Sen. John Thune talks Federal Hurricane Funding [Video]

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) – The devastation from Hurricane Helene is still being assessed after it made landfall just 11 days ago. Controversy has been circulating on whether the federal government is doing enough in response.

All of this as Hurricane Milton barrels toward Florida.

Dakota News Now spoke with South Dakota Senator John Thune to learn more about federal funding in regard to disasters.

The death toll from Hurricane Helene has continued to rise and has now reached 227 victims, and the number of those still missing remains unclear.

Countless homes and businesses have been turned to rubble.

“There’s a tremendous amount of damage and loss of life, so our hearts go out to the people in those affected states,” Senator John Thune said.

As recovery efforts continue, federal response has taken center stage. FEMA said Monday that federal assistance has now exceeded $210 million, but some are asking whether more must be done.

“The question is, do we need to go back ahead of …