Biden to Tour Southeast After Hurricane Helene

President Joe Biden announced plans to visit areas impacted by Hurricane Helene later this week, contingent on ongoing rescue operations. The storm has caused significant devastation across six states, with the death toll exceeding 121 and many residents still unaccounted for. North Carolina, particularly Buncombe County, has been severely affected, leading to widespread power outages and damaged infrastructure. Biden emphasized the need for potential congressional funding to aid the recovery and expressed his commitment to not disrupt emergency efforts with his visit. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has deployed personnel to provide assistance, while Biden criticized Vice President Kamala Harris for her fundraising events during the crisis. Former President Donald Trump is also visiting affected areas, further intensifying the political scrutiny surrounding disaster response efforts.