Transportation Secretary Duffy Assesses Hurricane Helene Damage as Residents Express Feelings of Being ‘Forgotten’ – One America News Network
OAN Staff James Meyers
11:59 AM – Monday, February 10, 2025
Sean Duffy, the transportation secretary under President Donald Trump, traveled to North Carolina and Tennessee to assess the damage caused by “Hurricane Helene,” which struck in late September 2024 while President Joe Biden was in office.
Advertisement
“Seeing the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee last year was heartbreaking,” Duffy stated. “When one part of our nation suffers, we all suffer. That’s why my priority is to support the people of North Carolina and Tennessee in reconstructing this vital highway, keeping their communities connected to the broader region.”
“In small town America, people often feel neglected,” Duffy shared with Harris Faulkner on Monday. “They feel abandoned by both the federal and state governments. However, with this administration, they know that even if they come from a small town or are not the wealthiest, they are still valued Americans who deserve support, and we are committed to providing it.”
Duffy highlighted that a significant reconstruction project for a highway destroyed during the hurricane is on the agenda, noting that it will be a billion-dollar endeavor requiring considerable time to finish.
“This will be the largest emergency relief project undertaken by the Department of Transportation in its 50-year history,” Duffy remarked. “The scale and importance of this project cannot be overstated.”
“Under Donald Trump, we don’t operate at the pace of previous administrations. We move quickly; we aim for cost-effectiveness while prioritizing safety,” he added.
Reports suggest Trump is considering dissolving the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) altogether and channeling federal relief funds directly to states impacted by natural disasters. FEMA’s operations have come under fire for claims of bias and inefficiency in recent years.
Recently, Trump issued an executive order to create the FEMA Review Council, which will be composed of fewer than 20 members, co-chaired by the secretaries of Homeland Security and Defense.
“Despite committing nearly $30 billion to disaster relief over the past three years, FEMA has consistently left vulnerable Americans without the critical support and resources that are needed during crises,” the executive order states.
Moreover, Duffy indicated that attention will also be given to smaller infrastructure projects within local communities, underscoring the importance of connectivity as residents and developers continue their reconstruction efforts.
“While the highway we discussed is critical, there are many smaller roads and bridges that connect the mountain communities,” Duffy explained. “Many of them were partially washed away. The mudslides and rockslides have wreaked havoc on homes, churches, shops, and cafés. It’s that infrastructure that we need to examine and find ways to assist in rebuilding.”
“Sometimes, this aspect of government is overlooked, but functioning infrastructure is crucial. Without it, lives are profoundly affected,” he emphasized.
Hurricane Helene resulted in over 100 fatalities in North Carolina alone, along with extensive destruction of homes, businesses, and infrastructure.
“This land is their home, where their families have lived for generations. They want to stay here,” Duffy remarked. “That’s why our work is vital; it helps them remain in the communities they cherish.”
“We are committed to ensuring that this dream can endure,” he concluded.
Stay updated! Receive breaking news alerts directly in your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisements below
