The mayor of Newland, North Carolina, Derek Roberts, is expressing frustration over what he calls failures in the Biden-Harris administration’s response to Hurricane Helene. Roberts, whose daughter’s home was destroyed in the storm, directly blamed Kamala Harris for misleading the public about FEMA’s efforts to provide adequate disaster relief.
Newland, a small town with a population of 719 according to the 2020 census, is one of many communities struggling to recover from the devastation left by Hurricane Helene.
Speaking with Fox News on Tuesday, Mayor Roberts shared his anger after his daughter’s request for financial aid from FEMA was denied.
Trump Surging to Victory – Get the Ultimate Trumpinator Bobblehead as He Closes in on 2024!
Despite Harris’s assurances that residents could receive a $750 relief payment, Roberts claimed his daughter was only approved for $300 to cover personal items.
“My daughter, whose house got completely wiped out—she has no flood insurance—meets with a FEMA person, applies for everything, and doesn’t get the $750 that Kamala says she’s supposed to get. Gets approved for $300 for personal items. What is that gonna do?” Roberts said in frustration.
Hurricane Helene, which made landfall along the southern East Coast more than a week ago, has overwhelmed federal resources as officials attempt to process a flood of relief requests.
Roberts’s daughter is just one of tens of thousands of storm victims still waiting for substantial assistance from the federal government.
Conservative commentators, including Blaze TV’s Glenn Beck, have criticized FEMA’s response, with some claiming that the agency has been more focused on shutting down rescue efforts than on delivering aid to those in need.
“Her entire first floor is literally wiped out,” Roberts said, describing the destruction his daughter faced. “Everything hauled off. So where is FEMA?” He added that the small amount of money she received wouldn’t even cover the cost of replacing the food lost in her refrigerator.
🚨 #BREAKING: North Carolina Mayor’s very own daughter applied for Kamala’s $750 FEMA payment and was DENIED.
No relief for Hurricane Helene victims. pic.twitter.com/7b767NmxrZ
— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) October 9, 2024
The situation is further complicated by the impending arrival of Hurricane Milton, another record-breaking storm expected to hit many of the same areas already devastated by Helene.
Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that he would delay overseas travel to focus on preparations for Milton, a move seen as an acknowledgment of the political fallout facing the Biden-Harris administration due to the perceived mismanagement of hurricane relief.
Vice President Harris, who has been tasked with overseeing FEMA’s response, is facing increasing criticism as the agency struggles to meet the needs of affected residents.
Harris is set to embark on a series of media appearances, but her performance in previous interviews has raised concerns about her ability to address these mounting issues effectively.
Adding to the controversy, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas recently admitted that FEMA lacks the funds necessary to manage the entire hurricane season.
This admission has fueled criticism from Republicans, who argue that excessive spending on other priorities, such as addressing the nation’s migrant crisis, has drained resources that should be directed toward disaster relief.
In a letter to Mayorkas, Congressman Matt Gaetz (R-FL) expressed outrage over FEMA’s handling of the situation. “FEMA has wasted taxpayer funds, misappropriated funds, and left other federal, state, and local responders without deployment orders on the ground,” Gaetz wrote.
BREAKING: FEMA whistleblowers have come forward alleging that the agency misappropriated funds in the wake of Helene, withheld pre-disaster aid, and that first responders and service members have been waiting in hotels without deployment orders. pic.twitter.com/uf0XrspRTz
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) October 4, 2024
He also highlighted reports that service members deployed to North Carolina have been left idle, waiting for orders from FEMA, while the agency’s pre-disaster aid efforts were delayed, exacerbating the crisis.
Gaetz also pointed to reports that NGOs have purchased airline tickets for migrants using FEMA funds, further fueling conservative criticism of the Biden-Harris administration’s resource allocation during a time of domestic emergency.
As Hurricane Milton approaches, the Biden-Harris administration faces mounting pressure to deliver effective disaster relief to the millions of Americans affected by the recent storms.
However, with FEMA’s funding in question and public trust waning, the administration’s response in the coming days will be crucial in determining whether it can restore confidence in its handling of natural disasters.
Join the Discussion
COMMENTS POLICY: We have no tolerance for messages of violence, racism, vulgarity, obscenity or other such discourteous behavior. Thank you for contributing to a respectful and useful online dialogue.