WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – As the death toll from Hurricane Helene continues to rise, President Joe Biden is touring storm damage in Florida and Georgia.
So far, at least 200 people have died in six states from Hurricane Helene.
Almost a million homes and businesses are still without power in the Southeast.
President Biden flew over Florida’s coast to see the damage left by the hurricane. He was briefed by officials before heading to Georgia to view the damage there.
“The administration has had personnel working this from Day One. Actually, before Day One,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says the federal government has thousands of people in place to help with recovery, but he says more funding will be needed for the days ahead.
“We will not be able to do all of the work that has to be done without help from Congress,” said Buttigieg.
Neither Florida nor Georgia’s Republican governors joined the president’s visit, though Georgia Governor Brian Kemp did speak with the president on the phone.
“I thanked them for visiting and also… thanked the President for adding the additional counties to the disaster declaration,” said Kemp.
Kemp says some counties are frustrated they’re not part of the disaster declaration.
“So, he’s aware of that situation on the ground,” Kemp added.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said hurricane victims could be hurt by the dockworkers strike at U.S. ports. He worries it could delay delivery of needed supplies.
“And that will include perishable foods, medical equipment,” said DeSantis.
DeSantis called on the White h=House to do more to put an end to the strike.
“We have no time for delays. Biden-Harris has a responsibility to stand up for the storm victims,” said DeSantis.
The president said, “I think we’re making progress on that.”
Former president Donald Trump said he plans to tour storm damage in North Carolina sometime next week.