Hurricane Helene is stirring up the plans of presidential candidates this week.

Democratic nominee Kamala Harris is cutting short her campaign visit to Las Vegas to return to Washington for briefings. Meanwhile, Republican candidate Donald Trump is heading to Georgia to assess the storm’s impact.

Hurricane Helene has left a death toll of over 100 people, with devastating damage caused by inland flooding in North Carolina.

Natural disasters like Hurricane Helene not only present humanitarian crises but also serve as political challenges for elected officials, especially during the final weeks of a presidential campaign.

Presidents usually avoid rushing to disaster zones to prevent disruptions to recovery efforts. The White House mentioned that Harris will visit the affected areas “as soon as it is feasible without impeding emergency response operations.”

President Joe Biden also commented on his administration’s response to Hurricane Helene and plans to visit the impacted regions later this week.

For more details, follow the AP’s Election 2024 coverage here.

In related news:

– Trump criticized the Biden administration for its response to Hurricane Helene, despite his own controversial record on disaster aid.

– Biden refuted Trump’s claims about federal contact and commitment to Georgia post-Hurricane Helene.

– North Carolina officials are ensuring voting access for those affected by the hurricane.

– The White House defended Biden against Trump’s accusations of unresponsiveness to Georgia post-Hurricane Helene.

– Trump made misleading statements regarding the federal response to Hurricane Helene while campaigning in the affected area.

– Representatives emphasize bipartisan relief efforts and governmental cooperation in handling disasters like Hurricane Helene.

– Trump announces assistance plans for Georgia and North Carolina following Hurricane Helene’s devastation.

– Expectations are set for the vice-presidential debate, with the Trump campaign acknowledging the skills of their opponent but expressing readiness.

– Harris shares personal anecdotes on her experiences during her political journey.