North Carolina chiefs want a military leader to lead the response to Helene

Two Republican senators want the Biden administration to appoint a military leader to lead the Hurricane Helene recovery effort, as some lawmakers continue to criticize the federal government’s response to the storm.

In a joint statement, Republican Sens. Thom Tillis and Ted Budd, both of North Carolina, issued a joint statement Friday evening about the response activities.

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“Our national watchdogs and local, state and federal responders have been working tirelessly to respond to this disaster with the resources at their disposal,” the statement read. “Given the unprecedented level of destruction and complexity of search and rescue operations, it would be helpful to provide an active military leader with extensive experience in operations of this nature to lead the way forward.”

The Biden administration has come under fire for its allegedly inadequate response to the devastation left by Helene. As of Friday, the death toll in the southeastern states hardest hit by the storm has risen to 224, with more than 100 deaths in western North Carolina alone.

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President Biden and Gov. Roy Cooper, DN.C., greets first responders after a tour of areas affected by Hurricane Helene, at the airport in Greenville, SC, on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

I The White House said Biden coordinated the federal response, including authorizing emergency declarations and sending 1,000 troops to support search and rescue efforts. More than 4,800 personnel from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other agencies have been deployed to North Carolina and neighboring states affected by Helene.

FEMA Director Deanne Criswell was on the ground in North Carolina on Friday, saying troops were delivering food and water to residents from distribution centers.

Debris litters the lake after Hurricane Helene on Wednesday in Lake Lure, NC. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)

Additionally, FEMA sent more than 8.5 million meals, more than 7 million gallons of water, 150 generators and more than 220,000 tarps to aid response efforts, according to the White House.

As of Friday, the federal government has provided more than $45 million in Individual Assistance to survivors. affected by the stormWhite House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said, including a one-time payment method of $750 from FEMA to eligible applicants in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.

President Biden talks with Deanne Criswell, director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as he arrives at the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport in Greer, SC. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)

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Fox News Digital reached out to FEMA and the White House.

Fox News Digital’s Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.