Hurricane Helene collides with 2024 election as Trump goes to Georgia, Harris plans visit

This story was updated to add new information.

WASHINGTON ? The devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene collided Monday with the politics of the 2024 presidential race as former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris raced to show themselves in command of the situation.

The speed, quality and disputes over federal aid could have election ramifications in the battleground states of North Carolina and Georgia, both ravaged by flooding.

Trump on Monday visited Valdosta, Georgia, where he received a briefing on the hurricane's devastation. Trump said he brought trucks of relief aid with him to Georgia.

"We're not talking about politics now," Trump told reporters near a gutted store in the city, located north of the Florida border, though he later added, "we do need some help from the federal government."

More: Biden on Helene disaster: 'We're not leaving until the job is done'

Speaking at a campaign rally Sunday in Erie, Pennsylvania, Trump accused President Joe Biden of "sleeping right now" while the president spent the weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He mocked Harris for being at a San Francisco fundraiser Saturday "with her radical left lunatic donors, when big parts of our country have been devastated by that massive hurricane."

During his visit to Valdosta, Trump wrongly claimed Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp – who did not appear the event – had not been able to reach Biden about relief efforts. Yet Kemp himself on Monday recounted a conversation he had with Biden the day before in which the president asked the governor, "'Hey, what do you need?'"

Biden "offered that if there's other things we need, just to call him directly, which, I appreciate that," Kemp said.

More: Infant airlifted as Hurricane Helene aftermath devastates North Carolina

VP Harris to tour Helene damage 'as soon as possible'

Harris, who held a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, canceled other West Coast campaign stops to return to Washington on Monday for a briefing at FEMA headquarters. Harris spoke on Sunday with Kemp, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

"I have shared with them that we will do everything within our power to help communities respond and recover," Harris said "And I've shared with them I plan to be on the ground as soon as possible."

Harris said she wants to wait to ensure her visit doesn't disrupt emergency response operations. Biden said he will head to North Carolina on Wednesday.

More: Hard-hit areas struggling after Helene; at least 100 dead: Live updates

At least 100 people were killed and more than 2 million are without power across parts of western North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina and Virginia. Atlanta totaled more than 11 inches of rain in 48 hours, smashing a record that stood for almost 150 years. Western North Carolina took the brunt of the devastating rains, and more than 30 inches was recorded in some areas.

In Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes battered Asheville, the wreckage has been overwhelming.

"We have biblical devastation through the county. We’ve had biblical flooding here,” said Ryan Cole, the assistant director of Buncombe County Emergency Services.

More: Infant is airlifted from flooded NC as National Guard, FEMA reach communities

Biden, like Harris, said he held off on visiting North Carolina earlier to ensure his presence wouldn't be disruptive.

Biden said he spoke Sunday to Cooper, Kemp and officials from Florida, Tennessee and other states affected by the storm, calling it "not just a catastrophic storm" but a "history-making storm." FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell is on the ground in Asheville, North Carolina.

"I want them to know we're not leaving until the job is done," Biden said in remarks from the White House, adding that 3,600 federal workers have been deployed to the Southeast to assist with rescue efforts and clear debris.

In addition to FEMA personnel, this includes members of the National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers, workers from the Federal Communications Commission to help re-establish communications capability and Defense Department officials.

More: North Carolina town bands together after Helene wreaked havoc: 'That's what we do'

Biden defends leaving Washington over weekend

White House Homeland Security adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall said ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall that FEMA had focused the "pre-positioning" of search and rescue teams, temporary power teams and generators on the Big Bend region of Florida, where officials braced for the brunt of the storm.

However, western North Carolina and other parts of Appalachia – far from the Gulf coastline – ended up suffering the worst of the flooding.

"Mother Nature has a mind of her own," Sherwood-Randall said. "As good as our technologies are, as good as our National Hurricane Center is, it's just a forecast. And when a storm hits, we have to adapt and respond in real time."

She said FEMA in North Carolina is currently prioritizing clearing roads and removing debris, restoring communications and power, and ensuring health care needs, food and water in communities most in need.

More: 'Deep frustration' after cell phone outages persist after Hurricane Helene landfall

FEMA officials said the agenecy has 10 search and rescue teams on the ground, with another nine on the way, with more than 900 employees in the region. FEMA is installing 30 Starlink receivers in western North Carolina to help provide internet connectivity.

"We know there's more to do. We'll continue to serve resources, including food, water, communications and life-saving equipment," Biden said.

Biden bristled at a question from a reporter on criticism that he should have remained in Washington over the weekend to command the hurricane response.

"I was commanding. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday, and the day before as well," Biden said. "It's called a telephone."

Asked whether Trump's visit to Georgia is a disruption to recovery efforts, Biden said: "I don't have any idea."

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How Hurricane Helene damage is colliding with 2024 presidential race