FAIRVIEW, N.C. (AP) – Vice President-elect J.D. Vance surveyed storm debris and spoke with first responders on Friday in his first public appearance, reflecting on the ongoing damage from Hurricane Helen. He assured Western North Carolina residents who were cleaning up that they have not been forgotten. First appearance since the election.
Vance said he made the visit because the holidays were approaching and he wanted to bring some comfort to those who were affected by the hurricane and are trying to rebuild their homes and livelihoods.
“My simple message to the people of Appalachia is that we have not forgotten you, and we love you,” he wrote about the region in his memoir Hillbilly Elegy. said Vance, who became famous for his work.
He added: “Certainly once we have a change of government in the next 45 days, we will do everything we can to help people rebuild, get back on their feet and bring commerce back to this region, but most importantly… The thing is to allow people to live in their own homes.”
The hurricane, which struck in late September, caused at least $53 billion in damage to North Carolina, according to state government estimates. The storm killed more than 100 North Carolinians and the state estimates it damaged more than 120,000 homes, at least 6,000 miles (9,700 kilometers) of roads, and more than 160 sewer and water systems.
The vice president-elect and his wife, Usha, visited the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department and heard that the building was flooded with 4 to 6 inches of water and that about a dozen people responding to hurricane damage had contracted walking pneumonia. The power outage left some first responders and their families unable to see each other for several days. At least one firefighter lost his life trying to save lives during the storm.
Vance also toured a two-story home that was being rebuilt after the storm. The construction is being handled by Samaritan’s Purse, an evangelical Christian charity led by Franklin Graham, the son of the late Reverend Billy Graham, known for his close ties to the US president.
“Despite the circumstances, I hope you have the best Christmas possible,” he said in a message to reporters after touring the affected homes.
In Buncombe County, which Vance visited on Friday, more than 60% of voters supported Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris in November’s presidential election. Liberal-minded Asheville is known for its vibrant arts scene and tourist attraction Biltmore Estate. The city’s arts district was severely damaged by Helen.
However, a majority of North Carolina voters supported President-elect Donald Trump, and Trump generally fared better among voters affected by Hurricane Helen. Republicans sharply criticized the Biden administration’s relief efforts, which President Joe Biden characterized as “un-American” misinformation.
According to AP VoteCast, a wide-ranging survey of voters, 26% of North Carolina voters are worried about their lives affected by hurricanes that damaged their homes, caused prolonged power outages, or disrupted their ability to vote. answered that it had an impact on Trump won 53% of those voters.
Vance has largely stayed out of public life since the Nov. 5 election, except to guide Trump administration Cabinet nominees around the Capitol.
After a trip to the region, Vance defended Pete Hegseth, saying that Trump’s defense secretary nominee should be held in the Senate rather than in a “sham hearing in front of the U.S. media” over allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking. He said it deserves a confirmation hearing.
The vice president-elect also said he doesn’t know whether he will escort Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for FBI director, around the Senate next week.
In North Carolina, the state Legislature has already allocated more than $900 million for disaster relief, but Gov. Roy Cooper is seeking at least $3.9 billion. Democratic governors and other state leaders have asked the federal government for $25 billion in aid.
Hundreds of miles of roads have been reopened and water systems restored, but progress is slow. More than 100,000 residents in western North Carolina were told just two weeks ago that they could once again use water from Asheville’s water system for bathing and drinking from their taps. Destroyed water systems in at least one isolated county could take years to rebuild.
Many Republicans and residents were critical of early recovery efforts by the federal government and the Cooper administration. There are concerns about securing winter housing for evacuees, and some supporters of Mr. Cooper have criticized Republicans for not providing subsidies to small businesses at risk of bankruptcy and home renters facing eviction. He blames the MPs.
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