headed to North Carolina to help with recovery efforts, he was initially denied entry, but that responsibility for the blockade was passed on to him by multiple government agencies.
To add to the confusion, he repeated a common claim by others that calling for help from others in a helicopter is also difficult.
“So I saw some Air Force Blackhawks with a couple of rescuers, all of them specialized rescue paramedics. I approached them, started talking, exchanged intel, and they It looked like this: 'We would like to go flying, but we can't. I'm waiting for your order for Title X,'' and I was like, “Huh?'' And a lot of my military friends are saying… they don't even get permission to come here. And there are a lot of troops here. I have a Guard and I have active duty. They all message me. Pilot division pilot commander, helicopter pilot. And they're saying, 'We're not going to give you permission to go there,''' he said.
“That's what I want people to understand. Why doesn't the government want to send these helicopters? Yes, I'll see security guards and a few working birds. I'll see three You might see National Guard helicopters, and you'll see 40 civilian helicopters conducting rescue operations. ”
North Carolina Legislature Tills, Budd convene military leaders to oversee Hurricane Helen response
The storm-ravaged Southeast continues to search for some semblance of peace after Hurricane Helen's torrential rains and high winds swept away homes and communities, leaving an unprecedented number of victims in limbo. .
In remote communities in the mountains affected by Helen, many people have lost contact with the rest of the world and are therefore receiving aid. Roads and bridges are badly damaged or washed away, fallen trees further hamper relief efforts, and power outages further complicate life. Ability to communicate with others.
With roads impassable in many places, some teams have resorted to traditional methods of transporting essential supplies to isolated areas, using mules and horses.
Those evacuated by Helen still need donations of essential items such as canned goods, bottled water, clothing, baby and pet supplies, hygiene products, first aid supplies, blankets and other items.
We reached out to the White House and FEMA for comment, but neither responded in time for publication.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
