A frustrated North Carolina sheriff expressed sharp criticism [1] of the Biden-Harris administration’s handling of relief efforts for Hurricane Helene survivors, arguing that the $750 in “immediate” relief offered by the government pales in comparison to the billions sent to Ukraine and requires access to the internet — something many of the hardest-hit areas still lack.
Spartanburg County Sheriff Chuck Wright voiced his concerns in an interview with FOX News contributor Sara Carter during her visit to Chimney Rock, North Carolina, one of the regions severely affected by the hurricane.
The interview, which was conducted without internet access, was later uploaded to X (formerly known as Twitter) by Carter on Tuesday.
“That lady that’s running for president talks about the $750. Heh — what about all that money you give to Ukraine and all these other people who really want to kill us and don’t want to do anything to help us,” Sheriff Wright said, referring to Vice President Kamala Harris, who is the 2024 Democratic nominee for president. “Why don’t you just give that money to them, that’s who you want to give it to to begin with.”
Wright’s remarks highlighted the frustration many residents are feeling as they struggle to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene.
The $750 in immediate relief offered by the federal government has sparked widespread criticism for being insufficient, especially when contrasted with the recent $8 billion in aid announced for Ukraine.
Carter noted that many residents she spoke to had been unable to access the $750 relief funds. Wright responded by pointing out the impracticality of the government’s approach, stating, “Well, they talked about ‘get on your phone and computer.’ Do you not see what the devastation is? They don’t have a phone or computer!”
Carter confirmed that communication infrastructure in the area remained severely damaged. “There’s nothing up here, there’s no phone or communication. I’m going to be posting this later, there’s no way to access the internet unless you have a Starlink net,” she said, referencing the satellite-based internet service.
“Thank you, Elon Musk,” Wright added, acknowledging the role of Starlink in providing connectivity to isolated areas.
A message from the Sheriff Wright and Sheriff Ellenburg in North Carolina regarding FEMA and the aftermath Hurricane Helen- we spent the day in Chimney Rock and Lake Lure and the devastation is unbelievable- but the people of NC have pulled together – truly amazing mountain… pic.twitter.com/LwgrRM9xAx [2]
— Sara A. Carter (@SaraCarterDC) October 8, 2024 [3]
As of Monday, more than 255,000 customers across the Southeast were still without power, according to Breitbart News.
Many areas, including parts of North Carolina, are still reeling from the storm’s impact, making it difficult for residents to access government relief programs that require an online application process.
Sheriff Wright also had a message for the Biden-Harris administration: “If you’re going to be doing the things you’re talking about doing, we’d just as soon you stay out of the way and let the good men and women around the mountain area and the foothills take care of their own because you’re nothing more than a boat anchor.”
Wright, like many in the region, called for former President Donald Trump to return to the political stage, saying, “Come soon, President Donald Trump, we need you. We need you.”
The Biden-Harris administration’s $750 relief offer was announced last week, intended to provide immediate assistance for those affected by Hurricane Helene.
However, the amount has been criticized as insufficient, particularly in light of the billions sent to Ukraine for aid.
In response to the criticism, the administration has pointed out that additional assistance is available for Americans to repair storm-related damage to their homes and personal property, as well as to help displaced residents find temporary housing.
On October 4, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that it had already provided $45 million in disaster relief, including $23 million to Florida, $17 million to North Carolina, and $4.5 million to South Carolina.
Despite these efforts, many in the hardest-hit areas remain frustrated with what they view as a slow and inadequate federal response, leaving local leaders like Sheriff Wright to call for more substantial action and aid for their communities.