Hard to know what the political implications of this terrible disaster will be. Western NC tends to vote heavily Republican, but Asheville is a Democratic enclave. Can FEMA make things visibly better by election day? Questionable. Republicans will soon start to blame the Biden administration for a slow response even though roads are destroyed or impassable. TN Republicans are already trying to do that, though TN Gov Bill Lee did not declare a state of emergency seeking federal assistance until the evening of Sept. 27 after a day of prayer and fasting. to "seek God's hand of mercy." Biden approved it immediately. Sadly and cynically, a PR war will now be waged. Expect Fox News reports on how Biden is asleep at the wheel.