Rainfall Forecasts Were Good - So Why Was Helene So Catastrophic?
ForbesOCT 26 2024
Report: Hurricane Helene Caused $53B In NC Damages
Above: Debris covers a closed street near the Swannanoa River in Asheville, North Carolina, on Oct. 20, 2024, as clean-up efforts continue after Hurricane Helene devastated the area. Image copyright: JIM WATSON/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Both North Carolina and the federal government are actively providing relief for communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. After assessing the damage first-hand, Gov. Cooper has directed $600M in state relief funds, which comes on top of the $168M in FEMA funding. Both federal and state operations will continue as more money is allocated.
Republican narrative
While Democrats and the White House play rhetorical games with American lives, the people of North Carolina and Florida have waited desperately for genuine help to arrive. Unfortunately for these tax-paying victims, the billions of dollars that should've been spent on them have already been spent on housing illegal immigrants.