Key House Republicans are calling for detailed information from federal and state officials on the response to Hurricane Helene, which struck North Carolina in late September.
House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mark E. Green (R-TN), Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Accountability Chairman Dan Bishop (R-NC), and Subcommittee on Emergency Management and Technology Chairman Anthony D’Esposito (R-NY) sent letters this week to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, and North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper.
The lawmakers are seeking clarity on the use of military assets, coordination under Title 10 authorities, and the overall execution of federal disaster response in the state.
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In their letter to Secretary Mayorkas, the lawmakers emphasized the importance of oversight to evaluate the scale of federal resources deployed and the coordination between agencies. “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 reads.
The letter to Secretary Austin reiterated similar concerns, focusing on the role of the Department of Defense (DoD) in providing support during the hurricane response.
In their communication to Governor Cooper, the lawmakers noted that North Carolina had mobilized extensive state and federal resources, including more than 400 National Guard personnel and assets from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Army Corps of Engineers. Federal personnel supporting disaster relief efforts in North Carolina exceeded 6,400 by early October.
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The letters also reflect ongoing concerns about FEMA’s disaster response practices, particularly following Hurricane Milton. The Committee is investigating reports of political bias in FEMA operations, including allegations that relief workers were directed to avoid providing aid to homes displaying support for President Trump.
Chairman Green recently requested a transcribed interview with Chad Hershey, Task Force Lead for FEMA’s Disaster Survival Assistance Task Force, after an earlier interview with a former FEMA employee raised questions about discriminatory practices during disaster relief efforts in Florida.
Hurricane Helene made landfall on September 26, 2024, causing widespread destruction in North Carolina and beyond. The storm prompted significant federal mobilization, with President Biden increasing the cost share for National Guard assistance to 100% for 180 days. Federal and state agencies coordinated to deploy thousands of personnel, high-wheeled vehicles, and other critical assets to aid recovery efforts.
The Committee has requested documentation from Secretary Mayorkas, Secretary Austin, and Governor Cooper by December 24, 2024. The lawmakers have also committed to ongoing oversight of federal responses to Hurricanes Helene and Milton, aiming to ensure accountability and improved disaster response protocols moving forward.
As recovery efforts continue, the Committee’s investigation seeks to provide transparency and identify areas where federal and state disaster response can be strengthened.
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