Former President Donald Trump announced plans to travel to areas affected by Hurricane Helene, which devastated large parts of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee and several additional states.

“President Donald J. Trump, 45th President of the United States, will visit Valdosta, Georgia to receive a briefing  on the devastation of Hurricane Helene, facilitate the distribution of relief supplies, and deliver remarks to the press,” the Trump Campaign announced in a press release.

Hurricane Helene has drawn comparisons to Hurricane Katrina after the storm caused widespread destruction across large swaths of the American South. The storm has caused significant damage far inland, with rural areas in North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Florida particularly hard hit.

As of Sunday morning, the North Carolina National Guard (NCNG) activated more than 500 soldiers and airmen and more than 200 vehicles and aircraft in order to assist with rescue operations. Across 16 air missions, officials have thus far rescued 119 people and 11 pets.

Asheville, North Carolina absorbed some of the most extensive storm damage from the Category Four storm. Large portions of the community and surrounding areas have been left underwater, while hundreds of buildings have been swept away or destroyed entirely by flooding.

HURRICANE HELENE AFTERMATH ⚠️
VIDEO 1: State officials report devastating scenes across Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. The death toll stands at 65, with 73 still missing in Tennessee. Catastrophic flooding and widespread damage are seen in the… pic.twitter.com/4bFCJ1jcnc

— Kristy Tallman (@KristyTallman) September 29, 2024

The entire city of Asheville, North Carolina is under water.

The people are using starlink to let their loved ones know they're alive.

Why isn't the media talking about this?

Where is Biden and Kamala?pic.twitter.com/4fda6Df0KG

— Greg Price (@greg_price11) September 29, 2024

Please be praying for #Asheville. I was finally able to escape east today, but it’s likely worse than anyone knows right now.

This was Mills River the morning after, right near the Asheville airport. I couldn’t even get into the city. This needs more national attention. pic.twitter.com/wBhuhI6hdc

— Jon Brown (@JonBrownDC) September 29, 2024

This is absolutely heartbreaking to see and hear this man describing the devastation of his animals and property in Newport, Tennessee.

Our Government needs to help these Americans and NOT send Billions to Ukraine! pic.twitter.com/LNOuulNF2J

— ꪻꫝể ꪻꫝể (@TheThe1776) September 29, 2024

On Sunday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra declared a public health emergency for North Carolina in order to assist with the fallout from the storm. “We will do all we can to help North Carolina officials respond to the health impacts of Hurricane Helene,” Becerra said. “We are working closely with state and local health authorities, as well as with our partners across the federal government, and stand ready to provide additional public health and medical support.”

The Biden Administration had already declared public health emergencies for Florida, Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Prior to his rally in Erie, Pennsylvania on Sunday, former President Trump led supporters in a prayer for those affected by the disaster.

“Before we begin, I’d like to send my love and prayers to the families of those who have died, a lot of death, and all of those who are displaced and suffering in the wake of the hurricanes’ destruction in the South, especially in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and in particular western North Carolina, took a tremendous hit,” Trump said.

“It’s been absolutely devastating. And God be with you all. It’s been a rough one. That was a big monster hurricane and was a lot … harder than anyone even thought possible. So, we want to just extend our best wishes to everybody,” he continued.

As of this report, the storm has caused more than 70 deaths and billions of dollars in damage across the American South. Rescue efforts are ongoing.

Do you think Kamala Harris and Joe Biden are ignoring the victims of Hurricane Helene because the areas most affected are Trump strongholds?

YES or NO? pic.twitter.com/Y1qYx3oxhr

— The Trump Train 🚂🇺🇸 (@The_Trump_Train) September 29, 2024

NEW: Jaw dropping footage of the aftermath of flooding from Helene in the Chimney Rock, NC area.

Everything is gone.

“To give you an understanding of the devastation we’re dealing with: Chimney Rock is gone,” a local filmmaker said.pic.twitter.com/Y4OrB7frGA

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 29, 2024

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