WASHINGTON — The destructive aftermath of Hurricane Helene is becoming entangled with the campaigning for the 2024 presidential election, as former President Donald Trump criticizes the Biden administration’s handling of the crisis.

This situation has increased the pressure on Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic candidate, in critical states such as North Carolina and Georgia, which are both suffering from severe flooding.

On Monday afternoon, Trump plans to visit Valdosta, Georgia, to make statements, get updates on the hurricane’s impact, and aid in the distribution of relief materials, according to his campaign.

During a campaign rally in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, Trump accused Biden of being negligent while Biden spent the weekend at Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. He also criticized Harris for attending a fundraiser in San Francisco on Saturday with “her radical left lunatic donors” while significant parts of the country were affected by the hurricane.

Vice President Harris, after a rally in Las Vegas on Sunday, has canceled her other West Coast campaign events to return to Washington on Monday for an afternoon briefing at FEMA’s headquarters. She also spoke with North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis over the weekend.

A White House official stated, “The Vice President aims to visit affected communities as soon as it can be done without interfering with emergency operations.”

At least 100 lives have been lost, and over 2 million people are currently without power across regions in western North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, South Carolina, and Virginia. Atlanta has recorded over 11 inches of rain in just 48 hours, breaking a nearly 150-year-old record. Many areas in western North Carolina have seen devastating rainfall, with some locations tallying over 30 inches.

Buncombe County, North Carolina, which includes the severely affected city of Asheville, is facing overwhelming destruction.

“We are experiencing catastrophic flooding throughout the county. The damage is unprecedented,” stated Ryan Cole, assistant director of Emergency Services in Buncombe County.

President Biden, speaking from the White House on Monday, expressed his commitment to visiting the areas affected by the hurricane as soon as possible, but has been advised that his visit would likely cause disruptions to ongoing relief efforts.

Biden stated, “I will not disrupt the response efforts by my presence. I plan to visit later this week.”

He mentioned that he had spoken with Cooper, Kemp, and officials from states such as Florida and Tennessee during the weekend, describing the storm as “not merely a catastrophic event, but a historic one.” FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell was dispatched to Asheville, North Carolina, as part of the response team, Biden noted.

“I want everyone affected to know that we aren’t leaving until everything is taken care of,” Biden emphasized, mentioning that 3,600 federal responders have been sent to the Southeast for rescue operations and debris cleanup.

Along with FEMA personnel, this effort includes members from the National Guard and Army Corps of Engineers, as well as FCC workers who are assisting in restoring communication lines and officials from the Defense Department.

Biden expressed determination, stating, “We understand that more work lies ahead. Resources, such as food, water, communication tools, and life-saving equipment, will continue to be provided.”

Biden reacted to a reporter’s question regarding criticism about his decision to be away from Washington over the weekend, defending his actions: “I was indeed commanding the response remotely. I was on the phone for at least two hours yesterday and the day before. That’s how it works, through phone communication.”

When asked if Trump’s trip to Georgia might interfere with recovery efforts, Biden responded, “I have no idea.”