Officials discuss government response to Helene
Destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. (Courtesy: MGN)
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- There are now over two hundred deaths from Hurricane Helene across the Southeast.
As recovery efforts continue to escalate, some are asking if the government is doing enough in their response.
As the scope of the Helene disaster continues to escalate just to our east, the job of many now is to figure out how to respond to that tragedy.
Officials believe both local, state, and federal agencies are doing everything they can, but are running into an unfathomable situation.
Representative Chuck Fleischmann said, “This is number three, after Katrina and Sandy. This storm is not just a storm, this is a matter where it hit just a few houses, complete towns have been wiped out.”
The staggering destruction from Hurricane Helene has presented numerous challenges in the response effort.
Scenes of roads wiped out, isolating whole communities, is placing the planning of how to rebuild into a state of flux.
Rep. Fleischmann said, “There are families, individuals, who have not been heard from. The death toll is sadly rising, which is to be expected. There are probably hundreds of people that we have not heard from in these areas, and the ability to logistically to get into these areas, maybe a bridge is washed out, maybe a road washed out, these are very rural areas that are hard to get to in good times.”
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee said that he has been encouraged by the response from both the public and private sector.
Gov. Lee said, “What we’ve seen is a historic situation unfold in East Tennessee, and what I think frankly is a historic response to that.”
FEMA is currently using 20 billion dollars that was recently approved by Congress, but is unlikely to get another supplement until after Congress reconvenes next month.
Rep. Fleischmann said, “The magnitude of the storm has been so overwhelming and so devastating, it’s going to take time. What I suggest is we all work together. People have their hearts right. A lot of prayers, a lot of resources, that is good. There is a role for local, state, and the federal government to play, and they’re playing them.”
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