Hurricane Helene: Devastation and Fury Against Biden-Harris
October 02, 2024.png)
Key Takeaways
- Americans are devastated by the destruction in multiple states from Hurricane Helene, criticizing the media and government for the lackluster response.
- 60% of voters express frustration over the federal government’s disaster response, particularly FEMA delays and perceived inefficiencies.
- 70% of voters say the government’s disaster response will influence their voting decisions in upcoming elections.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
4,500
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
1 Day
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene continues to devastate the Southeast, with hundreds dead and missing and thousands losing property and possessions. The scale of the damage has left communities reeling as many face the daunting task of what to do next.
In particular, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee face a long road to recovery, with floodwaters still high, homes destroyed, and infrastructure in ruins. Rescue efforts are a topic of discussion across America as relief is still painfully slow, even five days later. For rural Appalachia, already struggling with poverty and limited resources, the storm has intensified a sense of abandonment. People are left wondering when—or if—meaningful help will arrive.
Many Americans are furious with the federal government, who they say is leaving them in the lurch and not showing up to help. Viral clips of Joe Biden saying there are no more federal resources to be given infuriates families still in the midst of life-altering destruction.
Biden on Hurricane Helene:
— I Meme Therefore I Am 🇺🇸 (@ImMeme0) September 30, 2024
Reporter: "Do you have any words to the victims of the hurricane?"
Biden: "We've given everything that we have."
Reporter "Are there any more resources the federal government could be giving them?"
Biden: "No."
pic.twitter.com/ZavQQFd2xq
Victims Still in Critical Need
For thousands impacted by Helene, there is a sustained sense of desperation. Whole towns and communities have been wiped out and many people are still trapped or missing, making the lack of timely federal aid feel like a slap in the face. Roads are destroyed, water and electricity infrastructure are inoperable, damage to homes and cars make escaping or sheltering difficult, and many are asking where FEMA and government rescue efforts are.
This woman has family trapped in Spruce Pine, North Carolina for 4 days… She just called out Biden and Harris live on NBC: pic.twitter.com/FFT11nuOPM
— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) October 1, 2024
MIG Reports data shows:
- 60% of voters express frustration over the federal government’s disaster response, particularly FEMA delays and perceived inefficiencies.
- 55% mention the Biden-Harris administration’s focus on immigration exacerbating FEMA’s slow response, with resources allegedly being diverted away from flood victims.
There’s a prevailing theme in voter discussions of political opportunism from political leaders, with the right accusing Biden and Harris and the left accusing Trump and DeSantis.
Democrats mostly argue the federal response is sufficient but complex, while Republicans point to the slow rollout of aid as evidence of the Biden administration's broader failures. Meanwhile, the people on the ground are left to sift through the wreckage.
Federal Response Failure
A small portion of discussions recognize FEMA working to mobilize resources and working to coordinate with state agencies. More also commend robust state responses by governors in Georgia and Florida, but these moments of efficiency are overshadowed by larger failures.
- 65% express frustration with federal and state officials, blaming the federal government for delays and local leadership for slow emergency declarations.
- 75% are angry about the apparent lack of aid and attention for hurricane victims compared to massive aid packages to Israel and Ukraine.
- And 90% of those discussing aid highlight $17.263 billion allocated to foreign military support, contrasted with Biden’s lackluster aid for American citizens at home.
Many Americans note the stark disparity in funding, emphasizing that while billions are sent abroad or spend on aid for illegal immigrants, the American people are left nearly without a thought.
Criticism toward the Biden-Harris administration dominates the discourse. People accuse the government of prioritizing political photo ops and foreign sympathy over Americans in crisis. The delayed involvement of military assets is also a source of anger. The XVIII Airborne Corps stationed just a few hundred miles away could have deployed critical resources to help with flooding relief, but instead, communities are left waiting for help.
.png)
The Political Fallout and Impact on 2024
Given the scale of Hurricane Helene's devastation, it is inevitable that the federal government's response will impact the upcoming 2024 election. With disillusionment and anger rising, the perception of a sluggish, inefficient response to the hurricane will likely fuel ire among voters.
According to MIG Reports analysis:
- 70% of voters say the government’s disaster response will influence their voting decisions in upcoming elections.
- 55% stress how hurricane aftermath and the dock worker strike will increase inflation costs and hamper recovery efforts.
- 70% say mainstream media fails to adequately cover significant events such as the port strike and hurricane aftermath.
Republicans both take the opportunity to get involved in recovery efforts and use this moment to highlight the administration's failures and rally voters. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris and Joe Biden receive significant criticism for their lack of action and involvement—with Harris attending a fundraiser and Biden away from Washington.
REPORTER: "On the hurricane, why weren't you and VP Harris here in Washington commanding this this weekend?"
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) September 30, 2024
BIDEN: "I was commanding!"
(He was at his beach house and Kamala was fundraising in San Francisco) pic.twitter.com/3LmFI0KiRN
_.png)
_.png)
_.png)
_.png)
_.png)
_.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)