Vice President JD Vance Criticizes FEMA's Delayed Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts

Vance highlights federal shortcomings in disaster response during his first official trip as Vice President to hurricane-stricken Appalachia.

Vice President JD Vance, on his first official trip, visited Damascus, Virginia, a town severely impacted by Hurricane Helene in September 2024, to assess recovery progress.
Vance criticized FEMA for distributing only $47 million of the $4 billion allocated for hurricane relief, leaving many residents without sufficient aid to rebuild their homes.
Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage across six states, resulting in over 200 deaths and leaving many survivors in temporary housing like campers or tents months later.
Vance and President Trump have called for a comprehensive review of FEMA's performance, citing bureaucratic inefficiencies and red tape as barriers to effective disaster recovery.
Local leaders and residents expressed frustration over inadequate federal support, with damages in some areas far exceeding the financial assistance provided so far.