In the wake of a catastrophic disaster, effective leadership and a rapid, coordinated response are critical to mitigating the impacts and restoring public confidence.
That’s not what is happening.
The aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which made landfall as a Category 4 storm and caused catastrophic flooding in North Carolina, has revealed significant gaps in the federal response. From strained resource deployment to absent leadership, the response to Hurricane Helene serves as a stark reminder of how quickly disaster management can falter when clear direction and visible leadership are lacking.
The absence of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris during the height of the disaster response has set a troubling tone, raising questions about the federal government’s ability to handle large-scale emergencies and putting a spotlight on the critical…