By Miranda Nazzaro
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said Tuesday the aerospace company is sending more Starlink terminals to North Carolina following the widespread devastation of Hurricane Helene.
“Since the Hurricane Helene disaster, SpaceX has sent as many Starlink terminals as possible to help areas in need,” Musk wrote in a post on the social platform X. “Earlier today, @realDonaldTrump alerted me to additional people who need Starlink Internet in North Carolina. We are sending them terminals right away.”
Former President Trump, who said he spoke with Musk earlier this week about providing Starlink internet service, lauded Musk for the assistance.
“Great news. So badly needed in North Carolina, where there is virtually no communication. Starlink was the perfect answer, and Elon Musk, as usual, came through. Thank you Elon!!! DJT” Trump wrote on Truth Social overnight Wednesday.
There are 40 Starlink satellite systems available in North Carolina to help with responder communications, and an additional 140 satellites are being shipped to assist with communications infrastructure restoration, the White House said earlier this week. One Starlink will be deployed for every county’s emergency operations center to help with communications.
Helene made landfall last Thursday in Florida as a Category 4 hurricane, bringing heavy winds and rainfall to multiple states across the south. At least 166 people have been killed, The Associated Press reported, and millions have been left without power.
More than 1.2 million customers still had no power Wednesday in the Carolinas and Georgia, where the hurricane ravaged several inland areas in the states.
Trump visited Georgia on Monday to tour storm damage and expressed support for those dealing with the aftermath. He indicated he will also visit North Carolina.
Musk is the founder of SpaceX, which operates Starlink satellites. Musk has endorsed Trump in the 2024 campaign and has become increasingly vocal and supportive of right-wing views on his social media platform X, which he purchased as then-Twitter in 2022.
President Biden will visit North Carolina on Wednesday, during which he will land in Raleigh for a meeting with the Emergency Operations Center. He said he expects to visit Georgia and Florida “as soon as possible” to survey the damage.
Vice President Harris will visit Georgia on Wednesday and then to North Carolina “in the coming days.”