ASHEVILLE, N.C. — President Joe Biden will visit North Carolina on Wednesday in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, NBC News reported on Monday.
Biden had said earlier on Monday that the federal government would be with survivors and others in the nation’s southeast affected by Helene “as long as it takes.”
He expected to ask Congress for additional money for disaster assistance and intends to travel to North Carolina later this week when his presence wouldn’t divert from live-saving search-and-rescue missions.
The White House also said Vice President Kamala Harris will visit the storm-ravaged areas "as soon as it is possible without disrupting emergency response operations.” At a Las Vegas rally Sunday night, Harris spoke about the impact of Helene, saying, “I know everyone here sends their thoughts and prayer for the folks who have been so devastated by that hurricane.”
A North Carolina county that includes the mountain city of Asheville reported earlier Sunday that 30 people were killed due to the storm, pushing the overall death toll to at least 91 people across several states.
Biden on Sunday evening made calls to several state and local government officials in areas impacted by the hurricane, including Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp; North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper; Valdosta, Georgia Mayor Scott Matheson; and Taylor County, Florida Emergency Management Director John Louk.
Cooper toured storm damage on Monday alongside FEMA.
The Associated Press contributed to this report