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Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) said he is suspending all of his campaign fundraising activities while Tennessee residents recover from Hurricane Helene.
“We are suspending our fundraising and urging everyone to send any available funds to flood relief for these folks hit by this horrible devastation,” Burchett said.
WATCH:
We are suspending our fundraising and urging everyone to send any available funds to flood relief for these folks hit by this horrible devastation. pic.twitter.com/ckIZVOxrdi
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) September 30, 2024
“Like everyone across the country, I’ve watched in horror as Hurricane Helene devastated our neighbors in Upper East Tennessee,” Burchett wrote in a campaign email.
“As of today, Sept. 30, 2024, I’m suspending all campaign fundraising efforts for two weeks and encouraging all my supporters to donate to or volunteer with disaster relief efforts in East Tennessee and Western North Carolina. I’m donating $2,500 to the East Tennessee Foundation’s Neighbor to Neighbor Disaster Relief Fund and $2,500 to Samaritan’s Purse. I hope you’ll join me in supporting worthy charities providing boots-on-the-ground support to our neighbors in these hard-hit communities,” he continued.
“Folks, this is a pivotal time in any campaign, but right now, it’s not about politics – it’s about people. Every dollar helps, but if you can’t financially support the relief effort, I ask that you join Kelly, Isabel, and me as we pray for those impacted by this devastating storm,” he added.
X users reacted to Burchett’s message:
Suspending his fundraising for his campaign to increase financial efforts for those who’ve tragically lost everything.
God bless and be with those in this time of need. https://t.co/t3oCavXCpH— Shawn Ryan (@ShawnRyan762) September 30, 2024
This is a true American. https://t.co/mLE6xXRg1x
— James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) September 30, 2024
This is Leadership @timburchett suspends raising Campaign funding to ask supporters to send $ tohttps://t.co/GiJ5qx79UC as people are totally devastated. 😢🙏❤️📿 if your able. https://t.co/MuFnEXKJtQ
— PRAYER X10 (@prayer_x10) September 30, 2024
Republican or democrat. This is American. Suspend ur campaign funds and go help those in Need. https://t.co/JSX5CMngFu
— Katie (@K84IAST8) September 30, 2024
This is what Honor looks like! https://t.co/LjNbGa7Eh9
— George Santos (@MrSantosNY) September 30, 2024
News Channel 5 Nashville reports:
Three people are dead and 100 are missing in East Tennessee after catastrophic flooding from the remnants of Hurricane Helene.
The number of missing and dead are expected to rise, according to the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency.
“I will caveat that TEMA uses a deliberate process that we are accounting for people harmed and adequate time can be made to loved ones before it’s broadcasted,” TEMA director Patrick Sheehan said. “If you’re hearing about more fatalities and there’s a discrepancy to the numbers, we apply a high level of scrutiny. I know we will have other fatalities with this disaster. That makes this for me a tragedy. Our prayers go to the families and to the lost.”
President Joe Biden issued a disaster declaration for several counties in East Tennessee, where road and water infrastructure washed away. Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 have gaping holes missing while 13 water utility districts aren’t able to provide water for their customers.
Gov. Bill Lee asked for federal help on Friday afternoon after more than 50 people were stuck on a hospital roof in Unicoi County. Sheehan said Tennessee didn’t ask for help before the storm because it wasn’t forecasted to hit Tennessee as hard as it did. Those receiving disaster relief help are in Carter, Cocke, Greene, Hamblen, Johnson, and Unicoi counties.