President Joe Biden highlighted ongoing recovery efforts from recent hurricanes last week, emphasizing federal involvement and future funding needs during a White House briefing.

During the attended by Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm and Vice President Kamala Harris, Biden discussed the priorities for recovery operations, including restoring power and clearing debris, at one point inadvertently referring to the VP as "president," as Fox News reports.

Communication with officials from states impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton was part of the efforts to provide relief and support. Biden expressed condolences for the significant losses suffered by affected communities, where many lost their homes and loved ones from tornadoes and flooding.

Biden and Harris Address Hurricane Recovery

The president elaborated on the cooperation with governors from North Carolina and Florida, addressing the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. In North Carolina, Hurricane Helene resulted in at least 92 fatalities.

Florida reported a minimum of 8 fatalities due to Hurricane Milton, with severe damage, particularly in St. Lucie County.

Acknowledging the challenges, Biden communicated the serious financial implications of Hurricane Milton, which are estimated to reach $50 billion.

The extensive damage disrupted power to over 3 million people in Florida, though 50,000 workers succeeded in restoring power to 1 million customers. The federal efforts through agencies, including FEMA, prioritize rescue and recovery for these regions.

Misinformation on Federal Response Addressed

President Biden also addressed misleading online claims concerning the effectiveness of the federal response. He underscored that plans for additional funding from Congress are crucial to continue recovery efforts. The administration remains focused on providing comprehensive support to the affected southeastern states.

Vice President Kamala Harris’s participation via teleconference ensured her involvement in the disaster response initiatives. Despite tensions with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Harris attempted to engage actively in addressing the challenges and coordinating relief resources. She has reportedly been in communication with Homeland Security to tackle post-disaster price-gouging issues.

Funding and Coordination with State Authorities

President Biden expressed the administration's commitment to doing everything possible to support affected communities. "We're going to do everything we can to help you pick back up the pieces and get back to where you were," he stated during the briefing. The president also made a light-hearted misstatement, referring to Harris as the "president," but corrected himself promptly.

Vice President Harris highlighted the ongoing federal resource coordination with local and state authorities, covering essentials like food, water, medical supplies, and generators.

She emphasized the commitment to restoring water and power in the impacted areas swiftly and acknowledged the prolonged nature of recovery efforts.

Partnership Amid Challenges

DeSantis confirmed active collaboration with President Biden and FEMA. "I am working with the president of the United States. I'm working with the director of FEMA. We've been doing this now nonstop for over two weeks," DeSantis noted.

Harris reinforced the sustained federal assistance, ensuring that necessary resources are in place for both immediate response and long-term recovery.

"President Biden and I will make sure that the communities that are there on the ground and have been affected will have the resources they need not only to respond to the storm but also to recover," Harris stated, emphasizing the lengthy commitment.

Federal Assurance for Long-Term Recovery

The comprehensive update on hurricane recovery efforts emphasizes state cooperation and federal agency involvement. The government's strategy focuses on securing additional funding and addressing misinformation to strengthen recovery operations.

Harris concluded with a pledge of ongoing support, stating, "The bottom line is we are in this for the long haul."

As recovery efforts press forward, the administration continues to liaise closely with state authorities. The president reiterated the administration's resolve to uphold the promises made to the affected citizens and work tirelessly until the regions return to normalcy. Biden conveyed to those impacted that, despite the magnitude of the disaster, they are not alone in their recovery journey.