Biden and Harris visit troubled region

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (AP) — President Joe Biden will take an aerial tour of the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on Wednesday as residents here and across much of the Southeast continue the arduous process of rebuilding their devastated communities, homes and lives.

The death toll across the Southeast stood at at least 162 early Wednesday and was expected to rise. Buncombe County, home to Asheville, has reported 57 deaths. North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper was on the ground in his state on Tuesday, touring a local hospital, chatting with residents and officials and helping distribute free meals.

“The people of Western North Carolina are inspiring in the most difficult times,” Cooper said. “We will have their backs.”

In the town of Swannanoa, 20 miles east of Asheville, Jessica Dixon searched for her father, who she said was swept to his death by the raging creek behind their home.

“Dad went to the back to get my mom’s purse,” said Dixon, 40. “Then all I could do was tell Parker (her son): ‘Grandpa’s gone. Grandpa is gone.' And he was washed away.

Storm tracker: According to the NHC, Hurricane Kirk is gaining strength and is expected to become even larger

Developments:

∎ Biden was scheduled to visit officials and first responders in North and South Carolina on Wednesday and said he plans to visit Georgia and Florida soon. Vice President Kamala Harris was scheduled to visit Georgia on Wednesday and said she would also visit North Carolina soon. Former President Donald Trump visited Georgia on Monday.

∎ US Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said the regional cleanup was a “multibillion-dollar undertaking” and would take years to complete.

∎ USA TODAY released a map of resources in the Asheville, North Carolina area, showing where residents can find shelter, water, food and more. The tool is available here.

Miracle in the mud: Heroes, helping hands emerging from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene

In the mountains of western North Carolina – one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene – mothers are doing what they do best: caring for others. Local Facebook groups that were once filled with recommendations for weekend activities and deals on used clothing are now overflowing with moms willing to do whatever it takes to help each other — even when they themselves are in dire need.

They share formula and baby wipes. They give away books and toys for their children. They offer cots, mattresses and meals. One mother even offered her frozen breast milk. Kate Patterson, a mother of two young children, has been going door-to-door in recent days conducting health checks on people living in remote, rural areas around Boone.

“You just see the need and do it,” she said. “There is no sitting around and waiting. You just jump into high gear.”

− Charles Trepany

The hurricane destroyed their cities. These North Carolina moms are saving each other.

A tropical disturbance expected to expand into the Gulf of Mexico could become a tropical depression by the end of the week or over the weekend, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. After that, it's still too early to tell where it will go or how much it will strengthen, but residents along the entire Gulf Coast have been advised to closely monitor the system and be prepared.

AccuWeather warned that Florida could be “the main target” for any new system next week.

Hurricane Kirk and a tropical wave south of the Cabo Verde Islands are also raging in the Atlantic basin. Kirk is expected to strengthen into a major hurricane by Thursday, but is not forecast to pose a threat to the United States. The tropical wave is expected to develop into a tropical depression in a few days as it slowly moves westward. The goal remains unclear.

− CHeryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida

Biden is pushing for “start-up aid” for the recovery: Recovery efforts are making progress

Access to clean, drinkable water remains a key concern in western North Carolina, authorities said. About 160 boil water warnings remained in effect and 27 water plants remained closed late Tuesday. Any municipal water supply subject to a boil water advisory must be boiled for one minute before consumption in any form, said Buncombe County Medical Director Jennifer Mullendore. Non-potable water should only be used for things like flushing toilets – and rainwater should be considered non-potable and non-potable, Mullendore said.

In Asheville, there is no timetable yet for the water to return, said Assistant City Manager Ben Woody, adding that it would take “weeks” for the water to flow again.

More than 100 nurses and doctors from across the country are helping at Mission Hospital in Asheville, said Harlow Sumerford, spokesman for HCA Health System. HCA also provides Mission Hospital with hundreds of thousands of bottles of water, tens of thousands of gallons of fuel and satellite data networks.

The hospital, located on a hill south of downtown Asheville, escaped flooding that inundated much of Buncombe County but is struggling to keep up with the influx of patients from several counties.

“We are very stressed,” said Greg Lowe, president and CEO of Mission Health. “It has become difficult with our employees because they are exhausted.”

Contribution: Reuters

Biden and Harris visit troubled region

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