No, Helene is not Biden's Katrina

Republicans are politicizing the hurricane response because they are still smarting from the one they botched 19 years ago.

As Donald Trump and the Republicans try to politicize a natural disaster affecting millions of people across numerous states, including two major swing states, one thing is very clear. The GOP is still butt hurt over the criticism George Bush got for his administration’s botched Katrina response. What’s happening in Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and Kentucky is dramatically different than the failures in New Orleans 19 years ago.

Across social media, Republicans are complaining that Bush got criticism for his slow response and Biden isn’t getting the same treatment. Quit whining. The Bush FEMA was rife with political appointees who lacked the experience and knowledge to respond appropriately to Katrina. As the International Risk Government Council concluded, “FEMA had become critically weak under the Bush administration.”

They botched the whole operation from the beginning. Instead of sending first responders immediately to New Orleans where people were stranded without food or water, FEMA sent them to Atlanta for training. The agency blocked medical supplies, water, and doctors from entering the city.

The Katrina response was marred by a lack of communication and finger pointing by elected officials. FEMA never set up adequate communications operations in New Orleans. They hampered the evacuation by refusing to talk to Amtrak or the American Bus Association.

That’s not happening in the response to Helene. Roy Cooper deployed national guard and rescue teams before the storm hit. Supplies are getting to the region, even if more are needed. Republican governors of Florida, Georgia, Virginia, and South Carolina have all praised the Biden administration, saying they got the support they need.

Of course, Donald Trump is trying to sow division. He accused Roy Cooper of withholding help from Republican areas. You know, fuck that guy. All but two of the counties affected are Republican and they are all getting help.

It’s too early to know how this response is going to turn out, but, so far, it’s been better coordinated and more successful than the response to Katrina. With as many people out of power, food, and water and with an area that remote and difficult to access, problems will occur. People are going to feel abandoned or underserved. That’s inevitable. The recovery will take years, not months and some places are probably gone for good. Emotions will be raw for a long time, possibly for generations.

As of today, I-40 into Asheville, both eastbound and west bound is open. The airport is open for responders and more than 100,000 pounds of supplies have arrived so far. More than 5,000 National Guardsmen are on the ground. Emergency Management teams are arriving from states across the nation. Their governors aren’t asking whether the states are Democratic or Republican. They are sending help.

Joe Biden is heading to North Carolina tomorrow. I expect Harris will be there later this week. They are being fully briefed on the situation and in contact with governors. They are waiting until their presence won’t hinder the response. They are following the advice of the people on the ground. That’s what good leaders do.

The goal of the Biden-Harris administration is to offer states the support they need to help people survive an historic natural disaster. The goal of shit posters on social media is to score political points at the expense of the people suffering.