The White House Denies That The US Government Failed To Overcome The Impact Of The Helene Storm

The destruction left after Hurricane Helene hit Total Beach, Florida on September 27, 2024. (Paul Ratje / The New York Times)

JAKARTA - The US government has denied allegations that it failed to contain the impact of the Helene Storm on Americans. The Helene storm hit several states in the US on September 24-27, 2024.

The storm has caused severe damage to several states and killed more than 200 people, according to media reports.

"Unfortunately, as we continue to make countermeasures, we see the spread of false information about the federal government's response to thehenemavirus is increasing," the White House said in a memo on Saturday (5/10).

The US government said "the parties who want to create chaos for the sake of their political interests are disinformation about recovery efforts."

The White House considers the dissemination of such information "wrong, dangerous, and must stop immediately."

Billionaire Elon Musk has in recent weeks accused the federal government of preventing his company from sending a Starlink satellite communication set to areas heavily affected in North Carolina.

However, he later praised US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg for responding to his accusations and helping him resolve the problem quickly.

The government memo also emphasized that aid funds from the Federal Disaster Management Agency (FEMA) were not used to deal with illegal immigrants.

The White House also denied allegations that FEMA confiscated personal assets of disaster victims who were deemed unfit for habitation. It was confirmed that FEMA could not confiscate property or land belonging to individuals.

The memo also emphasizes that people affected by the storm have the right to receive assistance of more than US$750 (around Rp11.7 million).

They can also get other assistance if they meet the requirements, but Urgent Needs Assistance (Serious Needs Assistance) can be received early while waiting for FEMA to assess the feasibility for additional funds.

"750 dollars is direct assistance that can be received by eligible victims," said the memo.

Residents affected by the storm can also get other assistance from FEMA, including repairing damaged houses and property, seeking temporary shelter, and compensation for crops and livestock, according to the White House.

It was also emphasized that FEMA and the Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) did not restrict North Carolina airspace or hinder the delivery of aid from civilians.

However, pilots wishing to land the plane in Asheville or Rutherford must obtain permission from the airport there.

The FAA is coordinating with local authorities on the matter, according to the memo.

On Friday (4/10), President Joe Biden warned the US Congress that FEMA only has funding reserves for direct assistance to victims of Hurricane Helene.

According to him, FEMA will experience a shortage of funds by the end of the year and loan reserves for small businesses affected by the disaster will expire in a few weeks.

Therefore, Biden said he would submit an additional disaster budget to Congress before his term ends in January.