The White House angrily refuted claims about being slow to respond to the recent devastating storm that claimed the lives of at least 130 on Monday, a topic further challenging the upcoming US election campaign. 

With hundreds still unaccounted for across several southeastern US states and the death toll rising, President Joe Biden's decision to travel to storm-ravaged North Carolina on Wednesday seems more like a political move than a genuine effort to monitor rescue efforts. 

In a divisive twist, Biden accused former President Donald Trump of spreading lies, after Trump claimed the federal government was neglecting the disaster caused by Hurricane Helene and denying aid to his supporters.

"He's lying," Biden told reporters in the Oval Office, adding that he had spoken to North Carolina governor Ray Cooper "and he told him he's lying. I don't know why he does it... that's simply not true, and it's irresponsible."

On CNN, Cooper, a Democrat, said, when asked about Trump's accusations of Republican victims being ignored, "It makes no difference who you are. If you need help, we are going to provide it," explaining, "And if there is ever a time where we all need to come together and put politics aside, it is now."

At least 130 people lost their lives due to the storm and the subsequent flooding, with fatalities reported as follows: 57 in North Carolina, 29 in South Carolina, 25 in Georgia, 14 in Florida, four in Tennessee, and one in Virginia, according to local authorities and media reports compiled by AFP.

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Emergency workers searched for hundreds still unaccounted for across the ravaged states, where torrential rains wreaked havoc. Their efforts included restoring water and power supplies, reestablishing cell phone service, clearing fallen trees, delivering essential supplies, and registering residents for disaster assistance.

Biden accused of 'sleeping'

Trump is scheduled to visit Georgia on Monday, while Biden heads to North Carolina, both crucial swing states as elections approach.

In Valdosta, Trump promised to "bring lots of relief material, including fuel, equipment, water, and other essentials" to assist those affected. "The federal government is not being responsive," he told reporters. "The vice president, she's out someplace, campaigning, looking for money," he said, referring to his election rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.

"We're not talking about politics now," he said later, wearing a bright red "Make America Great Again" hat while standing in the rubble of a furniture store.

Harris canceled campaign events to return to Washington on Monday for a briefing on the federal response. "Over the past few days, our nation has endured some of the worst destruction and devastation that we have seen in quite some time," she remarked afterward. "And we have responded with our best, with the best folks who are on the ground and here doing the kind of work that is about rising to a moment of crisis."

In response to Trump's criticism that he was "sleeping" instead of addressing the storm damage, Biden defended his weekend in Delaware, asserting he was working "the whole time." Typically, when a major natural disaster strikes the US, the federal government responds upon states' requests, with the President’s role primarily focused on overseeing and coordinating aid, including funding.

Scientists indicate that climate change likely contributes to the rapid intensification of hurricanes, as warmer oceans provide more energy for these storms. Biden emphasized this point on Monday, highlighting the urgent link between climate change and extreme weather events. "Absolutely, positively, unequivocally, yes, yes, yes, yes," Biden told reporters in the Oval Office when asked if climate change was to blame for the trail of destruction left by the storm.