Starlink: Lifeline Amidst Devastation in North Carolina Post-Hurricane Helene

The White House confirms the deployment of Starlink satellite systems to North Carolina for high-speed internet access post-Hurricane Helene. Despite former President Trump's claims, these efforts were already planned. FEMA supports these moves with 40 systems ready and 140 more on the way to aid communications in affected regions.

The White House confirmed on Monday that several Starlink satellite systems are providing high-speed internet access in North Carolina in the wake of Hurricane Helene, with over 100 more en route to assist devastated areas. The announcement was made in response to former President Donald Trump falsely claiming that the systems had not yet been deployed.

"I just spoke to Elon," Trump said, referring to a call with billionaire Elon Musk. "We want to get Starlink hooked up because they have no communication whatsoever and Elon will always come through." However, the Biden administration clarified that these arrangements were already in place before Trump's comments. "This is already happening," a White House spokesperson posted on social media, linking to a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) statement.

According to FEMA, 40 Starlink satellite systems are currently available in North Carolina to aid responder communications, with an additional 140 being shipped to help restore communications infrastructure. Hurricane Helene has wreaked havoc across six states, causing over 100 deaths and severing communication and road access in some western North Carolina areas.

Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX owns Starlink, has endorsed Trump in the upcoming elections against Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, Trump visited a storm-damaged furniture store in Valdosta, Georgia. Estimates for the storm damage range from $15 billion to over $100 billion, as reported by insurers and forecasters.

(With inputs from agencies.)