Telling an Asheville volunteer leader “we’re here for the long haul,” Vice President Kamala Harris visited North Carolina on Saturday to be briefed on the damage the state suffered from Tropical Storm Helene and meet people dealing with the aftermath of its catastrophic flooding.
The record high water tore apart major districts of Asheville and ripped through small towns like Swannanoa , Pensacola, Chimney Rock and Lake Lure . Rapidly rising floodwaters along the French Broad, South Toe and Cane rivers, among others, washed away trees, cars, buildings and homes.
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, flew to Charlotte Douglas International Airport from Joint Base Andrews outside Washington, D.C. Greeted her on the tarmac were North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, state Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Josh Stein, Federal Emergency Management Administrator Deanne Criswell, North Carolina Democratic U.S. Reps. Alma Adams and Jeff Jackson and Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles.