Military Response to Helene’s Impact in North Carolina Under Lawmakers’ Scrutiny

Congressional lawmakers are demanding answers from the Biden administration about the military’s response to Hurricane Helene, which caused catastrophic flooding in North Carolina this past September. The House Homeland Security Committee, led by Chair Mark Green (R-TN), has formally requested detailed records from Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper (D).

The investigation comes amid growing criticism of the federal government’s disaster response and allegations of political bias in the allocation of aid.

In a letter to Defense Secretary Austin, Green emphasized the need to understand how military resources were mobilized in response to the hurricane’s devastation. “Since Hurricane Helene’s landfall on September 26, 2024, the scale of mobilized resources, materiel, and personnel at the federal and state levels has been significant,” Green wrote. “The Committee seeks to better understand the use of military assets, the execution of Title 10 authorities, and how these efforts were coordinated in North Carolina, where the damage from Hurricane Helene is particularly acute.”

The letter, co-signed by Reps. Dan Bishop (R-NC) and Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY), requests all communications between the Department of Defense (DoD), Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and North Carolina officials about the military’s involvement in the relief effort. The committee also seeks records detailing how many service members were deployed and the scope of their assignments.

Helene made landfall on September 26, unleashing torrential rain that triggered devastating floods in East Tennessee and western North Carolina. Residents have reported delays in federal assistance, with some saying it took weeks for responders to arrive. Even now, thousands remain displaced.

By October 5, more than 6,000 federal personnel, including 1,000 National Guard troops, had been deployed to North Carolina. Despite this, lawmakers and residents are questioning whether the response was adequate and timely.

“The intense breadth of Hurricane Helene’s impact requires significant DoD assets and personnel to assist in North Carolina’s immediate and long-term recovery,” the lawmakers wrote.

The probe also extends to allegations of politically motivated aid distribution. Earlier this month, FEMA supervisor Marn’i Washington testified before the committee, claiming she had instructed relief workers in Lake Placid, Florida, to avoid homes displaying pro-Trump signs.

Whistleblowers have come forward with similar allegations from North Carolina, claiming that entire neighborhoods were bypassed if there were three or more Trump signs visible in the area. These claims have intensified scrutiny of the Biden administration’s response to Hurricane Helene and the earlier Hurricane Milton.

With thousands of North Carolinians still struggling to rebuild their lives, the House Homeland Security Committee is determined to uncover what went wrong in the federal government’s response.

The Biden administration’s handling of natural disasters has been criticized for delays and disorganization, but the accusations of political bias represent a deeper concern about fairness and equity in disaster relief.

As the investigation unfolds, the committee’s findings could have far-reaching implications for how the federal government handles disaster response and how it ensures that aid reaches all Americans, regardless of political affiliation.

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