Biden, Harris tour Hurricane Helene damage as deaths mount

Published

2 years ago

October 3, 2024

The vice president inspected hurricane damage in the southern state of Georgia © Carolyn Kasterpicture alliance

As the death toll eclipsed 180, US President Joe Biden warned of the dangers of climate change as he toured flood-hit areas. Meanwhile, Vice President Kamala Harris handed out meals at a relief center.

Joe Biden viewed the destruction caused by Helene from the air
© Susan Walsh/AP Photo/picture alliance

US President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on Wednesday visited communities ravaged by Hurricane Helene.

The Biden administration has deployed 1,000 soldiers to clean up after Helene and has pledged to cover the bill to remove debris in some states.

The storm killed more than 180 people across six states and has become an issue in the presidential election campaign.

Biden tours destruction in the Carolinas

Biden arrived in South Carolina and was briefed on the cleanup effort. He then flew in a helicopter over the flood-hit city of Asheville in North Carolina.

“What I saw was heartbreaking,” Biden said on social media.

“But back on the ground, we’re witnessing neighbors helping neighbors, volunteers and workers standing side-by-side, people leaning on each other. That’s America.”

The Biden administration mobilized up to 1,000 troops to help with the cleanup
© Susan Walsh/AP Photo/picture alliance

Biden also warned that climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of stormslike Helene.

“Nobody can deny the impact of the climate crisis anymore, at least I hope they don’t,” he said. “They must be brain-dead if they do.”

Harris meets with survivors in Georgia

Separately, Harris visited storm-hit areas of Georgia, where she met with families who were impacted by the disaster.

She visited a Red Cross relief center in Augusta where she handed out meals to people in need.

Kamala Harris said Hurricane Helene has caused trauma for affected communities
© BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP/Getty Images

“There is real pain and trauma that has resulted because of this hurricane and what has happened in terms of the aftermath of it,” Harris said.

Rebuilding will likely take years, according to officials.

“We are here for the long haul,” Harris said. “There’s a lot of work that’s going to happen.”

Chaos As Military Officers Exchange Blows During Tinubu’s Visit To Bayelsa (Videos)

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Personnel of the Nigerian military were seen engaging in a fight during the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to Bayelsa on Friday.

In a video spotted on social media, the driver of a Hilux vehicle marked “Naval Police” was seen stepping down from his vehicle and exchanging words with another driver.

After returning to his vehicle, another driver with a rifle approached him and threw a punch at the Naval Police driver, triggering a brawl.

The incident quickly escalated into a free-for-all, with personnel attached to both vehicles exchanging blows, while stunned civilians watched in disbelief.

HRH Ekwueme of Ochia Kingdom Iynched & kiIIed in Imo.

Published

2 weeks ago

April 11, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

Gunmen on Friday night killed the traditional ruler of Ochia, Barr Paulinus Ekwueme, alongside security operatives in the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State. The attackers ambushed the monarch at the boundary of Assa and Ochia communities after he returned from a trip abroad earlier in the week.

Some security operatives in his convoy were also shot dead. Eyewitness said the monarch and the security operatives were set ablaze after the killing, adding that the Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area had been thrown into mourning.

Hrm lives in America, but some in his town accuse him of acquiring lots of wealth coming from the oil in their land and yet they have no nepa (light) and other amenities, and that this angered the youths of his community to take this step. One said Ms Duruaku wrote, “he ate the youth empowerment meant given to him by shell oil company and ran abroad for years”

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Abuja hotel collapse: Wike orders arrest of owner, to convert land to public use

Published

2 weeks ago

April 7, 2026

Ekwutos Blog

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has ordered the immediate arrest of the owner of a multi-story hotel that collapsed in Jikwoyi, Abuja last Friday, April 4 and announced that the land would be seized for public use.

LIB had reported that the building crumbled while workers were on site, triggering an emergency response from relevant authorities.

Visiting the site today April 7, Wike said the building was constructed without approval from the FCT Department of Development Control and that all the stop-work notices sent to the builders were ignored by the developer.

Wike confirmed that while there were no fatalities, several people sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital. He warned that the outcome could have been far worse.

Announcing the government’s plans for the land, Wike said the FCT Administration will take over the land for public use, noting that those responsible for the illegal construction will face prosecution in accordance with the law.

He added that the local community would be consulted to determine a suitable public-purpose project for the reclaimed site.