**Biden and Harris Navigate Storm Crisis in the Southeast**

In the aftermath of a catastrophic storm, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have embarked on visits to South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia to assess damage and support relief efforts. Hurricane Helene, a devastating Category 4 hurricane, struck on September 26, causing unprecedented flooding and destruction across multiple states, including Florida, Tennessee, and Virginia. The calamity has so far claimed at least 155 lives, with hundreds more still unaccounted for and over a million people left without electricity.

Upon arriving in South Carolina on Wednesday afternoon, President Biden joined Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who emphasized the severity of the situation. "We have towns that have disappeared, literally," Mayorkas stated, highlighting the long-term, multi-billion-dollar efforts required for recovery. In his first stop in Greenville, South Carolina, Biden convened with local officials such as Governor Henry McMaster, Senator Lindsey Graham, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.

Biden's itinerary also included an aerial survey of Asheville, North Carolina, a location severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. Expressing sympathy for the affected, Biden remarked, "My heart goes out to everyone who has experienced unthinkable loss. We are here for you - and we will stay here for as long as it takes." The President also committed to dispatching 1,000 active-duty soldiers to assist in North Carolina’s emergency response operations.

Meanwhile, Vice President Harris arrived in Georgia to receive updates on the state's recovery efforts. She plans to visit North Carolina in the coming days as part of her itinerary. These visits hold significant weight as the Biden administration’s response to the disaster is under intense scrutiny, especially with the upcoming November elections, where North Carolina and Georgia are key battlegrounds.

Former President Donald Trump has criticized Biden’s disaster management, claiming that Biden was "sleeping" during the crisis and accused Harris of staging emergency response photos. Biden refuted these accusations, stating that his priority has been ensuring that relief and rescue efforts were not hindered by his visit. "My top priority is to ensure the communities devastated by this hurricane get the help and support they need as quickly as possible," Biden asserted to reporters on Tuesday.