Secretary Noem to speak with Helene survivors in western NC visit

ASHEVILLE, N.C. — Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Asheville, North Carolina on Saturday to see how the city is recovering from Hurricane Helene’s damage and meet with people affected by the storm.

She spoke to reporters around 3 p.m., promising that recent presidential executive orders helped get rid of “red tape” to bring more aid to the region.

Noem’s Saturday was slated to start with a stop at Samaritan’s Purse, a disaster relief organization, where she met with volunteers and talked to survivors about their experiences. 

She planned to join several key officials for lunch, including Senator Ted Budd, and Republican Representatives Virginia Foxx and Chuck Edwards. She was also joined by FEMA’s Interim Administrator Cameron Hamilton, who was recently appointed by President Donald Trump. 

The Secretary’s afternoon schedule included getting updates about water restoration and other recovery work in the area, according to a release from her office. 

The visit comes after many Trump Administration officials, including the president, criticized FEMA’s response in the area following Helene. During Trump’s last visit to Asheville, the president said he was considering getting rid of the agency altogether, however, it would take an act of Congress to end the agency. 

Asheville continues to deal with Hurricane Helene’s impacts. The storm caused widespread damage across the region, forcing many residents from their homes and disrupting essential services.

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