U.S. Congressman Clay Higgins, R-Louisiana, has delivered a letter to President Biden, imploring him to authorize Department of Defense assets to airdrop personnel and supplies to assist with disaster recovery efforts in states impacted by Hurricane Helene.

“The magnitude and scope of devastation left by Hurricane Helene is unlike that of any disaster I have previously witnessed. I am growing increasingly concerned that our traditional response model is incapable of meeting the demands of this moment. While I appreciate my colleagues from these areas who are working tirelessly to deliver relief, it is my belief that DOD assets should be made available to supplement FEMA and other federal response efforts,” Higgins wrote.

The letter continues, “Americans in many of these remote communities are left dying from hunger and thirst. The nature of this disaster has left them unreachable by traditional response mechanisms. With widespread destruction of infrastructure and difficult terrain, military assets are needed to airdrop personnel and supplies for life-saving operations. We should be running airlift operations and delivering hope in this time of despair.”