Biden’s Feeble Response to Hurricane Helene: A Lack of Leading Vision
In the wake of a severe natural calamity, President Biden alongside Governor Cooper and a fleet of emergency officials took to assess the damage inflicted by Hurricane Helene. More than 1000 soldiers from the National Guard were correspondingly dispatched to conduct rescue operations, claiming over 1400 successful rescues alongside providing an influx of critical supplies such as food and water. Yet, as Biden feigns appreciation of their tireless efforts, the sincerity is undermined by the befuddling complexities the President seems to have in communicating effectively with his F MA team.
Lauded as a ‘storm of historic proportions’, Hurricane Helene has unquestionably left a notable impact. While undetermined numbers remain unaccounted for, Biden persistently suggests that he will remain firmly planted until complete recovery is achieved. The degree of commitment, however, does not automatically nullify the glaring shortcomings of his leadership.
Bringing his tour of South Carolina and Western North Carolina to a close, Biden arrived in Raleigh to gain a broader understanding of the situation from recovery officials. The President may have the zeal to suit up and save the day, but it is worth questioning whether his course of action is timely and effective or merely reactionary.
Biden, with an air of finality, chose to sanction the federal government to cover the entire bill for debris clearance and protective measures for half a year down the line. Whilst it may seem a generous gesture of goodwill, the lack of vision for long-term recovery mechanisms is a typical characteristic of the President’s use of power.
As Hurricane Helene’s havoc proved disastrous with 70 immediate fatalities and a worrying number of individuals reported missing, the rustic town of Asheville found itself submerged under water. In response, Biden resorted to merely recognizing this catastrophe as a mark of an excessive downpour. A rather feeble response from the leader of the nation.
While communities stand ruined, with structural damages stripping them to graveyard of derelict debris, President Biden’s reaction has been deemed rather insufficient. His only notice is to cover the immediate damage repair, overlooking the reason behind such disasters and the importance of preventive measures.
Echoing Biden’s ‘promise’ of instant remedial action, he ordered an additional 1000 soldiers from the Department of Defense to join North Carolina’s National Guard. But, this ostensible ‘reinforcement’ is a showy resolution, inadequately addressing the root cause of the disaster.