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As Hurricane Helene death toll grows, Biden defends US government response

US President Joe Biden will visit storm-ravaged North Carolina, where hundreds are still unaccounted for

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A rescue team paddles down the Swannanoa River in western North Carolina. Photo: The News & Observer via Reuters

The death toll from a devastating storm that battered the southeastern United States climbed to at least 130 on Monday, as the disaster became a hot topic in an already bitter election campaign, with the White House angrily refuting claims it had been slow to respond.

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With hundreds still unaccounted for across several southeastern US states and the death toll climbing, President Joe Biden announced he would travel to storm-ravaged North Carolina Wednesday to monitor rescue efforts.

Biden also accused former president Donald Trump of spreading lies, after the Republican presidential candidate charged, without evidence, that the federal government was ignoring the disaster brought on by Hurricane Helene and denying help to his supporters.

“He’s lying,” Biden told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that he had spoken to North Carolina governor Roy Cooper “and he told him he’s lying. I don’t know why he does it … that’s simply not true, and it’s irresponsible.”

US President Joe Biden and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall speak with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Photo: AP
US President Joe Biden and White House Homeland Security Adviser Liz Sherwood-Randall speak with North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper. Photo: AP

Later on CNN, Cooper, a Democrat, said when asked about Trump’s accusations of Republican victims being ignored: “It makes no difference who you are. If you need help, we are going to provide it.

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